The Clarendonians - "The Tables Gonna Turn" (3:18)
Ken Parker - "When You're Gone" (2:09)
Sound Dimension - "Traveling Home" (3:38)
Errol Dunkley - "Get Up Now" (2:33)
John Holt - "My Heart Is Gone" (2:50)
Freedom Singers & Larry Marshall - "Monkey Man" (2:13)
The Ethiopians - "Let The Light Shine" (2:56)
Im & David - "Money Maker" (2:39)
The Viceroys - "Lose & Gain" (2:37)
Review: Soul Jazz Records continues to trawl through the vast archives of Jamaica's Studio One label and its many offshoots. This time round, they're focusing on uplifting, feel-good rocksteady and soulful reggae cuts from the late 1960s and early '70s. As you'd expect, it's an excellent collection that not only showcases classic cuts and well-worn "riddims", but also obscurities and the sort of rare gems that make reggae collectors go weak at the knees. With such stars as Alton Ellis, John Holt, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, the Heptones and Jackie Mittoo all featured, and exhaustive sleeve notes from reggae scholar Rob Chapman, Rocksteady Got Soul is another essential Studio One compilation from the reliable Soul Jazz Records crew.
Winston Curtis - "Be Thankful For What You've Got" (5:35)
Trevor Hartley - "It Must Be Love" (3:24)
Shut Up & Dance - "Java Bass" (3:51)
Brown Sugar - "Black Pride" (3:25)
The Terrorist - "RK1" (6:26)
Black Harmony - "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" (7:18)
Pebbles - "Positive Vibrations" (3:46)
The Ragga Twins - "Ragga Trip" (4:36)
Funk Masters - "Love Money" (6:30)
Cosmic Idren - "Compelled" (3:36)
Harry Beckett - "No Time For Hello" (8:44)
Janet Kay & Alton Ellis - "Still In Love" (3:31)
Sandra Reid - "Ooh Boy" (3:47)
Tabby Cat Kelly - "Don't Call Us Immigrants" (5:46)
Brown Sugar - "I'm In Love With A Dreadlocks" (3:24)
Review: The latest collection from the mighty Soul Jazz draws together a myriad of different styles favoured by black British sound systems, not only reflecting the roots of different communities reaching these shores but also the UK twist that that music has received as result. Reggae forms the backbone of the collection, from the blissful consciousness of Pebbles' 'Positive Vibrations' to the more protest-orientated Brown Sugar's 'Black Pride' and Tabby Cat Kelly's 'Don't Call Us Immigrants'. But the presence of Shut Up & Dance, Ragga Twins, Ray Keith aka The Terrorist and Digital Mystikz helps show the uniquely British areas into which sound system culture evolved - rave, breakbeat, jungle and dubstep.
Ed Watson & Brass Circle - "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (5:08)
Devon Russell - "We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue" (4:09)
Seventh Extension - "Reasons" (5:41)
Derrick Harriott - "Brown Baby" (4:06)
Ed Watson & Brass Circle - "Let's Groove" (4:20)
Pete Campbell & The Sunshine Girls - "Don't Let Love Get You Down" (3:42)
Webby Jay - "In The Rain" (3:47)
Glen Adams Affair - "Just A Groove" (3:17)
Review: 'Reggae disco' might not be a very well-known style, but Soul Jazz are hardly intimidated by any sense of obscurity, especially when it comes to a fusion between their two most prized genres. Homing in on reggae disco versions of funk, soul and disco classics, this curt but precious compilation features reggae covers of classics by Michael Jackon, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Candi Staton, with coverers including Risco Connection and the Crashers.
Jackie Mittoo & The Soul Brothers - "James Bond" (2:59)
The Skatalites - "Dick Tracy" (2:43)
The Soul Brothers - "James Bond Girl" (2:58)
The Skatalites - "Guns Of Navarone" (3:14)
Roland Alphonso & The Studio One Orchestra - "From Russian With Love" (4:19)
The Soul Brothers - "Thunderball" (3:19)
Jackie Mittoo - "Hang 'Em High" (3:51)
The Soul Brothers - "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" (3:13)
The Soul Brothers - "007" (3:14)
Lee Perry & The Wailers - "Pussy Galore" (2:49)
The Soul Brothers - "Mr Flint" (2:44)
The Skatalites - "Ball Of Fire" (3:09)
The Soul Brothers - "James Bond Danger Man" (2:11)
The Soul Brothers - "Lawman" (3:12)
The Skatalites - "Black Orpheus" (2:56)
The Skatalites - "Exodus" (2:51)
The Skatalites - "Dr Kildare" (2:31)
The Soul Brothers - "Fiddler On The Roof" (2:32)
Review: If you assumed it was possible to live without a ska version of the James Bond theme tune then prepare to be taught one of life's great lessons. Assumption is the mother of all f**k ups, basically. Fear not, though, what was a one-off pressing by Soul Jazz for Record Store Day in 2020 is once again available, only this time on gatefold LP rather than five 7" singles. Perhaps not as authentic or ideal for DJs, nevertheless the contents are just as captivating. Celebrating, in part at least, the bond between Bond and the Caribbean - author Ian Fleming lived on Jamaica and several stories are set in the region, and filmed on said island (Dr No, Live & Let Die, The Man With The Golden Gun, No Time To Die) this is evocative stuff. Stick it on, kick back with a Martini, and picture yourself casing out a mark at some beachside party spot, stunning partner in hand, senses subtly on high alert.
Review: A true staple of the Soul Jazz compilation canon, Studio One Rockers originally came out in 2001 and has remained an authoritative overview of the Studio One sound ever since. As one of the major powerhouses of Jamaica's music industry during those heady years of ska, rocksteady, reggae and dancehall, Studio One's legacy deserves acknowledgement from anyone with even a passing interest in the music. This collection takes in legends like Horace Andy, Dawn Penn, Johnny Osbourne and Jackie Mittoo, and shines a light on many other iconic artists with that perfect balance of broad appeal and deep-rooted knowledge that Soul Jazz nail when they pull a collection together.
Review: Soul Jazz returns with another of its supremely assembled and vital compilations, and this one focuses on reggae. Down Beat Special offers a thrilling journey through timeless hits carefully selected from Jamaica's revered Studio One Records, the epitome of reggae excellence. From Michigan and Smiley's 'Nice Up The Dance' to Dawn Penn's 'No, No, No' and The Wailers' 'Simmer Down,' this collection pulsates with iconic tracks. Originally a limited edition 7" box set, this remastered edition boasts 18 rare gems, including works by The Skatalites, Bob Marley, and Horace Andy.
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