Various - The Sound of Young Jamaica (Studio One)(2012)(2CDs)

 

It is always exciting to find a Studio One release that I was not aware of! The LP has has been around for a long time but this 2 CD compilation of The Sound of Young Jamaica is new to these eyes. When I saw it listed at Studio One USA, I immediately added it to my cart.  Note, I do not remember that the original LP had these many songs so I think they added quite a few songs and used the same title as the original LP. 

Ok - the music is classic. Studio One (as many have said) is Sun Records and Motown combined but for Jamaica. Quite the simplification but you get the idea. If you like reggae music, you need this and you should buy it. Classic reggae. 'nuff said. Nothing sounds sweeter and original as Studio One reggae.

Various - Fire Over Babylon (Dread, Peace and Conscious Sounds at Studio One) (Soul Jazz Records) (CD) (2021)

 

Another gem from Soul Jazz. The releases under the Soul Jazz Studio One Series are top notch and should be trusted by the public. The theme for this release is "Dread, Peace and Conscious Sounds...". In other words, this release is full of great roots and culture reggae music - my favorite kind. Those that know me personally know that my love of reggae music is unquestioned and my passion for the music released on the Studio One label is unbound. This release satisfies the soul.

Some of the hardcore will complain that Soul Jazz doesn't dig deep enough to find rare tracks from the Studio One vaults. While that may be true, they always include a few treasures. The same is true on this release. For example, The Prospectors - Glory for I is new to me. Go buy! 

The Gladiators - Presenting The Gladiators (Studio One - SOR-017) (CD-Deluxe Edition) (2018)

Presenting..originally released on Studio One in 1978- has been reissued in a Deluxe Edition by Studio One. What a treat! This band, this label, and this release are considered classics in the reggae world. Led by vocalist, Albert Griffiths, The Gladiators, a self-contained band, also backed up other musicians at Studio One. Aside from including the full, original album, this Deluxe Edition, also includes some dubs, some unreleased material, and even some alternate takes.

The Gladiators had some success in the UK with releases on Virgin and Front Line in the mid-70s, but this Studio One release is where I got my first taste of this roots reggae band. This release also comes with a handy and pretty booklet which provides some background of the band some of the members that have passed through the ranks. The music? Well, listening to this album on CD for the first time allows me to hear some background harmony parts that I had not heard on the vinyl release. On some the tracks the bass can really be heard and distorts a little but if you are a fan of reggae music and Studio One, that will not be a problem. By the way, the bass parts are credited to Clinton Fearon and Bagga Walker. Solid!! If you are a fan of reggae music, you should have this. This CD is worth getting even if you prefer vinyl. Enjoy - Listen to Roots Natty

Various Artists - Coxsone' Music (The First Recordings of Sir Coxsone The Downbeat 1960-62) Record B (2015)

Soul Jazz has done it again. Here is Studio One recordings before there actually was ska, let alone reggae music. Lots of interesting jazz and classic R&B on this album. I will buy anything on the Studio One label or associated with Coxson Dodd. However, if you are new to reggae music wait for a while to buy this album. Note - two separate records were released. This is Record B.

Comes with great liner notes so you will get the full story and history of the songs and the label.

Various Artists - Studio One Showcase (The Sound of Studio One in the 1970s) (2016) Vinyl

When it comes to reggae music, Studio One is the equivalent of Sun and Motown records - maybe combined. Yes, there were other labels and other producers that were very influential in reggae music (e.g., Duke Reid), however, it is hard to argue against Clement "Coxson" Dodd of Studio One as being the king. If you have never heard of Studio One, that is ok. Just know that the majority of the early reggae superstars got their start and recorded at Studio One.

Soul Jazz records have been releasing great compilations of Studio One music for a few years now. The latest compilation - Showcase (The Sound of Studio One in the 1970s) - is as good as the other compilations. As the title states, this collection focuses on the sounds that were coming out of Studio One during the 1970s and, while Studio One's golden time was during the 1960s, this collections makes it clear that the output of Studio One could match anything coming out of Channel One or even Lee Perry's Black Ark Studio in the 1970s. If you only buy one reggae record this year, this is not a bad one to get.

Here is a great track from the collection:

Dillinger - Chucky Skank