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 - Reggae Power (Doctor Bird)(CD)(2020)

 

Solid 2 CD collection of early reggae music. This is the first official anthology of Karl 'J.J' Johnson's reggae productions, comprising the bulk of this output from 1968-1972, including 17 tracks never on CD. Not all of the almost 100 7" singles that he released are included on this release but there is a good sample of his productions. 

The songs on this CD were released on labels such as J.J, Sir J.J, Heavy, and People. The artists represented here are well known to reggae collectors. Among the best are Roy Shirley, Carl Dawkins, The Ethiopians, The Kingstonians, The Clarendonians, and Dennis Alcapone. It is also a pleasure to hear releases by less well-known but equally vital artists like The Rulers, The Linkers, and The Bleechers.

By the way, the original "Reggae Power" LP was released by JJ in 1969. It was the only full length he ever released. While this is not a direct reproduction of that original LP, the cover is exactly the same. This release is geared towards the hard-core reggae fan and collector. Worth getting if you are at all interested in the development of reggae music. Extensive liner notes included. Check out The Kingstonians - Slim Girl.