A seminal set from Linton Kwesi Johnson – the record that maybe pushed him over the top, and really marked him as one of the strongest new voices in reggae at the end of the 70s! Linton's a poet, not a singer – but his style is also more focused and clear in comparison to some of the dee jay material of the generation, which not only helped to get his messages across very strongly, but also open ears to his music that might not have otherwise been listening to material of this nature. Of course, it also helped that the set was issued by Island Records at a time when it seemed they could do no wrong – but the record is definitely Johnson's own, as he wrote both the words and music, and produced with some great help from Dennis Bovell on mixing. Titles include "It Noh Funny", "Sonny's Lettah", "Independent Intavenshan", "Fite Dem Back", "Reality Poem" and "Forces of Vicktry", plus "Want Fi Goh Rave", and "Time Come". This set features a bonus LP of dubs and mixes, and added artwork too! LP, Vinyl record album

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Great mid 70s work from Jimmy Cliff – and a record from that moment when he was trying to really burst out globally, and not just as a straight reggae artist too! By that, we don't mean that Jimmy was going for anything too commercial – as he still arranged and produced the set himself, but with a really universal vibe that wraps influences from soul into a Jamaican groove – in a way that really does a great job of transcending standards, and helping Cliff find his own groove! Titles include the standout cuts "Brother" and "No 1 Rip Off Man" – plus "Long Time No See", "Look What You've Done To My Life Devil Woman" and "Money Won't Save You". CD

The debut album from Cynthia Schloss – a reggae singer who'd go on to bring a whole new level of soul to Jamaican music! In fact, the album's maybe half reggae, and half soul – delivered by Cynthia with a range that would have been right at home in American soul in the early 70s, especially given that the pace of most tracks is a lot more laidback than some of the disco work that was taking over America at the time! Yet the grooves aren't exactly the usual Jamaican style, either – as they've got a bubbling vibe and upbeat quality that almost reminds us a bit of crossover soul from the same time – a bit like some of the best work on RCA that would peak on AM radio, with a real universal appeal that's only furthered by Schloss' vocals. Titles include "Love Forever", "I Won't Cry", "There's A Fire", "Red Rose", "Winston B", "Guava Jelly", "Hurry To Me", and "Nightfall". LP, Vinyl record album

A great global showcase for the growing power of Bob Marley – an excellent live set recorded in London in 1975, and a date that shows Bob and The Wailers working with the crowd in this really universal spirit! The group's almost got a funkier current here than on some of their studio record – and their sharp edges are warmed up by female backing vocals which seem almost to act as a bridge between Marley's lead, and the very enthusiastic spirit of the crowd! The whole thing's great – and titles include totally burning versions of "Trenchtown Rock", "Burnin & Lootin", "Them Belly Full", "Lively Up Yourself", "No Woman, No Cry", "I Shot The Sheriff", and "Get Up Stand Up". LP, Vinyl record album

Quite possibly THE Bob Marley album – or at least the record that really exploded the man from the Jamaican scene into huge global fame – thanks to a universally soulful sound that moved the record way past the barriers that were holding the rest of Kingston sounds back from the mainstream! The record still has Bob working with the original Wailers lineup that includes Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh – both of whom have enough of a presence here to really rise Marley up, and point him in the majestic direction he'd take on his later solo albums. The record features the classics "Get Up Stand Up" and "I Shot The Sherriff" – and other titles include "Duppy Conqueror", "One Foundation", "Pass It On", "Burnin & Lootin", "Hallelujah Time", and "Small Axe". Also includes 3 bonus tracks – "Reincarnated Souls", "No Sympathy" and 'The Oppressed Song". CD