Righteous roots work from the 80s scene – a set that's done with a warmly bubbling vibe that's mighty nice – maybe a bit more old school than so many other productions of the time, and given a really spacious mixing job, thanks to work from Prince Jammy and Scientist! Yet neither of those talents take things too far – just open up the edges of the sound to let the message of Phillip Frazer flow strongly – set to riffing guitar from Chinna Smith, punctuated by organ lines from Jah McKaya – on titles that include "Great Pain We Feel", "Children Of God", "Come Ethiopians", "Righteous Works", "2000 Years", and "Africa". This edition features bonus cuts – "Black Rose", "Ethiopians Dub", "John Saw Them Coming In Disco Style", and "Troubles In Disco Style". LP, Vinyl record album

A pair of great records from the production hands of Prince Jammy – back to back on a single CD! First up is Bitter Sweet – one of those key records that helped Sugar Minott earn the sweet reputation that really echoed his name – as the set's got these easygoing grooves that are perfect for his warmly crackling vocals – richly expressive, but without every sounding overdone – all set up in these great instrumental elements produced and arranged by Prince Jammy! The groove is different than some of the sharper modes that were creeping in during the digital generation – very casual, with a quality that has the easygoing vocals from Minott stepping out nicely on cuts that include "I'm Not For Sale", "Give The People", "Never Too Young", "Be Careful", "Right Track", "Can't Get Over", "Save The Children", and "This World". Reggae On Broadway is a gem from Johnny Osbourne – hardly the kind of album with polish and glam that you'd expect from a Broadway title, and instead this mellow, laidback session that really showcases the genius of Prince Jammy in the studio! Given the date of the recording, things could be a lot more commercial, or a lot cleaner in a digital way – but Jammy keeps the proceedings casual and cool, which lets those magnificent vocals of Osbourne flow out in a really great way. Titles include "Let Me Your Chopper", "Live Right", "Folly Ranking", "Water Pumping", "Reggae On Broadway", "Mr Walker", "Sing Along", and "Can't Leave Jah". Great Doctor Bird package – excellent sound, and very detailed notes! CD

A landmark dancehall set for Johnny Osbourne and Coxsone Dodd! This tremendous album was one of Dodd and Studio One's opening salvos in the transition from the heavy roots era into the dancehall decade, and a bit of a comeback for Osbourne, returning to the Kingston scene from Canada. The set crackles with great energy and the typical tight and right Brentford Road polish over classic rhythms from one of the true originators. 10 tracks in all including "Truth & Rights", "Children Are Crying", "Can't Buy Love", "Jah Promise", "Nah Skin Up", "We Need Love", "Eternal Peace", "Sing Jay Stylee", "Love Jah So" and "Let Me In". CD

Late 70s solo effort from this founding member of the Wailers, self-produced on his own Solomonic label and then licensed to Island for worldwide distribution. A solid roots effort from one of the most significant moments in Jamaican music history, this album maintains Livingston's nicely crafted take on the heavily political roots rock that was both his and the Wailers' signature sound, and features backing from much of the Wailers band, though Robbie Shakespeare takes Family Man's bass spot. Includes a nice version of the Wailers' classic "Get Up, Stand Up", plus "Johnny Too Bad", "Follow Fashion Monkey", "Who Feels It", "Scheme Of Things", "Quite Trying", "Wanted Children" and "Moses Children". LP, Vinyl record album