Forget the cheapo look of the cover, as the set's a classic batch of gems from the Trojan Records catalog – 2CDs worth of material, with 55 titles that go way past the obvious hits – served up in a great mix of rocksteady and early reggae modes, and filled with the kind of tunes that instantly bridged the space between Kingston and London at the end of the 60s! The package takes off from a mainstream Trojan set from back in the day, and offers the much deeper dig that we love from the Doctor Bird label – tunes that make the whole thing more of a journey of discovery than you might guess from the simple statement of the title. Tracks include "Build It Up" by Tito Simon, "Sweet Sensation" by The Melodians, "This Is Reggae Music" by Zap Pow, "Floating" by Greyhound, "Black Pearl" by Horace Faith, "Liquidator" by Harry J Allstars, "Elizabethan Reggae" by Boris Gardiner & The Love People, "I Need Your Sweet Inspiration" by The Pioneers, "Red Red Wine" by Tony Tribe, "Think About That" by Dandy Livingston, "Down In The Boondocks" by Delroy Williams, "Reggae From The Ghetto" by John Holt, "Yesterday Man" by Nicky Thomas, "Who's That Lady" by Paris Connection, and lots lots more! CD

A heavy package of treasures from the vaults of Studio One – tracks from the early days of the label that really illustrate the special touch that Studio One had right from the start! The work here is some of the most soulful from the early years of reggae – Jamaican music that's clearly drawn strong inspiration from American work, but which is already really finding its own sort of special groove – mellow burning rocksteady, early reggae, and more – still sounding every bit as righteous and powerful as it did back in the day! This double-length set brings together both volumes of the original compilations – and titles include "Peeping Tom" by Brentford All Stars, "Honey Come Back" by Jerry James, "Get You Off My Mind" by Larry Marshall, "I'll Be Waiting" by Alton Ellis, "Got To Be Sure" by Horace Andy, "My Eyes" by John Holt, "He Don't Love You" by Larry Williams, "Psychedelic Rock" by Ernest Ranglin, "Life" by Hortense Ellis, "Always Something There To Remind Me" by Winston Francis, "Old Time Saying" by Burning Spear, "Riddle I This" by Dennis Alcapone, "Feel Good All Over" by King Sporty, "Zion Higher" by Burning Spear, and "Home Home Version" by Dennis Alcapone & Ken Boothe. CD

A great collection of work from King Jammy's studios – all cuts recorded at the end of the 80s, with a definite digital feel – but a sound that's still a lot warmer and more soulful than bigger mainstream work of the time! As the title promises, there's plenty of dancehall in the mix – but many of the grooves are more laidback and mellow – bridging the space between the bigger global hits in the style, and a dubbier, rootsier generation of reggae too – which seems to bubble forth here on most tracks, and just get a slight digital reworking by Jammy. The 2LP set features a very well-selected batch of material from these years – titles that appeared on labels like Greensleeves, Superpower, and Unity Sounds, with titles that include "Icky All Over" by Wayne Smith, "In The Area" by Johnny Osborne, "The Exit" by Dennis Brown, "Don't Touch The Crack" by Little Kirk, "Dancehall Vibes" by Anthony Johnson, and "Jack Slick" by Junior Murvin. LP, Vinyl record album

A selection of rare tracks that appeared on the Bongo Man label from Studio One – the company's very hip imprint in the roots reggae generation – and a package that also includes a number have never been released on LP! Titles include "Ring A Ting" by Prince Jazzbo, "Stepping Into Zion" by El Tibby & The Stingers, "Nanny Version Skank" by Big Joe, "Burn Collie" by Cliff Stewart, "Jah Jah Rock" by Emperor DP, "Jah Jah Way" by Jackie Bernard, "Little Joe" by Prince Jazzbo, "Burn Collie (version)" by The New Establishment, "Got To Be Cool" by The Classics, "Money Worries" by Ernest Wilson, "Soul People" by The Beltones, and the extended "Skylarking (disco mix)" by Sleepy & Jazzbo. CD

Two rare compilations from Trojan Records – back to back in a single set, with an insane number of bonus tracks too! Both records capture that time when the groove was moving from rocksteady to early reggae – still yet to hit global fame, which makes for a really nice mix of music from an array of lesser-knowns who were getting circulation outside of Jamaica by Trojan. The set really digs deep, way past the bigger tracks and hits – and there's a fair bit of artists here who might be new to anyone but the more serious reggae collectors. Plenty of work here resonated strongly with the growing UK reggae market for reggae at the end of the 60s – and alongside soulful vocals, there's a nicely laidback groove on most numbers – never too overproduced, and filled with plenty of surprises along the way! The set features the full tracks from both records in the title, plus 31 bonus tracks – and most cuts are new to CD – a massive lineup of work from The Slickers, GG All Stars, Maytones, Keeling Backford, Lloyd & Robin, Gladstone & The Followers, Charlie Ace, Trevor & Keith, Vernon Buckley & Alvin Ranglin, and Eric Monty Morris. CD

A great collection of rare gems from the Studio One label – one that's filled with unusual material that we've not seen elsewhere! Some of the tracks are alternate mixes, some are unissued recordings – and there's also a nice range of material that goes past the more familiar early period of the label, which is normally the most reissued. Titles include "Hush Up (unreleased stereo mix)" by Larry & Alvin, "I Need You Girl (stereo mix)" by Larry Marshall, "Mr Moses (stereo mix)" by Lloyd Charmers, "I'm In Love With You (original JA mix)" by Lloyd Williams, "Freedom Justice Equality" by Alf & Teep, "Torture & Flames" by Jackie Bernard, "Mark I Word" by Winston Prince, "Give Me True Love (stereo mix)" by The Meditators, "Down In The Bone Yard" by The Three Tops, "Down By The Sore (7" version)" by The Silvertones, and "Jay Dip (stereo mix)" by Prince Jazzbo. CD

An incredible document of the Kingston scene in the 70s – and one that really opens up our understanding of reggae culture at the time! The set features portions of two radio shows hosted by Winston Williams – one from 1977, one from 1978 – both complete with announcer intros and a really great blend of music – reggae cuts from the time, including a number of exclusive disco mixes, served up at just the right vibe for the audiences in Jamaica at the time. The 1977 show has a surprising current of soul – right down to the intro theme song, which is a reworking of Johnny Lytle's "Village Caller" – and both programs really open up the music in a wonderful way, especially as Williams puts the sounds in local context with some of his spoken bits – done in this very cool English-accented voice! CD

A huge collection of rare singles from the vaults of the legendary Treasure Isle label – a company who was home to some of the hippest tracks from the early days of ska – and also did a great job of getting the music to the UK scene as well! This package goes past the familiar Treasure Isle hits, as the 7" singles feature previously unreleased tracks and rare alternate versions – all packaged up in a great box set with a mighty sharp look. The whole thing is great – nice and raw, and very different than ska revival material of later years – and this 3CD set features all the material that was on the 7" box set done a few years back, plus 74 more bonus tracks! Core cuts include "You Wish Me Bad (take 6)" by The Spanishtonians, "Love Me Or Leave Me (take 1)" by Owen & Leon Silvera, "I'm All Alone (take 1)" by Frank Cosmo, "Oh Misery (take 2)" by The Duke Reid Group, "Thinking Of The Future" by Stranger Cole, "Fooling Around" by The Rio Grandes, "Renegade (take 1)" by The Zodiacs, "Smokey Ska (take 1)" by The Baba Brooks Band, "Practice What You Preach" by Owen & Leon Silvera, "My True Confession (take 1)" by The Silvertones, "Til My Dying Day" by Winston & Slim, "Road To Nowhere (orig mix)" by Lyn Taitt & The Baba Brooks Band, "What A Bailing (take 1)" by Duke Reid Group, The Army Is Searching (take 2)" by Basil Caral & Group, "Storm Warning (take 1)" by Lyn Taitt & the Boys, "Want Me Cock (take 1)" by Owen & Leon Silvera, and "How Know Your Friend (take 1)" by Derrick Morgan – with bonus material by Duke Reid, The Movers, Justin Hinds, Tommy McCook, Froggy, Lynn Tait, Eric Morris, Baba Brooks, Lloyd & Glenn, Derrick & Naomi, The Miracles, The Zodiacs, The Melodies, Sensations, and many many more. CD

There's been plenty of great reggae collections issued over the years, but this excellent series seems to do a better job than most – in part because it bypasses the hits, and ends up pulling together some wonderful work from the wider world of the Jamaican 7" single! The tracks on here were originally issued on a variety of labels that now live under the Trojan umbrella – imprints that include Randy's, Amalgamated, Grape, Treasure Isle, and Duke – and with that variety of sources, there's also a great variety of sounds too – nicely gritty work that booms out of the speakers nice and loud – as you'll hear on cuts that include "Soup (version)" by JJ All Stars, "La La" by The Inspirations, "Arabian Dub" by Tommy McCook & The Supersonics, "Red Ash" by Carl Bryan, "Lottery Spin" by Zap Pow, "Warricka Hill" by The Love Generation, "Reggae Dance" by Owen Gray, "Feel All Right" by The Cables, and "A Testimony" by Upsetter Pilgrims. LP, Vinyl record album

A heady helping of rare singles from the farther reaches of the indie scene in early reggae – labels that include Duke, Grape, Splash, High Note, Explosion, and JJ – all tiny companies that are now part of the larger Trojan Records empire! The work here is nicely varied – as many styles as promised in the title, but with maybe the soulful edge of rocksteady at the core – a strong focus on the kind of late 60s singles that had more than enough depth to cross the Atlantic and get plenty of play on the London scene too! Titles include "Old Time (dub)" by GG All-stars, "Black Power" by Dave Barker, "Wondering" by The Hippy Boys, "Let My People Go" by The Rulers & The Carib Beats, "It's Too Late" by Chosen Few, "Going In Circles" by Charmers All Stars, "Love Brother" by Herman, "Rim Bim Bam" by The Ethiopians, "Fire Fire (take 3)" by Tony & His Group, "Night Of Love" by Ansel Collins, "Pony Ride" by Winston Groovy & Pat Rhoden, "Dee's Special" by Lynn Taitt & The Jets, and "Going In Circles" by Charmers All Stars. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the first-ever albums issued by Clement Coxsone Dodd on the Kingston scene – and the start of a huge legacy of music to come on his Studio One record label! The work here is already marking new territory for Jamaican music – strongly influenced by American jazz and R&B of the postwar years, but already finding rhythms that would really burst out in the years of ska and rocksteady to come – as horns and vocals mix it up with rhythms that are definitely different than anything that was getting recorded up north in the US! The album mixes great vocal group and solo singers with instrumental acts to – in a set list that includes "Lonely Boy" and "My Heart" by The Charmers, "Campus Hop" and "Rub Up" by Dennis Sindrey, "Freedom" by Clancey Eccles, "I Was Wrong" by Winston Samuels, "I Need A Little Loving" by Owen Gray, "Beeston Street Riff" by Clue J & The Blues Blasters, "Little Willie" by Aubrey Adams & The Blues Blasters, "I Love You" by Zoot Simms & Arthur Robinson, and "I've Done You Wrong" and "Donna" by The Blues Busters. LP, Vinyl record album

A long-overdue second volume to the original Pirate's Choice collection from Studio One – which itself was a bit of a stab at Duke Reid and his Treasure Isle label! Legendary Jamaican producer Clement Dodd serves up a host of lost gems from the Studio One catalog – not hits, but some rare mixes and under-heard tracks – all presented in the kind of format that shows just how deep Dodd's reach was back in the day, and how deep the Studio One vaults are to be turning up greatness like this! Titles include "All The Way (alt mix)" by Willie Williams, "You Hold The Handle" by The Conquerors, "Chinese Beauty" by Lennie Hibbert, "Plead My Cause (take 3)" by The Main Roots, "Bongo Skank" by The Soul Rebels, "Heart Breaker" by Cool Operator & The New Establishment, "Jah Light" by Reuben Alexander & The Brentford Disco Set, "Pirate's Choice" by Brentford Rockers, "Sweet Child" by Freddy McGregor, "Dirty People" by Roy Richards, "Father Free Us" by Carlos Malcolm, and both the "original" and "single mix" of "Black Is Black" by Freedom Singers. LP, Vinyl record album

Very righteous work from the legendary catalog of Studio One – material that includes some early reggae numbers mixed with later roots numbers – served up here with a few unreleased tracks as well! Studio one might be known for more soul-based reggae from the late 60s/early 70s, but the tracks here showcase a much deeper current in the label – proof that although Clement Dodd released plenty of his productions during the long career of the company, there's still a lot to be discovered in the vaults! Unreleased tracks include "We're Gonna Climb" by Alton & Zoot, "Hooray" by Wailing Souls, "Rasta Footprints (12" mix)" by Vicedroys, "Afrikan Blood (take 2)" by Judah Eskender Tafari, and "King Alpha (take 2)" by Dennis Lovelock – and the set features unreleased stereo versions of "I Was born A Free Man" by Al & Freddy, "Drought" by Simms & Robinson, and "I Am Free" by The Gaylads" – plus the tunes "Send Another Moses" by The Willows" and "Justice & Peace" by Rodley Brissett. CD

Jamaican Ska, and a whole lot more – a key batch of early Studio One recordings that show just how many styles were criss-crossing in Kingston at the time! There's definitely lots of rhythms here that would make a rude boy happy, but there's also some richly soulful vocals that point the way towards rocksteady and reggae to come – and instrumentation that echoes some of the Jamaican styles of the early 60s, including an initial influence from jazz. The set features some tracks that were only ever out on 45s – and titles include "How Many Times" and "Simmer Down" by The Wailers, "20 75" and "Sucu Sucu" by Roland Alphonso, "Salt Lane Gal" by The Skatalites, "Gal & Boy" by The Gaylads, "Sit down Servant" and "Push Wood" by Jackie Opel, "The Vow" by Jackie & Doreen, "Finger Mash" by The Blue Beat, and "Roll On Sweet Don" by Don Drummond & Roland Alphonso. LP, Vinyl record album

A key style in Jamaican music during the 70s – the mode of the DJ, which often featured a toaster speaking over more familiar tunes – adding spoken bits and new lyrics in the process, in a mode that many claim was a key influence on the birth of hip hop! The relationship between the two forms isn't exactly a straight line – but the approach is somewhat similar – a way sharing enthusiasm about the music and grooves, by adding in new verbal aspects that take things in a whole new direction. And given that toasting tracks were often not as played as straighter vocal numbers, there's plenty here that's new and fresh – a very specific and unusual take on the 70s years of reggae, and one that takes you way past the hits. Titles include "Mava" by Dennis Alcapone, "Monkey Spanner" by Dave & Ansel Collins, "Fire Corner" by King Stitt, "Sunday Dish" by Early B, "We Hot" by Charlie Chaplin, "Tighten Up Skank" by Dillinger, "Blackman's Time" by I Roy, "Buttercup" by Winston Scotland, and "Home Guard" by Mikey Campbell. CD

A great collection of soulful rocksteady gems – and one that really hints at its approach with the use of "cover" in the title! Many of the tunes here are reworkings of American soul tracks – most not major hits, which makes them even cooler cover versions – and shows just how deep a love of soul music influenced the Jamaican scene in the 60s! Tracks are from a variety of classic labels – Trojan, Doctor Bird, Treasure Isle, and others – and titles include "Just A Mirage" by The Uniques, "If I Didn't Love You" by Eric Monty Morris, "Whatcha Gonna Do" by The Techniques, "Something You've Got" by Lee Perry, "Trying To Reach My Goal" by Alton Ellis, "Charade" by Roland Alphonso, and even a surprising take on "Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus" by Harry J All Stars! LP, Vinyl record album

Very righteous work from the legendary catalog of Studio One – material that includes some early reggae numbers mixed with later roots numbers – served up here with a few unreleased tracks as well! Studio one might be known for more soul-based reggae from the late 60s/early 70s, but the tracks here showcase a much deeper current in the label – proof that although Clement Dodd released plenty of his productions during the long career of the company, there's still a lot to be discovered in the vaults! Unreleased tracks include "We're Gonna Climb" by Alton & Zoot, "Hooray" by Wailing Souls, "Rasta Footprints (12" mix)" by Vicedroys, "Afrikan Blood (take 2)" by Judah Eskender Tafari, and "King Alpha (take 2)" by Dennis Lovelock – and the set features unreleased stereo versions of "I Was born A Free Man" by Al & Freddy, "Drought" by Simms & Robinson, and "I Am Free" by The Gaylads" – plus the tunes "Send Another Moses" by The Willows" and "Justice & Peace" by Rodley Brissett. LP, Vinyl record album

Includes tracks by Dennis Brown, Junior Delgado, Black Uhuru, Sly Dunbar, Sugar Minott, John Holt, Third World, Chalice, Barrington Levy, Ini Kamoze, Cocoa Tea, and Gregory Isaacs. CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

Classic productions from the legendary Augustus "Gussie" Clarke – all work recorded at Channel One and King Tubby's – and done in this laidback, soulful groove that's completely sublime! The music here never goes too far over the top – just sweet and subtle rhythms that have this gentle-stepping quality that works perfect with the vocals – which are delivered by some of the most soulful singers on the scene at the time. All horn arrangements are by Tommy McCook and Bobby Ellis, but also have this mellow vibe too – very different than some of the earlier material, often with snakey elements that really work great with the vocals. Album features 11 killers – including "The Right Track" by Tommy McCook", "Guiding Star" by Leroy Sibbles, "How Can I Love Someone" by Delroy Wilson, "Born To Dub You" by Augustus Pablo, "Their Own Way" by Dennis Brown, "Girl Don't Come" by Jacob Miller, and "Love You To Want Me" by Horace Andy. LP, Vinyl record album