An excellent "comeback" LP for Ernest Ranglin, though astute observers realize he never really went away in the first place! Ranglin was always able to move back and forth easily between the worlds of groovy jazz, playing alongside Monty Alexander on some of his finest 70s sides, and Jamaican studio work, serving guitar duties at Studio One, cutting some of the rhythms that would serve as the foundation for much of the Jamaican music throughout the years! This set finds him in fine form, rendering excellent jazzy versions of numerous classic rhythms with a crack band that includes old mates Monty Alexander on piano, Roland Alphonso on saxes, and funky drummer Idris Muhammad! 11 tracks in all: "Congo Man", "Surfin'", "King Tubby MeetsThe Rockers", "Satta Massagana", "54-46 (Was My Number)", "None Shall Escape The Judgement", "Ball Of Fire", and "Black Disciples" CD

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An incredible record from reedman Harold McNair – one of the key Jamaican jazz players who hit the London scene in the same post-colonial wave as Joe Harriott and Shake Keane – and maybe our favorite of the bunch! Harold's a hell of a talent on both tenor and flute – and although he might be best known for his background work on late 60s Donovan albums, he really soars here as a soloist – working with Ornette Coleman group members David Izenzon on bass and Charles Moffett on drums – both of whom swing wonderfully in McNair's company! The album bills Izenzon and Moffett strongly on the cover – as if they're one of the main attractions – but what's most compelling is the way that McNair and pianist Alan Branscombe bring the American musicians into their own sort of groove – a modal, soulful style that's completely sublime – and which makes the album a killer all the way through. Titles include the original "Affectionate Fink" – plus great takes on "I Love You", "O Barquinho", "You Stepped Out Of A Dream", and "Here's That Rainy Day" – all soulful swingers. CD

Early work from Gwen Guthrie – produced by Sly & Robbie, but with a sweet modern soul sound that's got a lot less of their influence than you'd guess! The sound is much more New York than Jamaica – and that's probably due to some great instrumental backing on keyboards by the likes of Harry Whitaker, Bernie Worrell, and Wally Badarou – all massive talents that bring a nice sweet jazzy sound to the best cuts on the record. There's a definite 80s sing-song groove going on – in that not-yet-top-of-the-charts soul sound that you'd hear on the better small urban stations at the time – moving back and forth nicely, in a strong link between the mainstream and the underground clubs! Tracks include "Hopscotch", "Seventh Heaven", "Oh What A Life", "Younger Than Me", and a nice cover of Sly Stone's "Family Affair". CD features 3 bonus tracks too – "Padlock (Larry Levan special mix)", "Hopscotch (Larry Levan rmx inst)", and "Peanut Butter (Larry Levan special mix)". CD

Trombonist Samuel Blaser pays tribute to the legacy of Jamaican music – but in a way that also resonates strongly with some of his more jazz-based releases too! The record's mostly instrumental – but does have vocals from Carroll Thompson on two tracks, and Lee Scratch Perry on two more – yet the main focus is on the horn work, with Blaser echoing earlier greatness of players like Vin Gordon or Don Drummond – but in a more jazz-based setting with work from Alex Wilson on keyboards and Hammond, Soweto Kinch on alto, Michael Blake on tenor, and Alan Weekes on guitar. The set also features guest work from Steve Turre on one track – and titles include "Rainy Days", "Silver Dollar", "End Of The Beginning", "Rainy Days Dub", "Chronicles", "Beautiful Bed Of Lies", and "Green Island Dub". CD

A stunning look at the early years of the Jamaican music scene – tracks from the years before ska, rocksteady, and reggae really took over – but which really helped set the scene for years to come! All the work here is from the hands of Duke Reid – soon to be known for his famous mid 60s productions on the Treasure Isle label – already here with his ear to the ground, capturing the unique shifts in the island's culture – some in mento and calypso, some in jazz, and others in modes that are very similar to the sounds to come! You'll recognize more than a few names here from important later work – and the huge 84 track package features dozens of titles that appear here on CD for the first time ever – countless great gems from artists who include Derrick Morgan, Roland Alphonso, Cosmo & Dennis, The Prodigals, Derrick & Patsy, Laurel Aitken, Chuck & Dobby, Basil Gabbidon, Hortense Ellis, The Moonlighters, Eric Morris, Frank Cosmo, Monty & Roy, Rico Rodriguez, Jiving Juniors, Alvin & Cecil, Lord Power, Laurel Aitken, and even Duke Reid himself. CD