Description
Bringing together the original cuts of classic tracks such as "Skylarking" and Dawn Penn's instantly recognisable "No, No, No", Studio One Rockers showcases not only the talents of influential artists that were to become synonymous with reggae but also the styles, sounds and above all rhythms that were to dominate Kingston studios into the 1
Bringing together the original cuts of classic tracks such as "Skylarking" and Dawn Penn's instantly recognisable "No, No, No", Studio One Rockers showcases not only the talents of influential artists that were to become synonymous with reggae but also the styles, sounds and above all rhythms that were to dominate Kingston studios into the 1970s and beyond. There are a number of rocksteady classics (hence the name), with tracks like hammond organ maestro Jackie Mittoo's "Hot Milk" and the legendary Marcia Griffiths' "Feel Like Jumping" highlighting the then dramatic change in style away from the faster beats of Ska towards heavy, bass-led tracks with a much slower tempo. But Studio One Rockers is not restricted to this. The semi-instrumental track "Phoenix City" pounds along at a breakneck pace with trumpets belting and, along with "Greedy G", shows the importance a faster beat, a funky take or a "big band" sound also had within the Studio One fold. There are tracks from DJs like Lone Ranger with his "Badder Dan Dem" vocal rhythms and dancehall sounds. Roots artists include one of its biggest stars, Horace Andy, whose then unique falsetto was later emulated by many looking for a similar pop success. Then a pre-teen, reggae star Freddy McGregor also appears on "Bobby Babylon". Freddy, like many of the artists here, was to produce some of his best work under the watchful eye of Studio One's equally famous producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. In many ways a tribute to Coxsone's production skills and rhythms that continue to be rediscovered and recut, Studio One Rockers is essential listening for anyone with even a passing interest in Jamaican music. --Caroline Butler
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Performed by
Track listing1. Real Rock - Sound Dimension 2. Feel Like Jumping - Marcia Griffiths 3. Bobby Babylon - Fredddy McGregor 4. Skylarking - Horace Andy 5. Village Soul - Lennie Hibbert 6. Greedy G - Brentford All-Stars 7. Truth and Rights - Johnny Osbourne 8. Surfin - Ernest Ranglin 9. Eyes Of Danger - Michigan and Smiley 10. No, No, No - Dawn Penn 11. Phoenix City 12. Crabwalking 13. Hot Milk - Jackie Mittoo 14. Badder Dan Dem - Lone Ranger 15. Ethiopia - Cedric Brooks
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