‘Special dedication to all the people who live inna House… Ain’t no house like Waterhouse… Ain’t no house like Firehouse.’
From the Sleng Teng era but played live. Total, heart-lifting class.
Altogether now…
‘Coxsone Boy’ showed Mr. Dodd how to lick over Studio One’s vast armament of foundational rhythms for the dancehall era to come (and claim them back from Channel One). He knew them all backwards from singing over them on his sound.
Killer selection.
Top-quality, previously-unreleased Sugar, in fine voice at Joe Gibbs. Strong rhythm, too, rich and moody.
Two knockout Wackie’s 12” sides, paired together for maximum pressure. Each originally appeared on separate twelves, around ‘85 and ‘80. The A-side is another deadly Sugar shot, one of so many for Wackie’s. Backed here with the more obscure Zion Land, a stunning, shimmering roots chant. Both sides extended mixes.
Nice, mid-tempo tune, Eek A Mouse style and fashion.
Ace, quirky one-away — effervescent singing on a bubbling rhythm, with ticking drums and deft keyboard interjections.
A locomotive Ben E. King cover and some wistful Deadly Headley. Derrick’s singing is clear as a bell; Striker Lee works the throttle. One to stick next to DM’s Seven Letters.
Bringing together two sevens originally released in Jamaica on the Afro Black label, in the mid-seventies. Rootical domestics, soulfully delivered, over tight, funky playing. You Let Me Down is Wackies’ sublime Black Harmony rhythm, no less.
Collectors’ heaven, utilising Joe ‘Basement Session’ Morgan’s own imprint Fish Tea, going since the 1980s.
The ska originator in his 1964 prime; plus a knees-up Baba Brooks.
Wow… the triumphant comeback of the indomitable King Culture. Super-heavy, Radics-style, wrecking-ball rhythm; proper singing; tough dub. The mixing of the harmony singing is magical.