One of the unsung movers and shakers of 1970s reggae, Ivan Smith worked as in-studio producer and record promoter for both Bunny Lee and Channel 1, whilst quietly producing and releasing his own catalogue of high-quality 45s.
Here is the first ever compilation, pure classics, all taken from master tapes, in a lovely silkscreened sleeve.
Ace.

Woozy, extended Clive Hunt instrumental. Piano-as-steel-drum. Pretty killer.

Creole’s personal rough mixes of sides recorded at the same late ‘70s session as the Channel One killer Beware.
Fishers Of Man is an extended mix, and Walls Of Jericho is teamed with a version retrieved from dubplate, adding synth.

Recording as Jah Carlos in 1976. Massive, glorious Soul Syndicate rhythm, with blazing horns, soulful reasoning, tremendous dub.

Upful, late-eighties singjaying, with nuff namechecks and squiddly diddlies, over a crisp, bustling rhythm.

Stark, powerful singjaying over tough, livewire digi; produced in Jamaica by Delroy Francis for his Claypot imprint, and originally released in 1987.
These are the original mixes, newly transferred from the master tapes.

Gritty sing-jay reportage, originally released in 1987 on a Claypot 12”, back-to-back with Terrorists. Produced in JA by Delroy Francis, more widely known nowadays as the guvnor of the Park Heights label and record shop in Brooklyn.

A melodica instrumental right up there with his very best cuts. A lot more exalted — Rockers International style — than his Studio One killers.

Celebrated late-eighties soundboy business — another of his very best, revived at last.

Highly recommended — previously unreleased digi fire from the same sessions and mould as He Was A Friend.

First time on 45 for this excursion on the heavy Roots Radics rhythm used for Barrington Levy’s Englishman.

Blazing start and great delivery, but rather treading water over killer late-80s digi.
Same vintage as his massive Dangerous hit for Redman. Not to mention the more voluble Don’t Touch The Crack by Dignitary Stylish.
Zinging with raw dubplate-style presence, like the other two 45s on this rhythm.

Characteristically masterful singjaying; duetting with himself, for added dancehall vibes. The message calls for self-respect to be tempered by humility… probably a bit rich coming from KK. Sick rhythm.

Hurting, heartfelt sufferers about youth unemployment in hard times.
Our favourite of these three new Jah Lifes from Digikiller.
All three run the same ruff digi rhythm, stripped and venomous on the flip.
All three are previously unreleased.

‘It’s not of my own will to idle on a corner.’

A previously unreleased mix of the great man toasting over a one-away Satta excursion, for Lloydie Slim; and a previously unreleased dub.

Three the hard way — the Don at the mic, Roots Radics, Scientist — in the early eighties. Previously unreleased.

Chinafrica was Wayne Chin’s next project, after his group Creole disbanded in the early-eighties.
Two shark-attack do-overs of foundational tunes, startlingly different: a deadly, sick, atmospheric Declaration Of Rights, with shades of Wackies; and a sprightly, in-your-face, digi Baba Boom Time, originally stepping out on Thunderbolt in 1987.