Track Listing

1. Coconut Rock - The Skatalites
2. Cedric Im Brooks
3. Shockers Rock - Tommy McCook, Richard Ace And The Skatalites
4. Ringo Rock - The Soul Vendors
5. Jericho Skank - Jackie Mittoo and Ernest Ranglin
6. The People Skanking - The New Establishment
7. Money Generator - Karl Bryan and The Afrokats
8. Afrikaan Beat - Lester Sterling
9. Heavy Rock - Sound Dimension
10. In Cold Blood - Sugar Belly
11. Heavenless - Don Drummond
12. Bugaloo - Soul Bros
13. Red Blood - Vin Gordon
14. Push Pull - Pablove Black
15. Sidewalk Doctor - Jackie Mittoo and Brentford Rockers
16. Namibia - Liberation Group
17. Last Call - Brentford Road All Stars
18. Still Calling - Soul Defenders
19. Black Up - Karl Bryan and Count Ossie

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17481 in Music
• Released on: 2002-09-23
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .26 pounds

Customer Reviews

Burnin'!
Find me a record label as dependable and brilliant as Soul Jazz and I'll be very surprised. Their ability to knock out fantastic compilations of Jamaican music knows no bounds. The latest instalment (following the essential Studio One Rockers, DJs, Roots and Soul collections) covers instrumentals from the heyday of ska, many of which (supposedly) were originally meant to have a vocal plastered over the top...

Well, that was the idea. But one listen to the nineteen tracks on show here and you know why Sir Coxsone decided to abandon his original plans. Hey, the grooves on this disc are so rich, dense and thick that they should come with a calorific content table. Featuring the best MUSICIANS the beautiful island has ever produced (Don Drummond, Tommy McCook, Ernest Ranglin and the peerless, immortal Jackie Mittoo) and enough variety to decisively prove once-and-for-all that "all reggae does NOT sound the same", this is the soundtrack to that Indian Summer which, ironically, decided to end the day I bought this album.

Highlights are many. "Shockers Rock" is exactly as its name suggests - a two-part, haunting ska (and almost dub) instrumental with enough twists and turns it could be a fairground ride. "Jericho Skank" is unbelievably fantastic (as it should be with Jamaica's two best musicians on it), and regular Soul Jazz devotees will undoubtedly salivate in delight with the inclusion of Cedric Im Brooks and Sound Dimension cuts. The album may sound samey to some newcomers, but as the winter nights draw in, the rain buckets down and it gets dark before you finish your day at work, this is the perfect album to put a smile back onto your face.

All in all, another fine Soul Jazz product. Not as varied as their Dynamite series (all of which are completely essential, regardless of your musical taste), but excellent all the same. Studio One Dub anyone? We can but hope...

Studio One's no.1 instrumental compilation
Finally and thanks to Soul Jazz a superb compilation of Studio One instrumentals is available.
As the liner notes state these tracks were recorded with unfettered creativity given precedence over commercial considerations. Stretching from ska to rocksteady and reggae the emphasis is on serious playing by Jamaica's best musicians. Standout tracks are the burru drums of Count Ossie on 'Black up', the shocking ska and organ solo in 'Shockers rock', the classic rhythms of 'Heavenless' and 'Heavy rock' and Jackie Mittoo's incredible version of 'Sidewalk doctor'. This fifth Studio One compilation by Soul Jazz offers a rewarding listening pleasure to the discerning reggae fan.

Never mind reading this nonsense, just buy the CD
Another excellent Soul Jazz release. Every track just oozes excellence. I keep coming back to it, and every time I play it I'm surprised that I'd forgotten just how good it is. You don't have to be into Reggae or other Jamaican styles to like it either; I came to this from Soul, Funk and Jazz and anyone who seriously likes them will find something here.