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Pretty much
the ultimate classic reggae album.
Nigel Bell
While mention
of the term "reggae" normally results in "oh yeah,
Bob Marley," time was when the Jamaican sound was chiefly associated
with the Trojan record label.
Pre-Marley and
the Wailers, Britain bathed to the sunshine sounds of Desmond Dekker,
The Harry J All Stars and Jimmy Cliff.
Reggae and Ska
- their home was Trojan and spin-off labels like Horse.
Young, Gifted
and Black brings together the cream of these tracks.
50 songs in
all. Some were hits on their release, others inspired cover versions
which shot to the top of the charts decades later.
The chances
are every one of these tracks will revive some memory.
So of the hits
first time around, give it up for Bob and Marica's title track,
Desmond's Israelites, Dave and Ansel Collins Double Barrel.
Possibly more
interesting, those originals which inspired others.
Long before
Shaggy's Oh Carolina the were the Folkes Brothers.
Ditto Dandy
Livingstone's Rudy, A Message To You (The Specials), Tony Tribe's
Red Red Wine (UB40), The Melodians Rivers of Babylon (Boney M) and
Nicky Thomas with Love Of The Common People (Paul Young).
So many gems
we can even forgive the inclusion of Judge Dread's Big Seven. Most
of his songs received radio bans when released although now they
sound as radical as a Robin Askwith "Confessions..." movie.
Young, Gifted
and Black is released on Trojan/Sanctuary TJDDD006
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