Various Artists:
Island Records Presents Reggae Discomixes:
Island/Spectrum:
2xCD:
Out Now:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Released in tandem with a similar Virgin Front Line Discomixes collection, the Island Records set concentrates on the less obvious choices from the label's catalogue. There is no Bob Marley, nor his Wailers nor obvious hits - this is Island at its rawest and most extended. The bug guns that are present and correct tend to line up on the first disc - Third World's spiritual anthem Cool Meditation sits somewhat at odds with the hard-hitting Ku Klux Klan and Want Fi Goh Rave from Brit-reggae favourites Steel Pulse and Linton Kwesi Johnson.
We return to the rootsier end of the market when Rico's languid Children of Sanchez pipes up and heavyweights Black Uhuru serve up the reliable Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, the latter still sounding effervescent with those trademark Sly and Robbie bubbles. The Mighty Diamonds' Pass The Kouchie is a horizontally-challenged smoker's choice, later to be adapted for the '80s chart-topper Pass The Dutchie (Musical Youth) while Old Broom from The Wailing Souls is a welcome inclusion - it's a tricky version to track down.
The second disc marries gems such as Gregory Isaac's superb Night Nurse woozy Cool Down the Pace with the heavier Dreadlocks In The Moonlight from Lee 'Scratch' Perry which utilises the familiar Perry rhythm used on Police and Thieves, but overall comes across as something of a hodge-podge of styles, rather than full-on discomixes per se. The Fabian tune Prophecy is another highlight, mind but it's a telling portent when the lesser-known acts outshine the regulars. Still, at under a tenner, you've got a veritable library of reggae greats to flick thorugh or skank to.
Island Records Presents Reggae Discomixes:
Island/Spectrum:
2xCD:
Out Now:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
We return to the rootsier end of the market when Rico's languid Children of Sanchez pipes up and heavyweights Black Uhuru serve up the reliable Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, the latter still sounding effervescent with those trademark Sly and Robbie bubbles. The Mighty Diamonds' Pass The Kouchie is a horizontally-challenged smoker's choice, later to be adapted for the '80s chart-topper Pass The Dutchie (Musical Youth) while Old Broom from The Wailing Souls is a welcome inclusion - it's a tricky version to track down.
The second disc marries gems such as Gregory Isaac's superb Night Nurse woozy Cool Down the Pace with the heavier Dreadlocks In The Moonlight from Lee 'Scratch' Perry which utilises the familiar Perry rhythm used on Police and Thieves, but overall comes across as something of a hodge-podge of styles, rather than full-on discomixes per se. The Fabian tune Prophecy is another highlight, mind but it's a telling portent when the lesser-known acts outshine the regulars. Still, at under a tenner, you've got a veritable library of reggae greats to flick thorugh or skank to.