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Downbeat The Ruler: Killer Instrumentals [1/24]
 

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Downbeat The Ruler: Killer Instrumentals [1/24]
"Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals from Studio One" (01/24/2006) Reggae Various Artists, Rounder SelectThe third reissue of the Heartbeat label's trawl through Studio One's back catalog that were originally released in the '80s -- expanded and remastered editions The Best of Studio One and Full Up being the first two -- focuses exclusively on instrumentals. The very nature of Jamaica's recording industry makes instrumentals a minefield. Some really were true instrumentals, composed solely for instruments. Others were instrumental versions of a vocal cut, the inevitable flip side of a single, and while some of these were unique takes on the song, others were merely the A-sides with the vocals stripped off. Then there were dub plates, acetates created specifically for the sound systems, the prototype for dub, and then there's dub itself. The fact that a song's rhythm can be recycled endlessly over the years just adds to the confusion. Originally released in 1988, then reissued in 2006 with a slightly different track list but with much better sound, Downbeat the Ruler is titled after Coxsone Dodd's own sound system and contains examples of most instrumental subtypes. With the 1987 remix of "Throw Me Corn" and the 1965 recording of "Man in the Street" both being dropped from the original edition, the vast majority of the tracks date from the reggae era into the roots age. "Throw Me Corn"'s earlier 10" version is featured and is obviously a dub plate aimed at the sound systems, leaving plenty of space for the DJ. "Banana Walk," in contrast, is pure dub, while "Real Rock" is a take on "Armagideon Time" and shows just how older rhythms can be revived. With the rise of dancehall, everything was elevated (or reduced, depending on one's point of view) to the level of a rhythm. And certainly many of these instrumentals were ripe for recycling -- and they were repeatedly. "Heavy Rock," "Baby Face," and "Rockford Rock" would all find new life in the '80s, while many of the rest were equally influential. Interestingly, regardless of the proliferation of groups and artists credited, they're all aliases, and every track here is actually performed by Studio One's house band. Even those credited to solo artists merely showcased a particular session man, normally the one who composed the song. But don't feel cheated -- these musicians were some of the best, and were the powerhouse behind Dodd's success. It's only right that they should be glorified with their own album. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

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Studio One Instrumentals
 

Studio One Instrumentals

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Studio One Instrumentals
"Studio One Scorcher" (09/23/2002) Jazz General Various Artists, Soul JazzSTUDIO ONE SCORCHER INSTRUMENTALS is an essential collection for any fan of the early reggae/ska era. With a total of 19 tracks, this compilation includes material from The Skatalites, Soul Bros., Sound Dimension, Soul Defenders, and many others. Studio One Scorchers highlights the strength of Studio One's instrumentals. Surprisingly, instrumentals were chosen fifth in Soul Jazz's Studio One series. The foundation and hard selling point of all of Studio One's hits have been the pure strength of their instrumentals. DJ's and singers were able to rock their melodies over top of the gifted instrumentals and make themselves stars. Studio One Scorchers shifts the spotlight onto those who provided the basis for all of the success. Of these 19 tracks, none passes by without note. Many tracks provided hits for reggae stars 20 years after they were originally released, and have come to be associated with twelve-inch singles far removed from their roots at Studio One. The pure quality of the tracks makes it easy for musicians to revisit and shape versions of them. In the liner notes to this collection, these tracks are claimed to have been selected from a possible 915 instrumentals that were, for the most part, equal to the ones that made it onto the album. The sheer volume of output from Studio One is astonishing, combined with the fact that the quality of the recordings never seem to diminish. These instrumentals touch on ska, rocksteady, dub, and begin to hint at the reggae sound of the late '70s. Each instrumental is perfect and has the feel that it could hardly be improved upon. Soul Jazz has once again put together a wonderfully rounded collection of music from Studio One. These purely instrumental tracks have a sound that is entirely complete and lack nothing that a singer or DJ could offer. ~ Matt Whalley

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Studio One Scorcher
 

Studio One Scorcher

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Studio One Scorcher
"Studio One Scorcher" (10/11/2002) Jazz General Various Artists, Soul JazzStudio One Scorchers highlights the strength of Studio One's instrumentals. Surprisingly, instrumentals were chosen fifth in Soul Jazz's Studio One series. The foundation and hard selling point of all of Studio One's hits have been the pure strength of their instrumentals. DJ's and singers were able to rock their melodies over top of the gifted instrumentals and make themselves stars. Studio One Scorchers shifts the spotlight onto those who provided the basis for all of the success. Of these 19 tracks, none passes by without note. Many tracks provided hits for reggae stars 20 years after they were originally released, and have come to be associated with twelve-inch singles far removed from their roots at Studio One. The pure quality of the tracks makes it easy for musicians to revisit and shape versions of them. In the liner notes to this collection, these tracks are claimed to have been selected from a possible 915 instrumentals that were, for the most part, equal to the ones that made it onto the album. The sheer volume of output from Studio One is astonishing, combined with the fact that the quality of the recordings never seem to diminish. These instrumentals touch on ska, rocksteady, dub, and begin to hint at the reggae sound of the late '70s. Each instrumental is perfect and has the feel that it could hardly be improved upon. Soul Jazz has once again put together a wonderfully rounded collection of music from Studio One. These purely instrumental tracks have a sound that is entirely complete and lack nothing that a singer or DJ could offer. ~ Matt Whalley

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Knock Out Ska: Treasure Isle Ska Instrumentals by Various Artists (CD - 08/14/2001)
 

Knock Out Ska: Treasure Isle Ska Instrum...

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Knock Out Ska: Treasure Isle Ska Instrumentals by Various Artists (CD - 08/14/2001)
"Knock Out Ska: Treasure Isle Ska Instrumentals" (08/14/2001) Reggae Various Artists, HeartbeatProducer: Duke Reid. Compilation producers: Chris Wilson, Dro. Recorded at Federal Studio and Treasure Isle, Kingston, Jamaica between 1960 & 1966. Includes liner notes by Chris Wilson. Digitally remastered by Toby Mountain (Northeastern Digital, Southborough, Massachusetts). Personnel: Keni Richards (guitar); Stanley Ribbs, Dennis Campbell, Herman Marquis, Lester Sterling, Roland Alphonso, Tommy McCook (saxophone); Johnny Moore Band (trumpet); Don Drummond (trombone); Gladstone Anderson (piano); Pee Son, Arkland "Drumbago" Parks, Lloyd Knibbs (drums). Liner Note Author: Chris "Poet" Wilson. Recording information: Federal Studios, Kingston Jamaica; Treasure Isle Studio. Few labels have quite as much great vintage ska in their vaults as Duke Reid's Treasure Isle. In the early to mid-'60s the Treasure Isle studio was home at various times to the Skatalites, the Baba Brooks Band, and following the demise of the Skatalites, the legendary trombonist Don Drummond, who served for a while as the label's musical director. This collection of rare and previously unreleased tracks prominently features Drummond and the Baba Brooks Band on a number of fine instrumentals, as well as some previously hard-to-find performances by such vocal luminaries as Alton Ellis, Justin Hinds, and Stranger Cole. The sound is amazingly clear on many tracks -- the instrumentals "Knockout Punch" and "Twilight Zone" are especially beautifully recorded. There's a nice version of the popular favorite "Penny Reel," a bizarre adaptation of "Love Me Tender" (rendered "Hold Me Tenderly" and sung, with more enthusiasm than skill, by Owen and Leon Silveira), and a fun instrumental arrangement of Ella Fitzgerald's "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" by Tommy McCook. This album doesn't necessarily stand head and shoulders above Heartbeat's previous old-school ska compilations, but it's certainly as good a place as any to start exploring this rich period in reggae history. ~ Rick Anderson

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Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals from Studio One by Downbeat The Ruler/Various Artists (CD -
 

Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals...

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Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals from Studio One by Downbeat The Ruler/Various Artists (CD -
"Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals from Studio One" (10/17/1990) Reggae Downbeat The Ruler, HeartbeatThe BEST OF STUDIO ONE series chronicles the influential role record producer C.S. "Coxsone" Dodd and his recording studio, Studio One, had on popular Jamaican music. Producer: C.S. Dodd. Compilation producer: Chris Wilson. Recorded at Studio One, Kingston, Jamaica. Includes liner notes by Chris Itone. In the beginning, there was Studio One. This aptly named building, the empire of legendary producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, was the birthplace of Jamaica's homegrown pop music industry. Lee "Scratch" Perry, Bob Marley, and just about everyone who was involved in the evolution of ska into rock steady (and later into reggae), which changed the face of Afro-Caribbean pop, spent at least a brief time learning the craft at Dodd's feet. Not everyone went on to superstardom, of course, which makes the three-volume BEST OF STUDIO ONE series that much more interesting. Whereas DOWNBEAT THE RULER contains a track apiece by ska legends Jackie Mitoo and Tommy McCook among its 12 offerings, the bulk of this collection of pumping ska instrumentals is devoted to such unfairly neglected stalwarts as Sound Dimension and Downbeat Specialist. The rhythms are speedy, the horns are cooking, and it's impossible not to dance, making this a near-perfect ska compilation.

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Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals by Various Artists (CD - 07/01/2003)
 

Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals by Variou...

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Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals by Various Artists (CD - 07/01/2003)
"Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals" (07/01/2003) Reggae Various Artists, Sanctuary (USA)Music for kids is always problematic. You can go the safe Raffi route, or be more adventurous -- something children often respond to. The Reggae for Kids series has adopted something of a middle ground, and this instrumental disc might be the ideal balance. Yes, there are some reggae classics in here, internationally known pieces like "One Love" and "I Can See Clearly Now," but they're interspersed with songs kids will know, like "This Old Man" and "Over the Rainbow." Add a few more contemporary pieces like "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" and "Beauty and the Beast," and you end up with something that works for everyone. It's meant to be a singalong record, and doubtless will be in many households since everything so familiar. The playing might be smooth, but it's also superb, with a very strong cast, including Dean Fraser, Style Scott, Sky Juice, and Flabba Holt, proving how versatile they can be. Granted, many of these tracks have appeared on other Reggae for Kids albums, but the absence of vocals (and addition of new lead instruments) freshen them up for the family. ~ Chris Nickson
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Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals by Various Artists (Cassette - 05/20/2003)
 

Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals by Variou...

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Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals by Various Artists (Cassette - 05/20/2003)
"Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals" (05/20/2003) Reggae Various Artists, RAS RecordsMusic for kids is always problematic. You can go the safe Raffi route, or be more adventurous -- something children often respond to. The Reggae for Kids series has adopted something of a middle ground, and this instrumental disc might be the ideal balance. Yes, there are some reggae classics in here, internationally known pieces like "One Love" and "I Can See Clearly Now," but they're interspersed with songs kids will know, like "This Old Man" and "Over the Rainbow." Add a few more contemporary pieces like "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" and "Beauty and the Beast," and you end up with something that works for everyone. It's meant to be a singalong record, and doubtless will be in many households since everything so familiar. The playing might be smooth, but it's also superb, with a very strong cast, including Dean Fraser, Style Scott, Sky Juice, and Flabba Holt, proving how versatile they can be. Granted, many of these tracks have appeared on other Reggae for Kids albums, but the absence of vocals (and addition of new lead instruments) freshen them up for the family. ~ Chris Nickson
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Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals by Various Artists (Cassette - 05/20/2003)
 

Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals by Variou...

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Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals by Various Artists (Cassette - 05/20/2003)
"Reggae for Kids: Instrumentals" (05/20/2003) Reggae Various Artists, RAS RecordsMusic for kids is always problematic. You can go the safe Raffi route, or be more adventurous -- something children often respond to. The Reggae for Kids series has adopted something of a middle ground, and this instrumental disc might be the ideal balance. Yes, there are some reggae classics in here, internationally known pieces like "One Love" and "I Can See Clearly Now," but they're interspersed with songs kids will know, like "This Old Man" and "Over the Rainbow." Add a few more contemporary pieces like "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" and "Beauty and the Beast," and you end up with something that works for everyone. It's meant to be a singalong record, and doubtless will be in many households since everything so familiar. The playing might be smooth, but it's also superb, with a very strong cast, including Dean Fraser, Style Scott, Sky Juice, and Flabba Holt, proving how versatile they can be. Granted, many of these tracks have appeared on other Reggae for Kids albums, but the absence of vocals (and addition of new lead instruments) freshen them up for the family. ~ Chris Nickson
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Killer Horn Instrumentals by Various Artists (CD - 07/28/2003)
 

Killer Horn Instrumentals by Various Art...

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Killer Horn Instrumentals by Various Artists (CD - 07/28/2003)
"Killer Horn Instrumentals" (07/28/2003) Reggae Various Artists, Trojan (Cityhall)
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Trojan Box Set: Instrumentals [Box] by Various Artists (CD - 07/23/2002)
 

Trojan Box Set: Instrumentals [Box] by V...

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Trojan Box Set: Instrumentals [Box] by Various Artists (CD - 07/23/2002)
"Trojan Box Set: Instrumentals [Box]" (07/23/2002) Reggae Various Artists, Sanctuary (USA)All tracks have been digitally remastered. Contains 50 tracks. Another Trojan box set, and one can hardly decide between applauding and ripping out their hair. In keeping with the rest of the series, there are three discs, which were obviously sequenced by a roomful of chimps who never heard the songs. It's bad enough when mood and chronology were totally ignored on the single-genre compilations, but this set careens around the years like a pinball -- tempos suddenly shift from frenetic to snail-paced and moods shift faster than a manic depressive. Does anyone at Trojan actually sit down and listen to these sets as sequenced? Apparently not. As with the other boxes, the liner notes are of no consequence, but at least the sound quality is uniformly good. That said, the sheer variety of these tracks is truly breathtaking, and the box is stuffed with exceptional songs, is littered with hits, and features more than enough hard-to-find gems to set collectors' pulses racing. No matter what listeners are looking for, it's bound to be here, with all genres represented. Want hits? There's "Liquidator," "Eastern Standard Time," "Reflections of Don D," "For a Few Dollars More," and "East of the River Nile," among many others. Fancy a John Crow skank? Check out Joe Gibb's "Fat Dog," an instrumental version of Peter Tosh's "Magadog." Fancy a golden oldie Jamaican-style? Try Val Bennett's "The Russians Are Coming (Take Five)." Want haunting keyboards with a DJ chanting along? Go for Lloyd Chamber's "In the Spirit." In fact, no matter what instrument listeners prefer, it will be showcased somewhere here in every style -- even harmonicas. Diversity is both this set's beauty and downfall, and one almost dreads -- yet awaits with baited breath -- what's in store for the listener on volume two. ~ Jo-Ann Greene
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