Compilation of The Year: And The Winner is . . .

Compilations can be dangerous fare. Haphazardly put together in time for Christmas or to bleed a few more pennies of profit from what remains of an artist's legacy. In these nostalgic, technologically advanced times though, no stone is being left unturned in the search for unearthed gems or cruelly forgotten classics. So step forward Soul Jazz Records who, in their quest to reignite the memory of the legendary Studio One Records brought us 2011's finest compilation.

It's been four years, four very long years since Soul Jazz released a Studio One collection, but upon first listening to Original Classic Recordings 1963-80, it's easy to hear why they fermented this beauty for so long. With such an embarrassment of riches to select from the Studio One vaults, putting together this collection was not a task that could be beaten out overnight like so many 'Best Of's' are nowadays.

The Maytals, The Skatalites and The Heptones are all here in all their raw, colourful glory. As are  Michigan & Smiley with their seven minute dancehall odyssey 'Rub a Dub Style'. Not to mention Marcia Griffiths, Willie Williams, Wailing Souls and well, you get the picture.

This still may not touch Joel Stones' Tropicalia phenomena Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas from last year (but honestly, what will?) but with this latest release, Soul Jazz have delivered a collection of tunes that serve as an irresistably classic benchmark against which all other Reggae compilations must be measured. Sublime stuff.

Until next time,

Keep on Keepin' on,

Baia

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