Various Artists / Rock On: Greatest Hits From The Observer Label
Album: Rock On: Greatest Hits From The Observer Label   Collection:Reggae
Artist:Various Artists   Added:Apr 2008
Label:Heartbeat  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2008-04-06 Pull Date: 2008-06-08 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Jun 8 Jun 1 May 25 May 18 May 11 May 4 Apr 27 Apr 20
Airplays: 1 2 1 1 3 1 1 2

Recent Airplay
1. Jul 29, 2018: Clean Copper Radio
Weeping-Water Rate (12")
4. May 31, 2008: New World Disorder
We Got Love, Temptation, Botheration And Tribulation
2. Jun 25, 2010: Elite Syncopations
Temptation, Botheration And Tribulation
5. May 24, 2008: Disorder Lost, Disorder Found
Well Hot
3. Jun 07, 2008: New World Disorder
My Heart Is Clean-Gate Number (12")
6. May 17, 2008: New World Disorder
Blood And Fire (12")

Album Review
Sadie O.
Reviewed 2008-04-07
Rock On: Greatest Hits from the Observer Label
Reviewed by Sadie O., 4/2/08
Roots rock Reggae produced by Niney the Observer way back in the 70’s. A few really top hits here, and many tracks are the 12” versions with toasts. Terrific stuff – great singers, great musicians, from the classic era of roots Reggae.
No FCCs detected. All great stuff; I like 1, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 best.
1. 6:12 ***kind of a muddy mix, but one of Gregory’s greatest songs, complete with toast.
2. 5:10 **midtempo skank, great Black Uhuru hit in an early version by the lead singer. Very rootsy and minimalist. Includes the dub, which is mostly bass and hi-hat.
3. 3:08 ***bouncy roots rock skank, sweet vocals, big soul hit.
4. 3:34 *bouncy skank, soulful vocals. Ken Boothe was a very underappreciated vocalist here.
5. 5:56 *very swingy, slightly uptempo bubble. Fine but almost unknown vocalist.
6. 3:02 **chugging midtempo riddim, fine semi-chanted vocals.
7. 7:23 ***count-off intro, swinging skank, terrific tenor vocals, and a toast by Dillinger – how cool can you get?
8. 5:40 ***Gospel-flavored chorus, fine tenor vocals, spoken word. Amazing that Niney concentrated on producing others, when he was a terrific vocalist himself. Includes the “version”.
9. 2:38 ***swingy dub skank, one of Gregory’s most seductive hits. If this don’t get your knickers soaked, you’re just not paying attention!
10. 2:27 *same riddim as track 9, rather uninspired female vocals, but some nice added drumwork.
11. 2:47 **midtempo skank, great Rasta diatribe by Mr. Smart.
12. 2:26 ***downtempo skank, fantastic vocals and harmonies by the Mighty Diamonds.
13. 3:13 ***downtempo slinky riddim, more great vocals by yet another of the greatest “power of the trinity” vocal groups. Nice horns and percussion, too.
14. 9:08 ****bouncy downtempo skank, terrific vocals, some great dub – and toast by I-Roy. And it’s long enough to go get lunch while it’s playing!
15. 2:49 *starts with a bit of skit, then very pretty rock steady.
16. 2:25 *uptempo skank. A bit muddy, but nice vocals.
17. 3:16 **downtempo very roots skank, vocal harmonies in quite thick patois.


Track Listing
 ArtistTrack Name
1. Gregory Isaacs And Ranking Buckner Paymaster-Captives (12")
2. Michael Rose Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (12")
3. Freddie Mcgregor We Got Love
4. Ken Boothe Left With A Broken Heart
5. Sixto Rodriguez Halfway Up The Stairs (12")
6. Dennis Brown Westbound Train
7. Cornell Campbell And Dillinger My Heart Is Clean-Gate Number (12")
8. Niney The Observer Blood And Fire (12")
9. Gregory Isaacs Rock On
10. Christine Saturday Night
11. Leroy Smart Mr. Richman
12. Mighty Diamonds Well Hot
13. Heptones, The Temptation, Botheration And Tribulation
14. Jr. Byles And I-Roy Weeping-Water Rate (12")
15. Observer All Stars Teach Them Love
16. Dennis Brown And The Heptones Live After You
17. Sang Hugh And The Lionairs Rasta No Born Yah