[coll] Best of Studio One (Heartbeat)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 2/6/06
Produced by the late (2004) great Coxsone Dodd, these tracks span the late 60’s to 1980, the period when ska evolved to rocksteady and the latter to roots reggae (possibly because of a prolonged hot spell that kept people from dancing so frenetically.) This was a really fun period musically, Coxsone was a fine producer, Studio One was a fine studio, these are absolutely top singers – this is a GREAT collection that I’m absolutely delighted to have around!
Inside the booklet cover has both times and dates of all tracks. The individual track information is also interesting, if you’ve got time on your hands.
NO FCCs. I put stars by 5,6,9,14,17 but every track is delicious.
1. the bounce of ska at the tempo of rock steady (e.g. midtempo), Holt’s lovely voice, sweet dance party vibe.
2. Vocal trio (no lead), cool understated guitar and boopy farfisa – warning, misogynist lyrics! However, “girls like dirt” means they’re plentiful, nothing worse.
3. Fabulous falsetto/tenor vocals and harmonies (and I usually hate falsetto) – great midtempo sound, seems to end too quickly!
4. Uptempo skank – the horns are in front of Ellis’ great voice in the mix, but other than that it’s a terrific piece all around.
5. ***Huge hit used in DJ “versions” over and over – somewhat uptempo, fantastic vocals. I’ve heard so many versions that’s it’s great to hear the original.
6. ***Somewhat uptempo and VERY bouncy and fun. Lone Ranger was a very fun DJ, so although this is a rather poor pressing it’s very worth playing.
7. A bit uptempo, using the rhythm track from a previous hit. Sugar Minott got that name because his voice was so pretty. Track is combined with the dub, so you get to hear what early dub versions sound like.
8. Midtempo bubble – first Rastafarian lyrics on the record, great singing and harmonies.
9. ***A total classic, midtempo but somewhat “relaxed”, righteous lyrics, great vocal trio, awesome.
10. Righteous roots rock – music a bit off-key in places but composition is excellent.
11. Chatty and popular pair of DJs, midtempo, bouncy and upbeat. Dancy party vibe, goofy (bits of nursery rhymes, etc)
12. Big hit with lovely lead vocals by Leroy Sibbles – there are slicker versions of this song from later, but it’s still a lot of fun.
13. Sung by the studio operator! A bit relaxed, nice.
14. ***Great singing by Marcia, who dueted with Bob Andy and was an I-Three with Bob Marley, relaxed vibe, soaring vocals, nice horns and guitar.
15. Classic rock steady, amazing falsetto vocals. Sweet love song.
16. Oddly named vocal duo, but they sound great. Relaxed, melancholy song of lost love.
17. ***One of the latest cuts on the record, very roots rock reggae, lots of crazy syn-drum noises. Interesting, rather thin vocals, Rastafarian lyrics, phat production.
18. Midtempo but upbeat skank, great vocal quartet, lead singer sounds reminiscent of Bob Marley. Nice!