Great collection of Reggae / Ska / Rocksteady singles from the early days of Island Records, said to be hand-picked by label founder Chris Blackwell. There’s already been a Volume Two and Volume Three (going into the 70s) – not sure if there will be more or not.
Somewhat idiosyncratically includes The Spencer Davis Group alongside Toots & The Maytals, Desmond Dekker & The Aces, and The Soul Sisters – but it makes sense in the context of the original releases which also stood side by side at Island.
Track Listing
- Long Shot Kick de Bucket – The Pioneers
- Six and Seven Books – Toots & the Maytals
- Rivers of Babylon – The Melodians
- Forward March – Derrick Morgan
- Liquidator [Instrumental] – Harry J. All Stars
- Israelites – Desmond Dekker & the Aces
- 007 (Shanty Town) – Desmond Dekker & the Aces
- My Boy Lollipop – Millie Small
- 54-46 (Was My Number) – Toots & the Maytals
- Keep on Running – The Spencer Davis Group
- Gimme Some Lovin’ [Remastered] – The Spencer Davis Group
- Mockingbird – Charlie & Inez Foxx
- Harlem Shuffle – Bob & Earl
- I Can’t Stand It – The Soul Sisters
My copy via the Record Exchange in Salem MA – pressed at Pallas. (I believe there’s only been one pressing of each volume in this series).
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