Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae

Personnel: Ernest Ranglin, Hux Brown (guitar); Jon Williams (violin); "Deadly" Headley Bennett, Glen DaCosta (saxophone); David Madden (trumpet); Calvin Cameron (trombone); Robert Lyn (piano, organ); Gladstone Anderson (piano); Sly Dunbar (drums); Noel "Scully" Simms, Uziah "Sticky" Thompson, Bongo Herman (percussion); Sylvanus Moore, Derrick Lara, Yeshemabeth McGregor, Carlton Smith, The Tamlins (background vocals).
Liner Note Authors: Chuck Foster; Stascha Bader.
Recording information: Tuff Gong Studio, Kingston, Jamaica (04/2008); Tuff Gong Studios, Kingston, Jamaica (04/2008).
Photographer: Madleine Gentinetta.
Arranger: Lyn Taitt.
Some might snort, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with the idea of gathering a bunch of early reggae veterans and pioneers and asking them to revisit some of their (and others') hits from the late '60s, backed up by a band consisting of respectful young fans (led in this case by legendary guitarist Ernest Ranglin and recorded at the Tuff Gong studio). And if the results are mixed, well, what else did you expect? What's surprising is how powerfully some of these old-timers can still perform: Ken Boothe offers a mini-class in soulful singing on an excellent rendition of "Freedom Street"; Derrick Morgan brings the perfect combination of charming humor and effortless groove to the "rude boys in court" classic "Tougher Than Tough"; Marcia Griffiths not only crushes Blondie like a grape with her powerhouse rendition of "Tide Is High," but frankly outdoes the Paragons' original version as well. You have to feel kind of sorry for Dawn Penn, who was asked to make what must be her 150th recording of "You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)" and still manages, bless her heart, to sound like she's having fun. Hopeton Lewis, on the other hand, sounds like he's phoning it in on a lackluster version of "Rivers of Babylon," and it's sad to say it, but the great Stranger Cole is sounding a bit weary on "Love Me Today." But overall, all of the singers acquit themselves somewhere between quite well and beautifully, and the instrumental arrangements and playing are excellent. A must for nostalgic rocksteady fans. ~ Rick Anderson