Description:
The Dutch Jamaican Gold label has staked their reputation on high quality reissues and compilations, and From Chapter to Version: 20 Reggae DJ Classics carries on this tradition. The early DJ scene has been the most poorly served of all Jamaican genres, and even as more and more material hits the shelves, quality is erratic and information patchy. Jamaican Gold has worked hard here to give the DJs their due, with this splendid collection all drawn from producer Alvin Ranglin's 1970-1974 archives. Ranglin worked with many of the top toasters of the day, most notably U-Roy and Dennis Alcapone, who will be most listeners' point of entry. This set features three and four of the superstars' tracks, respectively. From a social/historical perspective, "Musical Alphabet" is of particular note, as Alcapone toasts around a recitation of the alphabet, a potent reminder of the great literacy push instituted by the newly elected PNP government back in 1972, a campaign further reflected in many of the DJ's favorite catch phrases. However, it is Charlie Ace who is the primary focus of this set, and five of his scintillating tracks are included. Today barely remembered, at the time he was quite popular, and his is a welcome inclusion. Check out his exuberant "Do Something" and fast-paced "The Harder They Come." Another forgotten hero is Shorty Perry, who sang as well as he toasted. Chapter also includes a clutch of DJs who barely registered even at the time, now resurrected from total obscurity. They each have their charms, but the standout is Carey & Lloyd, two former singers who hooked up to toast, an almost unique phenomenon at the time. The one was a more laid-back MC, the other a flood of engaging patter; their "Scorpion" is a lost masterpiece and rivals the very best from their bigger brethren. What makes this collection even more crucial are the copious liner notes including full bios of each of the artists, information on the individual tracks, and, best of all, a "Riddim-O-Graphy," which identifies the songs' backing rhythms and artists. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, AMG

Track Listing:

1.	Heppie Soul
2.	President In School
3.	Leap Year
4.	Milk And Honey
5.	On Top Of The Peak
6.	Do Something
7.	Scorpion
8.	Honey Comb
9.	Lover's Affair
10.	Walking Stick
11.	Way Down South
12.	Only One Wife
13.	Musical Goat
14.	King Of Kings
15.	Musical Combination
16.	Half Way Tree Rock
17.	Musical Alphabet
18.	Hard Feeling
19.	Harder They Come
20.	Musical Come

Availability
Estimated despatch 14-20 days after ordering.

Customers who bought FROM CHAPTER TO VERSION also bought

ALI KHAN, NUSRAT FATEH / MUSTT MUSTT (EUROPEAN IMPORT) CD Album

VARIOUS / ROCKSTEADY FROM CHARIOTS - VOLUME 1 CD Album

Customers who shopped for FROM CHAPTER TO VERSION also shopped for

JACKSON, CALVIN / GOIN DOWN SO CD Album

MARLEY, BOB / AFRICAN HERBSMAN Vinyl Album

MARLEY, BOB / GREAT BOB MARLEY CD Album

MARLEY, BOB / RARITIES VOLUME 2 CD Album

More music > world > reggae