It's hard to imagine a time when a compilation like this would excite any attention, so ubiquitous have sets from this period in Bob Marley & the Wailers' career become. But long ago, before the floodgates had been overwhelmed by the deluge, Riding High offered aficionados what were then relative rarities. With only "Duppy Conqueror" and "Put It On" to entice the general fan, this set was aimed at collectors. Weighted heavily toward the Johnny Nash/Danny Sims productions -- eight out of the 20 tracks are theirs, and only six given over to the far more esteemed Lee Perry -- the set deliberately moves into what was still unfamiliar waters. Rounding out the set are a pair of Leslie Kong productions, and a quartet from Dutch-born producer Ted Pouder. The latter group of songs -- "Wisdom," "Adam and Eve," "This Train," and "Thank You Lord" -- have been particularly neglected, the least recycled from this period. The Wailers recorded with Pouder in early 1970, with the Gladdy's All Stars providing backing. Under the moniker the Beverleys' All Stars, the group also worked as Kong's studio band, laying down the backings for the Best of the Wailers album along the way. Fans may find it interesting to compare the two men's work. In any event, this was an intriguing set, as each producer stamped his own imprimatur on the band. Perry's focus was on the rhythms, Nash/Sims on the American market, Kong on the British, and Pouder, well, he seemed happy to let the singers and musicians do their thing. Why get in the way of pros? Each had a different vision for the band, creating radically different numbers, and leaving it to fans to now draw their own conclusions. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, AMG

Estimated despatch 14-20 days after ordering.