"Pour Down Like Silver" by RICHARD and LINDA THOMPSON – November 1975 UK Third Studio Album on Island Records featuring Simon Nicol of Fairport Convention, Pat Donaldson of Poet And The One Man Band and Fotheringay, Ian Whiteman of Mighty Baby, John Kirkpatrick of Steeleye Span and The Albion Band, Timi Donald of Trash and Blue with Nic Jones and Aly Bain of The Boys Of The Lough (April 2004 UK Universal/Island Remasters Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Four Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...For Shame Of Doing Wrong..."

For their second album of 1975 and third as a duo – Richard and Linda Thompson kept up the high songwriting standards with "Pour Down Like Silver" (November 1975 on Island Records) – even if once again and like the previous two ("I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" from April 1974 and "Hokey Pokey" from March 1975) sales still didn’t see it chart.

Fronting each song with alternating lead vocals and RT on guitars - back on board came their Folk-Rock crew of old alongside some guests – Drummer Dave Mattacks of Fairport Convention and The Albion Band, Bassist Pat Donaldson of Poet And The One Man Band and Fotheringay, Flutist Ian Whiteman of Mighty Baby, Concertina and Accordionist John Kirkpatrick of Steeleye Span and The Albion Band, Drummer Timi Donald of Trash and Blue, legendary Trumpeter Henry Lowther with the virtuoso Fiddle Player Aly Bain of The Boys Of The Lough (Folkie Nic Jones also on fiddle) - all making an impact to the rich dark materials. Beautifully engineered and produced by both Thompson and John Wood (of Nick Drake fame and many more Island Records artists) - it sounded the biz too (and still does now, especially on this CD).

Looking not unlike the Shiek of Araby on the front cover while a be-scarfed Linda looks tasty as one of his many harem concubines on the rear (come to your desert-daddy my dear) - I’ve always thought "Pour Down Like Silver" is the kind of mid 70ts charmer that got lost somehow in the sheer deluge of albums in that apex year for the decade. And it contains a genuine masterpiece in "The Dimming Of The Day..." – a song covered by contemporary artists like Bonnie Raitt, The Corrs, Mary Black and Any Trouble. Luckily this rather cool 2004 Island Remasters CD Reissue does that lost-in-the-shuffle R&LT album proud. To the shame of doing wrong...

UK released April 2004 - "Pour Down Like Silver" by RICHARD and LINDA THOMPSON on Universal/Island Remasters IMCD 306 / 981 790-1 (Barcode 602498179017) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Four Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (67:43 minutes):

1. Streets Of Paradise [Side 1]

2. For Shame Of Doing Wrong

3. The Poor Boy Is Taken Away

4. Night Comes In

5. Jet Plane In A Rocking Chair [Side 2]

6. Beat The Retreat

7. Hard Luck Stories

8. Dimming Of The Day/Dargai

Tracks 1 to 8 are their third album (Richard Thompson's fourth) "Pour Down Like Silver" - released November 1975 in the UK and USA on Island Records ILPS 9348. Produced and Engineered by RICHARD THOMPSON and JOHN WOOD - it didn't chart in either country.

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Streets Of Paradise (3:55 minutes) - Live

10. Night Comes in (12:10 minutes) - Live

11. Dark End Of The Street (4:12 minutes) - Live

12. Beat The Retreat (6:23 minutes) - Live

Tracks 9 and 12 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED, 9 recorded at The Roundhouse 1975, 12 at The Queen Elizabeth Hall, April 1975

Tracks 10 and 11 first released May 1976 on the 2LP anthology "Guitar, Vocal" on Island Records ICD 8. Track 10 recorded in Oxford, November 1975 and Track 11 at The Queen Elizabeth Hall, April 1975 ("Dark End Of The Street" is a cover version of the James Carr 60ts Soul classic penned by Dan Penn and Chips Moman).

Original copies of this CD reissue came in a stickered card slipcase (later copies lose this) with a 12-page booklet inside the jewel case. The lyrics that were on the inner sleeve of the original 1975 LP are here, a photo and a short history of the project by DAVID SUFF (of Fledgling Records). The liner notes expound on their embracing of the Sufi faith, the 'recorded live in the studio' nature of the recordings, the sad songs bolstered up by many Fairport Convention musician pals with Thompson concentrating on Guitar - leaving all tracks minus keyboards. The CD label sports a 'black and orange eye' pink label logo that was actually only on 60ts Island pressings (it should have been a palm-tree orange label), but it's a minor glitch because the Audio Remastering (doesn't say who did it but I suspect Denis Blackham of Sky Mastering) is glorious. To the music...

There is an anger pouring of the lyrics in the decidedly accordion-led Folk-Rock of "Streets Of Paradise" that give the song a strange lilt - Richard asking for a racehorse and being given a mule. Linda's lovely voice opens the 'lover lover' of "For Shame Of Doing Wrong" - our lady nursing a broken heart and missing the times before she and her man went their separate ways. There's a warmth to this song that reminds me of The Waterboys when they hit that sweet melody note - Thompson's guitar and duet vocals so clear in the transfer. I wish I was a fool for you again, they sing, well, I am.

As if that track wasn't good enough, the album now moves into real beauty for me - both Linda and Richard handling the haunting leads on the gorgeous "The Poor Boy Is Taken Away". As it smooches into your listening space - Thompson's acoustic guitar is complimented by mandolin strums and lyrics about a poor boy dressed for the 'tinkering trade'. Then Side 1 ends on the magnificent rambling shimmering guitar-based beauty of "Night Comes In" - a brooding 8:11 minutes of tears and rooms closing in and dancing until your feet don't touch the ground. Fantastic stuff and a stunning Remaster transfer as he doubles up the guitars – swanning its way to an elegant crescendo finish. It reminds me of Fairport at their Folk-Rock best.

"I've been looking for a love like you..." both sing on the jaunty "Jet Plane In A Rocking Chair" - soft soap shuffle with nothing to sell. While I like this Side 2 opener, I worship at the altar of "Beat The Retreat" - such a simple song yet so powerful - a world so full of sadness - burning all his bridges - running back home to you. And again the acoustic guitar and subtle flute/Shakuhachi notes lingering behind are brought to beautiful life by a superb Remaster. Can't say I've ever liked "Hard Luck Stories" - everybody's idea of a waste of time but a true gem in the RT catalogue - “Dimming Of The Day/Dargai”, saves the Side. Linda sings of a house falling down around her ears - drowning in a river of tears - needing you at the dimming of the day. I've loved this love song and ballad for near 50 years now and it still makes me shiver. And about four minutes in - it suddenly ends and goes into the three-minute-plus acoustic instrumental "Dargai" - magical stuff. 

While the unreleased live cut of "Streets Of Paradise" is good, my poison is the stunning twelve minutes of "Night Comes in" - accordion and electric guitar soon joined by a band enjoying this dark march. A surprisingly delicate acoustic take on "Dark End Of The Street" finds Linda in lovely vocal form and sounding not unlike a hurting Sandy Denny (it's credited as 'Live' but you can't hear the audience until their final applause). That delicate performance is cleverly followed by another Acoustic gem - "Beating The Retreat" – a smart extra that feels like it was always meant to be here and yet it's Previously Unreleased.

Maybe the Muslim garb of both on that striking cover art put people off - I don't know. But I do know that "Pour Down Like Silver" is an overlooked gem of an album and this 2004 CD transfer rocks in every way (running on back home to you). And I've seen it online for as little two quid. Now that's what I call a deal...

"Ooh La La: An Island Harvest" by RONNIE LANE and SLIM CHANCE (2014 Universal/Island 2CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…I'm Gonna Miss You…"

As every Small Faces and Faces fan knows – Ronnie Lane’s primo and sought-after solo career on GM and Island Records in the mid to late Seventies has had a ludicrously convoluted history on CD. It’s involved obscure re-issue labels, followed by quick deletion and extortion setting in on the price front almost immediately. And most of these discs have had OK to occasionally better sound quality. Well – at last – all of that ends with Universal’s big label 2CD reissue "Ooh La La: An Island Harvest". It's not perfect for sure – but damn close. Here are the tins and tambourines…

UK released Monday 10 March 2014 on Universal-Island 5345422 (Barcode 600753454220) – "Ooh La La: An Island Harvest" breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (74:41 minutes):

Tracks 1, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 15 are all PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED - "Ooh La La (Alternate Studio Take – Take 4)", "Buddy Can Spare A Dime (Alternate Studio Take – Take 5)", "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself A Letter) (Alternate Studio Take)", "You Never Can Tell (Take 1)",  "Back Street Boy (Jam Session)", "Country Boy (Alternate Take)"

Tracks 8, 14, 17 and 18 are from the 1975 UK album "Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance" (see sequence below)

Tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 12 and 13 are from the 1976 UK album "One For The Road" LP (see sequence below)

Track 16 is "What Went Down (That Night With You)" – the A-side of a non-album UK 7” single issued February 1975 on Island WIP 6216

Disc 2 (75:26 minutes):

Tracks 1 and 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED - "The Poacher (Take 2)" and "Anniversary (Alternate Mix)"

Tracks 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10 are from the 1975 UK album "Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance" (see sequence below)

Tracks 3 and 5 are from the 1976 UK album "One For The Road" LP (see sequence below)

Track 8 is "Lovely (Single Version)" – the Non-Album B-side of Track 16 on Disc 1

Tracks 12 to 19 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED LIVE tracks from a BBC Concert 23 April 1974 - "Last Orders Please", "Done This One Before", "Flags And Banners", "Tell Everyone", "How Come", "I Believe In You", "Debris" and "Ooh La La".

You can sequence 'most' of both Island LPs as follows (1/18) = Disc 1, Track 18 etc.:

Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance  (July 1975 2nd UK LP on Island ILPS 9321)

Side 1:

1. Little Piece Of Nothing (1/18)

2. Stone (2/4)

3. A Bottle Of Brandy (2/6)

4. Street Gang (2/2)

5. Anniversary (1/14)

6. I’m Gonna Sit Down And Write Myself A Letter

7. I’m A Country Boy

Side 2:

1. Ain’t No Lady (2/9)

2. Blue Monday (2/10)

3. Give Me A Penny (1/8)

4. You Never Can Tell

5. Tin And Tambourine (1/17)

6. Single Saddle (2/7)

One For The Road (July 1976 3rd UK LP on Island ILPS 9366)

Side 1:

1. Don’t Try 'N' Change My Mind (1/2)

2. 32nd Street (1/7)

3. Snake (1/12)

4. Burnin' Summer (1/13)

5. One For The Road (1/3)

Side 2:

1. Steppin' An' Reelin' (The Wedding) 1/5)

2. Harvest Home (1/6)

3. Nobody's Listening (2/3)

4. G’morning (2/5)

The 2CDs are housed in a three-way foldout card sleeve that’s admittedly flimsy with CD1 on the left, CD2 on the right and the 16-page booklet in the centre (and again no inner bags for protection – be careful extracting the discs). A nice touch however is that CD1 repros the Pink-Rim Island Label - while CD2 repros the one after it – the Blue and Orange mid to late Seventies label. There are hugely affectionate liner notes by renowned music writer PAOLO HEWITT who also compiled the set with JOHNNY CHANDLER. We get mini photos of the two album sleeves and UK Island singles, master tape boxes, concert tickets, gig posters and reissue credits. But of course the big news is the sound – remastered from original tapes by ALEX WHARTON at Abbey Road Studios – we finally get to hear these tracks breath and sound wonderful.

The sonic wallop is immediate when you get to Track 2 – a rare UK 7" single "Don't Try To Change My Mind". Last I heard it was on a Neon CD from 2000 (see review) and its sound quality was good rather than great. Now it’s a revelation. The accordion and mandolins are so clear – lovely tune. And it seems like I’ve waited 40 years to hear "Tin And Tambourine" sound this good – what a blast. And when the band goes into that harmonica jaunt half way through – I’m bawling like a sappy fool. God I miss this guy…

As fans will have noticed from the LP lists above there’s bad news and niggles – three of the "Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance" album cuts from 1975 are AWOL - replaced with Alternates. However in the case of "Country Boy" – the Alternate Mix is shockingly good – as pretty as Lane could be – it’s going to be an absolute highlight for many. The distortion and crackle on "Burnin' Summer" is unbelievably bad (corrupted tape?).

But in compensation the BBC In Concert stuff on Disc 2 comes over as a FACES gig done live-in-the-studio in a ramshackle Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance style (and don’t get me started on the gorgeous “Debris” – we’ll be here for years). The finisher "Ooh La La" is joyous stuff. There are one or two of the Takes with small amounts of studio banter (the Chuck Berry cover "You Never Can Tell") and Plonk’s infectious laugh that will put a smile on many a weary kisser. Fans of "The Poacher" will also flip for the "Two, Three, Four…" count in on Take 2 where I swear he’s changed the words but all the magical ingredients are there – just slightly different. Another gem for many will be the sonic upgrade on the lovely "Anniversary" (lyrics above) – it’s featured in both album and alternate form.

As a long time Amazon Reviewer (over 1850 posts) – I regularly heap praise on UK independent labels that keep the flame alive for so many of us (especially on CD). But in 2014 someone somewhere seems to have lit a very large torch under the stodgy bottom of Universal – because like the brilliant Eric Clapton 2CD set “Give Me Strength” – for me this is yet another 2014 Reissue of the Year from a major record company. What is going on!?

Paolo Hewitt writes of Ronnie Lane, "He had stars in his eyes and he had love in his smile…"

Well after a mere four decades and his still hurtful/sad passing – fans of Ronnie 'Plonk' Lane finally have something worth getting weepy about. I raise a Pint of Guinness to him and to all involved in this superb reissue. Cheers to you all...

"Tuck Box" by NICK DRAKE (2013 Universal/Island Records 5CD Box Set (Mostly 2000 Remasters)) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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There are two ways of looking at this 5CD release - for longtime NICK DRAKE fans it's a pain (buying what you already own) - but for newcomers or just the curious - "Tuck Box" is a treasure trove of beautiful music presented in a really rather lovely way.

Released Monday 9 December 2013 - "Tuck Box" by NICK DRAKE on Universal/Island 0602537538546 (Barcode 602537538546) consists of 5CDs in repro card digipaks with 5 accompanying fold-out colour posters - the press-released full-page adverts for each album. The box sticker and rear details clearly state that this is previously released material.

The first 3 CDs are his officially released catalogue before his tragic loss in 1974. These CDs are NOT DIFFERENT to the 28 June 2000 CD remasters done by Simon Heyworth and John Wood (the album's original engineer). Disappointingly the altered album artwork on those reissues has also been copied here and the booklets are exactly the same too (filled with lyrics and some photographs). The sound quality on all three sets is exceptional - carefully remastered - and the music is magical - in fact listening to "Cello Song" even now reduces me to shivers. Here are the breakdowns…

Disc 1 “Five Leaves Left” (Debut Studio LP - 41:45 minutes):

1. Time Has Told Me

2. River Man

3. Three Hours

4. Way To Blue

5. Day Is done

6. ‘Cello Song [Side 2]

7. The Thoughts Of Mary Jane

8. Man In A Shed

9. Fruit Tree

10. Saturday Sun

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Five Leaves Left" - his debut vinyl album was released 1 September 1969 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9105 - reissued on Remaster CD in June 2000.

Disc 2 “Bryter Layter” (2nd studio album - 39:26 minutes):

1. Introduction

2. Hazey Jane II

3. At The Chime Of A City Clock

4. One Of These Things First

5. Hazey Jane I

6. Bryter Layter [Side 2]

7. Fly

8. Poor Boy

9. Northern Sky

10. Sunday

Tracks 1 to 2 are "Bryter Layter" - released 1 November 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9134

Disc 3 “Pink Moon” (3rd and final studio album - 28:30 minutes):

1. Pink Moon

2. Place To Be

3. Road

4. Which Will

5. Horn

6. Things Behind The Sun [Side 2]

7. Know

8. Parasite

9. Free Ride

10. Harvest Breed

11. From The Moring

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 3rd and final album "Pink Moon" - released 25 February 1972 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9184

Disc 4 "Made To Love Magic" (Compilation - 41:52 minutes):

1. Rider On The Wheel

2. Magic

3. River Man

4. Joey

5. Thoughts Of Mary Jane

6. Mayfair

7. Hanging On A Star

8. Three Hours

9. Clothes Of sand

10. Voices

11. Time Of No Reply

12. Black Eyed Dog

13. Tow The Line

“Made To Love Magic” is a posthumous 13-track CD/LP compilation of unreleased outtakes and alternate versions (including 5 tracks from his never-finished 4th album). It was issued 24 March 2004 and features John Wood and Simon Heyworth Remasters/Remixes with additional help from Jeremy Gill.

Disc 5 “Family Tree” (64:34 minutes):

1. Come In To The Garden (Introduction)

2. They’re Leaving Me Behind

3. Time Piece

4. Poor Mum (Performed by Molly Drake)

5. Winter Is Gone

6. All My Trials (Performed by Nick Drake and Gabrielle Drake)

7. Mozart’s Kegelstatt Trio (Performed by The Family Trio)

8. Strolling Down The Highway

9. Paddling In Rushmere

10. Cocaine Blues

11. Blossom

12. Been Smoking Too Long

13. Black Mountain Blues

14. Tomorrow Is A Long Time

15. If You Leave Me

16. Here Come The Blues

17. Sketch 1

18. Blues Run The Game [Jackson C. Frank cover version]

19. Milk And Honey

20. Kimbie

21. Birdie Flew By

22. Rain

23. Strange Meeting II

24. Day Is Done

25. Come Into The Garden

26. Way To Blue

27. Do You Ever Remember? (Performed by Molly Drake)

Tracks 1 to 27 are "Family Tree" - another posthumous compilation on CD and LP released 9 July 2007 and featuring 27 tracks recorded between 1967 and 1969 (prior to his debut).

Each album is now in an oversized card digipak with a small booklet using the 2000 CD reissues artwork (shame they didn’t revert to the original album looks)  - the two posthumous compilations use their original art. The only discernible difference is that the "Five Leaves Left" CD label now sports an even more garish PINK label than its predecessor. The digipaks are all inset into the box in a hollow with Nick Drake’s lyrics typed around the edges of on the box on the inside. There's no stand-alone booklet unfortunately – nor it would seem any new remasters – these are the JOHN WOOD versions carried out in 2000 for the three studio albums. The sound is glorious it has to be said – especially as much of the music is acoustic based with the double-bass acting as a rhythm section. There’s clarity, warmth and presence – its all here.

The first album is astonishing – great tunes, cool trippy backing and those sad as a river string arrangements on stuff like “Fruit Tree” and “Way To Blue”. The irrepressible “’Cello Song” gets me every time and Alexis Korner became the first person I know of who covered a Nick Drake song – the album finisher “Saturday Sun” – he did it on his “Alexis Korner” album from July 1971 on RAK Records.

The hiss levels increase a tad on “At The Chime Of A City Clock” and on the lovely instrumental “Bryter Layter” while “Northern Sky” still exudes romantic ‘magic’ (and has been used in movies for just such a purpose). My favourite is the gorgeous “One Of These Things First” and the jazzy “Poor Boy” sounds like a male-fronted Fairground Attraction decades before their time.

The album that no one bought – the solo “Pink Moon” is probably every fan’s crave – beautiful and ethereal like John Martyn’s “Solid Air” which in itself would arrive a year later (February 1973) also on the mighty Island Records). Relistening to its stark and bare songs (just him and a guitar) - history would have us ask why Island never released “Pink Moon” or the lovely “Place To Be” as 7” singles – maybe capture the airwaves like Labi Siffre and Cat Stevens had?

The first compilation “Made To Love Magic” is a triumph - all the material receiving serious digital polishing from John Wood and Jeremy Gill. The orchestration they put on “Magic” is from his own notes – so we hear now the stunning song - as it would have been. The trio of - “Hanging On A Star”, “Joey” and “Clothes Of Sand” are simply stunning (complete with playing mistakes) – an indication as to how good his songwriting had become (“something has taken you so far from me…”)

Having said that - if you're new to Drake and his wonderful soft singer-songwriter beauty - then this is a lovely way to kindle a romance that will stay with you like Joni Mitchell lyrics work their way into your consciousness. But in a 'starry night' kind of way - you just can't help thinking that someone as beautiful as Nick Drake deserved just a little bit more effort than this... And the cool “Tow The Line” was his last recording. And as ‘interesting’ as much of “Family Tree” is (“Winter is Gone” and “Blues Run The Game”) – the huge hiss levels and poor quality of the recordings means that most of it is a curio at best.

So there you have it – 3 released albums of near perfection – one quality posthumous compilation and another after-the-fact set that I’d argue should have stayed in the can. But oh what a legacy his music is – I just wish it was ongoing – and not that horrible full stop in 1974…

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"War Ina Babylon – An Island Reggae Anthology" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (May 2009 Universal/Island 3CD BOX SET of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…You Make My Heart Go Giddy Up…You Set My World on Fire..."

Released 25 May 2009 - "War Ina Babylon: An Island Reggae Anthology" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Universal Island 531 833-1 (Barcode 600753183311) is a 64-track 3CD Mini Box Set with music spanning between 1962 and 2005. It was released as part of the Island Records 50th Anniversary celebrations (1959-2009) and as such contains some of the label's hardest-to-find music/vinyl - much of which has never been on CD before (the Island Records Folk/Folk-Rock equivalent is called "Meet on The Ledge..." see separate review).

Fans have eagerly awaited this box set of remasters and frankly frank - it’s been worth the 'irration in the nation'. Here's a detailed breakdown of the tracks with catalogue numbers provided for the first time (most songs are UK 7” singles unless otherwise noted):

Disc 1 - "The Harder They Come - Ska To Reggae 1959-1973" (76:55 minutes):

1. Boogie in My Bones – LAUREL AITKEN (1965 UK 7" single, Island WI-198, A)

2. We're Gonna Love – WILDRED 'JACKIE' EDWARDS (1963 UK MONO LP "The Most Of Wilfred Jackie Edwards" on Island ILP 906)

3. Darling Patricia – OWEN GRAY (1962 UK 7" single, Island WI-002, A)

4. Forward March – DERRICK MORGAN (1962 UK 7" single, Island WI-011, A)

5. Housewives Choice – DERRICK MORGAN & PATSY (1962 UK 7" single, Island WI-018, A)

6. Honour Your Mother And Father – DESMOND DEKKER (1963 UK 7" single, Island WI-054, A)

7. King Of Kings – JIMMY CLIFF (1963 UK 7" single, Island WI-070, A)

8. Exodus – ERNEST RANGLIN (1963 UK 7" single, Island WI-128, A) - Instrumental

9. Eastern Standard Time – DON DRUMMOND & THE SKATALITES (1964 UK 7" single, Island WI-149, A) - Instrumental

10. My Boy Lollipop – MILLIE (SMALL) (a 1964 song on the 1967 UK MONO LP "The Best Of Millie Small" on Island ILP 953 - UK 7" single credited to MILLIE)

11. Carry Go Bring Come – JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES (1964 UK 7" single, Island WI-154, A)

12. Bonanza Ska – CARLOS MALCOM & HIS AFRO JAMACIAN RHYTHMS (1965 UK 7" single, Island WI-173, A)

13. Sweet William – MILLIE (SMALL) (as per 10)

14. Dance Crasher – ALTON ELIS & THE FLAMES (1965 UK 7" single, Island WI-235, A)

15. Guns Fever – THE BABA BROOKS BAND (1965 UK 7" single, Island WI-229, A)

16. Take It Easy – HOPETON LEWIS (1967 UK MONO LP "Take It Easy: Rocksteady With Hopeton Lewis" on Island ILP 957)

17. On The Beach – THE PARAGONS (1967 UK 7" single, Island WI-3045, A)

18. You Don't Care (You'll Want Me Back) – THE TECHNIQUES (1967 UK MONO LP "Duke Reid's Rock Steady" on Island ILP 958 – a VARIOUS ARTISTS compilation featuring The Techniques)

19. Stop That Train – KEITH & TEX (1967 UK 7" single, Island WI-3091, A)

20. Rock Steady – ALTON ELLIS & THE FLAMES (as per 18)

21. My Conversation – THE UNIQUES (1968 UK 7" single, Island WI-3122, A)

22. Ride Your Donkey – THE TENNORS (1968, Island WI-3188, A)

23. Take Five – VAL BENNETT (1968 UK 7" single, Island WI-3146, aka "The Russians Are Coming - Take Five")

24. Hold You Jack – DERRICK MORGAN (1968 UK 7" single, Island WI-3159, A)

25. The Harder They Come – JIMMY CLIFF (1972 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6139, A)

26. Breakfast In Bed – LOMA BENNETT (1972 UK 7" single, Blue Mountain BM-1013, A)

27. This Is Reggae Music – ZAP POW (1973 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6181, A)

Disc 2 - "Party Time, Roots, Dub & Lovers 1973-1979" (78:29 minutes):

1. Book Of Rules – THE HEPTONES (1973 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6179, A)

2. Marcus Garvey – BURNING SPEAR (1975 UK LP "Marcus Garvey" on Island ILPS 9355)

3. King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown – AUGUSTUS PABLO (1975 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6226, A)

4. Carry Go Bring Come (Reggae Version) – JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6261, A - Remake of a 1964 track)

5. Reggae Got Soul – TOOTS & THE MAYTALS (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6296, A)

6. Police And Thieves – JUNIOR MURVIN (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6316, A)

7. Soldier And Police War – JAH LION (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6356, A)

8. War Ina Babylon – MAX ROMEO (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6283, A)

9. Back To Africa – ASWAD (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6312, A)

10. Roast Fish And Corn Bread – LEE PERRY (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6326, A)

11. Cokane In My Brain – DILLINGER (1977 UK 7" single, Black Swan WIP 6416, A) miscredited in booklet as WIP 6334)

12. Ballistic Affair – LEROY SMART (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6353, A)

13. Party Time – THE HEPTONES (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6364, A)

14. 96 Degrees In The Shade – THIRD WORLD (1977 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6413, A)

15. Ska Wars – RICO (1978 UK 12” single on Island IPR 2006, A) (miscredited as IPR 2002)

16. Prodigal Son – STEEL PULSE (1978 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6449, A)

17. Want Fi Goh Rave – LINTON KWESI JOHNSON (1979 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6494, A)

18. Love And Devotion – JIMMY RILEY (1981 UK LP "Rydim Driven" on Island ILPS 9671 (miscredited as released in 1979))

19. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner – BLACK UHURU (1980 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6626, A)

Disc 3 - "Welcome To Jamrock 1980-2005" (79:26 minutes):

1. (Stalk Of) Sensimilla – BLACK UHURU (1980 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6626, A)

2. Warrior Charge – ASWAD (1980 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6646, A)

3. The Bed’s Too Big Without You – SHEILA HYLTON (1980 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6671, A)

4. Fort Augustus – JUNIOR DELGADO (1981 Various Artists LP called "Sly And Robbie Present Taxi" on Island ILPS 9662)

5. One Love Jamdown – PAPA MICHIGAN & GENERAL SMILEY – (1980 UK 12” single on Island/Tuff Gong IPR 2035, A)

6. Sitting And Watching – DENNIS BROWN (1982 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6777, A)

7. Night Nurse – GREGORY ISAACS (1982 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6800, A)

8. Pass The Kouchie – THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS (1982 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6838, A)

9. What is Life – BLACK UHURU (1984 UK 7" single, Island IS 150, A)

10. Revolution – DENNIS BROWN (1983 UK 12” single on Island/Taxi IPR 2059, A)

11. Trouble You A Troble Me – INI KAMOZE (1983 UK 12” single on Island/Taxi IPR 2061, A)

12. Oh What A Feeling – GREGORY ISAACS (1983, Island/Taxi TX 03, A)

13. Don’t Turn Around – ASWAD (1988, Island/Mango IS 341, A)

14. Tease Me – CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS (1983, Island/Mango CIDM 806, A)

15. Boom Shack A Lack – APACHE INDIAN (1993, on the "Nuff Vibes EP" Island CID 560)

16. Murder She Wrote – CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS (1994, Island/Mango CIDM 812)

17. Whine And Grine – PRINCE BUSTER (1998, Island CID 691)

18. Welcome To Jamrock – DAMIEN MARLEY (2005, Island MCSTD 40432)

LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT has penned the extremely detailed 28-page booklet. Reggae fans will know his name - he co-authored the fabulous "Young Gifted & Black" book about Trojan Records and also did the well-knowledgeable liner notes for the Deluxe Editions of Tighten Up 1 and 2 (see separate reviews for all 3). Each page features 3 pictures beside the text showing rare label variations, artist photos, obscure album sleeves, trade adverts, music industry charts...etc. If I was to complain it's that the booklet is small and the pictures hard to see let alone appreciate – and where’s Bob Marley – their biggest Reggae star?

The remastering is done by TIM DEBNEY at Fluid Mastering and being Reggae Music the sound quality ranges from muddy and awful in the early Sixties to sublime in the Seventies and Eighties - Disc 2 and 3 being particularly good - warm, clear and ballsy without being too brash. And it has to be said that sheer charm of the Sixties Ska on Disc 1 shines through regardless of production values.

The song choices are clever too - the rare 12" IPR series that has been reissued by other labels because you just can't get the originals other than in battered condition - the superb LP-only songs like The Techniques track on "Duke Reid's Rock Steady" - an album I've seen once in my life. Purists will however cringe at the inclusion of Aswad's horridly commercial "Don't Turn Around" (I bet their bank-accounts loved it though) but will appreciate the inclusion of their superb brass and harmonica-driven instrumental "Warrior Charge" which is very hard to find now (I’ve seen it at 4 times its Price Guide value). It all goes a bit pear-shaped towards the end of Disc 3 but "Whine and Grine" and "Boom Shack A Lack" are still great fun.

There’s always been something magical about Island Records and Reggae Music and this fabulous little Box set only hammers that home. Top-notch jam rock and big time recommended…

PS: it's companion volume "Meet On The Ledge" (pictured below) is reviewed separately