Various – Reggae In The Sun: 48 Hot Reggae Hits

This collection comes with many tracks never before on CD and features major hits from the golden age of Reggae. Reggae has become known as the ‘Sound Of Summer’ and originated from an island that has back-to-back days of warm sunshine and blue skies throughout the year. ‘Reggae In The Sun’ is an irresistible celebration of glorious sun-filled tracks from the late 70’s to the early 80’s and performed by some of Jamaica’s top artists, including John Holt, Ken Boothe, Errol Dunkley, Barry Biggs, Marcia Griffiths and more… Let’s now take a look at a selection of the various tracks.

DISC ONE

1. GIRLIE GIRLIE – Sophia George. This comes with a chug-along rhythm track and a very catchy vocal. Some of the vocal is spoken and Sophia was in one’s opinion a much-underrated artist. This reached No.1 in Jamaica and No.7 in the UK. Released in UK on Winner label, 1985. 3. SUNSHINE PEOPLE – Zap Pow. This is a mid-tempo sound on which we hear one of Jamaica’s top outfits and has Beres Hammond and Mike Williams on vocal, they were both part responsible for writing the song. Dwight Pinkney was also a group member and at 3mins 45secs this is a classic Reggae track. Released in Jamaica on Zap Pow label, 1980 and UK on Hawkeye label, release date unknown. 6. SIDESHOW – Barry Biggs. Most Jamaican music fans will know the track and the artist. This is a song originally recorded in the USA by Blue Magic and this version comes with a slowish rhythm and a top-notch vocal from Mr Biggs. This release was considered as commercial but one may find it otherwise. Produced by Neville Hinds and produced by Byron Lee, becoming a No.3 UK hit. Released in UK on Dynamic label, 1976. 8. LET’S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER – Teddy Brown. The song was first recorded by the Rolling Stones and on this version the vocalist is joined by The Discolettes. This is a mid-tempo sound on which Teddy performs a credible vocal and is joined at various times by a backing chorus. Not a bad version of a below-par song. Released in UK on Trojan label, 1978. 11. THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL – Owen Gray. This song has been recorded by various artists over the years, two being Whitney Houston and George Benson. On this we have Owen Gray on a track that comes with no percussion and the rhythm track floats behind the vocal and we end up listening to a high-quality version of a classic song. Released in UK on Trojan label, 1978. 13. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER – Jackie Edwards. This song was also recorded in a Reggae vein by John Holt, and here we have a Jamaican legend doing a fine version. It comes with a slowish rhythm track and the backing is straight, no percussion in sight. This was co-produced by Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee who was a legend on the production side of Jamaican production. On release in Canada this track was the b side to Jackie’s version of ‘White Christmas’. Released in Canada on Hot Disc label and UK on Trojan label 1977. 15. TELL ME A LIE – Candy McKenzie. Another underrated Jamaican artist on a fast-moving catchy recording on which Candy’s vocal is very pleasing. The rhythm track comes straight without any percussion and one feels it should have made the UK charts, but didn’t, the artist may be unfamiliar to some fans of Jamaican music. 18. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD – The Blues Busters. This is a fast-moving tribute to Sam Cooke who had a UK hit with the song. Here we have a duo who recorded some fine sounds over the years and this is no exception. Most of the time we hear a combined vocal but at times a lead vocal comes across, the duo were Phillip Jones and Lloyd Osborne Campbell, forming in 1960. 21. ENDLESS LOVE – Jackie & Hortense. The artists, as you may have worked out are Jackie Edwards and Hortense Ellis who were two of Jamaica’s best. Originally recorded by Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie this version comes mid-tempo and the vocals are top-notch. 23. LOOK WHAT LOVE CAN DO – Janet Kay. Better known for her ‘Silly Games’ we have Janet Kay on a fast-moving track which comes with her distinctive vocal style. It sounds as though Janet has been overdubbed from time-to-time and she floats along in front of a cool rhythm track. 24. LET LOVE COME IN – Sugar Minott. This was a b side when released with ‘Rhythm And Sound’ on the a side. This has a laid-back Reggae rhythm and is a soulful sound on which Sugar Minott does a fine vocal. He is joined by a female backing chorus and it adds up to a fine recording without being anything special. We remember the artist’s ‘Good Thing Going’ which was a chart entry in the UK. This track can be found on the album ‘Suger Minott Collection released in Europe on Rhino label, 1995.

DISC TWO

1. OK FRED – Errol Dunkley. This track will be familiar to most long-term Jamaican music fans. It comes with a punchy fast rhythm track and quality vocal from a top recording artist. Some percussion at times and overall a fun sound that was also recorded John Holt as an album track. This track was released in UK on Scope label, 1979. 4. NICE TIME – Johnny Clarke. This will be familiar to Jamaican music fans and a song recorded by several Reggae artists, including Bob Marley, Max Romeo, Freddie Mc Gregor, Phillis Dillon amongst others. 5. ONE LOVE – Owen Gray. Features a smooth, soulful delivery backed by a classic Roots rhythm. Obviously, a version of the Bob Marley song and Owen is joined by backing singers with the rhythm track coming mid-tempo. Not as good as the Marley original but a worthwhile version of a top song. 7. ON THE BEACH – John Holt. This comes mid-tempo and was originally recorded by The Paragons, Holt being the lead vocalist. As one would expect it comes with the artists smooth vocal and the rhythm track is punchy, it also has some percussion from time-to-time and was written by Holt. Recorded at Treasure Isle Recording Studio and released originally in 1973. 9. ISLAND IN THE SUN – Lord Tanamo. Originally made popular by Harry Belafonte this version comes from an original Calypso singer and has a slow rhythm track. As usual Tanamo’s vocal is clear and this track ends up as a good version of a well-known song. Tanamo’s real name is Joseph Abraham and hailed from Canada. This track is on the album ‘Best Of Lord Tanamo’. 12 EASY – Lloyd Chalmers. This starts of with a spoken vocal before moving into a slower soulful Reggae sound. One remembers the original by The Commodores and written by Lionel Ritchie. Lloyd is joined by backing singers and the backing is laid-back. This is a fine version of a top song. 14. COME BACK GIRL – Nicky Thomas. This is a mid-tempo sound from a top Jamaican artist, unfortunately not still with us. Nicky is joined by a vocal chorus on-and-off throughout and also some light percussion. It is a catchy recording. 16. CARRIBEAN WAY – Lloyd Miller. This starts off with the sounds of the sea then moves into a mid-tempo sound. Lloyd gives a top vocal in front of a rhythm track that comes with percussion. The overall sound is like a nursery rhyme and is a catchy sound. Lloyd was a British based Reggae singer and this was released in UK on Trojan label (7″), 1977. 19. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP – Winston Reedy. Not to get mixed up with the Rick Astley UK hit this comes with a mid-tempo rhythm and a fine vocal from Reedy. There is some percussion, but never overdone. The vocalist is joined by female vocalists from mid-way through and this track can be found on the album ‘Inner City’. 20. MUSIC MAN – Janet Kay. This was also titled ‘Mr Music Man’ and produced by Lloyd Charmers. It is a Lovers Rock Reggae track and a slowish sound on which one hears Janet’s distinctive voice over a rhythm track with minimal percussion. The artist had a UK hit with ‘Silly Games’ and this track was the b side to ‘What Love Can Do’, released on Sarge label in UK, 1982. 22. LOVE EVERYBODY – Hortense Ellis. This is a slower sound on which Hortense gives his usual polished vocal in front of a cool rhythm track. The vocalist is joined by a vocal backing and this track appears on the album ‘Still In Love’ by Hortense Ellis & Derrick Morgan. 24. HOT HOT HOT – Arrow. This comes as a Calypso sound from an artist who was predominately a Calypso singer. As one would expect it is a fast sound and Arrow is joined by various singers on-and-off. This made the UK charts in 1982 peaking at 59.

CONCLUSION

With the sun being as hot as it has here in the UK this collection contains some very hot recordings and the listener can immerse themselves in the glorious sounds of Jamaica. With 48 tracks and containing tracks by some of Jamaica’s finest artists, such as John Holt, Ken Boothe, Errol Dunkley, Barry Biggs Marcia Griffiths and many more the collection will enhance this and future summers and at £14 99p it should be added to any Jamaican/pop music collection.

Lloyd Miller – Caribbean Way