Cant believe it was back in 83/84 when this first came out.
Still a modern (1984 modern!) Classic backed by Sly n Robbie and Taxi Gang.
I think the original Island vinyl pressing is still the way to go. Some of the streams I’ve come across butcher the original extended mixes. I found one out of 3 editions on Tidal that has the original extended mixes intact. I think the SQ on the original LP is best.
Every track a gem, World A Music of course was sampled and formed the basis of Damian Marleys modern Reggae anthem Welcome To Jamrock which spawned countless “versions” including Anthony B World A Reggae Music
The MPS label has a great catalogue of music and I’m really pleased to find most of the recordings for MPS by Ernest Ranglin & Monty Alexander on Tidal
Jamaican Monty Alexander is a man with two musical faces: many know him best as a piano virtuoso and heir to Oscar Peterson’s thrown. On Rass he is a master of electric keyboard jazz-funk heavily seasoned by the musical spices of his homeland. Recorded in Kingston in 1974 with ace local players, Rass features the legendary Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin , one of the musicians who helped mold the sound known as ska. Alexander covers two Al Greene soul classics, Let’s Stay Together and Love and Happiness . They mirror the sex and soul of the originals as well as dish out a taste of the island. Sly Mongoose , Yellow Bird , and Limbo are traditional Caribbean melodies played funky with calypso-reggae-ska inflections. Alexander and Ranglin exhibit effortless give-and-take interspersed with exploratory solos over a funky foundation. By the way, rass is an all-purpose Jamaican expletive: “Rass, dot som funky music, mon”.
He was even seen singing Silly Games in this great scene if I’m not mistaken
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Tidal Master/MQA
Based on the Blood & Fire label remastering, this is the much expanded 3 disc edition that came out a few years back as an RSD release.
This edition includes the original first mix of the album that was released in Jamaica and the mix that came out on The Beat’s Go Feet label plus 12"single mixes etc
Time had been cruel to the original 1/4" tapes when Blood & Fire rediscovered them and went through extensive restoration and processing which inevitably impacts SQ, nevertheless the original vibe still shines through.
The Congo’s (Cedric Myton, Congo Ashanti Roy & Watty Burnett) spiritual, righteous and mystical Vocals filtered through Lee Scratch Perry’s heady, psychedelic mixing laboratory.
Kick back and be transported in Scratch’s time machine to the Black Ark circa 1977
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Having a Black Uhuru Sunday afternoon: chill out, red and sinsemilla ( I wish) 
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One if my favourite vocal groups The Wailing Souls led by the lovely distinctive voice of Winston Pipe Matthew’s with Lloyd Bread McDonald, the third member of the trio varied over the years including arguably most notably Garth Dennis who was a founder member of the original Black Uhuru.
The two core members Pipe and Bread have linked up with Italian reggae superstar Alborosie who has produced a new album with them for The Greensleves label, Back A Yard Well worth checking out
The group formed in the late sixties and recorded their marvelous debut for Studio One around 1970 but wasnt released until a few years later. Original versions of classic tunes that were later re recorded and popularised at Channel One Studio with Sly & The Revolutionaries, great tunes but for my money the original Studio One cuts are my go too selection.
Also at Channel One with The Roots Radics Band and producer Junjo Lawes they released in the early eighties the absolutely essential Firehouse Rock album on the Greensleeves label
The consummate roots band, the Wailing Souls may never have gained the international reputation of their compatriots, at least not at the height of the genre’s popularity, but they did outlive most of them. Their very survival has been their greatest strength, that and their ability to diversify over time
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Dont overlook these two earlier classics
Produced by Prince Jammy essential earlier tracks like Love Crisis, I Love King Sellassie, African Love, Natural Mystic…
The original LP plus the Prince Jammy dubs are/were available on an expanded CD, I’m pleased to find it’s also available as a Tidal Master.
The self titled LP released by Virgin (Vital Selection) around 1980.
Every track an essential gem and full length extended mixes.
Shine Eye Gal
Leaving To Zion
General Penitentiary
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
Abortion
Natural Reggae Beat
Plastic Smile
Enjoy
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Tidal Master
Put on an iron shirt and chase the devil out of earth! - Max Romeo
The wonderfully eccentric Lee Scratch Perry at the controls from his essential mid seventies Black Ark period…
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One worth seriously checking out are a group called ‘Poet and the Roots’ who recorded tracks to Linton Kwesi Johnson’s poems. They’ve only got the one album, but it’s really good and is on Qobuz (maybe Tidal too).
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Glad you mentioned Steel Pulse…I never thought i like reggae till a mate introduced me to Handsworth Revolution…its gorgeous (had to get it from Sweden via discogs) Also really enjoy Hollie Cook, and love Third World Journey to Addis…that’s the extent of my reggae knowledge… but they are treasured records in collection
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Dread Beat And Blood
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Thanks Dread, I have the 2nd but not the 1st
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New from the always entertaining Macka B, social commentary and often hilarious sense of humour.
Peckings production who specialise in recording current artists over original vintage Studio One & Treasure Isle rhythm tracks.
If you are liking those you need to check out the quintessential albums from both groups:
Third World - 96 degrees in the Shade
Steel Pulse - True Democracy
Hollie Cook’s debut album is stunning. Still play it today. But then again did you expect any less considering her pedigree
Best
Gregg
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I would add that all Steel Pulse albums are nigh on essential, with the possible exception of the imo disappointing Vex.
That said, whilst Handsworth Revolution seems to get most recognition, the album that most impacted me was Tribute To The Martyrs, that album led me to read and learn about George Jackson & Steve Biko for example
The band has had many line up changes over the years but David Hinds & Sydney Mills have always kept the Pulse sound fresh, vibrant and relevant
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Cheers Greg, good shout! 96 degrees is brilliant. A copy is winging its way to me as I type!
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@glevethan @mookielagoo
Greetings guys.
You may be interested to know that whilst ostensibly on the surface the song 96 Degrees In The Shade appears to be an uplifting tune about a hot summer, its actually much darker and is about the 1865 Morant Bay Rebellion led by Jamaican Hero Paul Bogle who along with others was swiftly executed.
The tune initially was released with the title 1865 and a different mix, the title changed to 96 Degrees for the international market, presumably for commercial reasons.
Enjoy
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