Putumayo Presents: Jamaica (2001)

Old School Reggae at It's Finest!

A Reggae fan couldn't ask for more.

This collection contains some of the best Jamaican music ever recorded, by some of the most influential and talented Jamaican artists.

"Toots" Hibbert and his incredibly talented Maytals, start the thing off in fine fashion with "Reggae Got Soul", a Motown r&b influenced rocker.

Joseph Hill of Culture explains his childhood influences in "Why Am I a Rastaman", a truly classic cut. If you love bumping to the sound of "hard reggae", this is for you.

The Jimmy Cliff track "Give The People Wwhat They Want" is a perfect example of socially cognizant music that you can't resist dancing to...(He works some strange electronic sounds into the mix on this one)

One of the best cuts on the disc (and that's saying a lot) is an instrumental, Rico's "Midnight in Ethiopia". The bass and horns are in perfect sync, rich, deep and full... They create a melancholy feeling, but never lose the powerful and upbeat undercurrent..Amazing.

"Upside Down", by Joe Higgs is a peppy little song, reminiscient of some of Bobby McFerrin's or Johnny Nash's pop stuff.....Nothing really special, but a fun tune.

More seriously, Israel Vibration's "Apple" Craig gives one possible solution for a more peaceful society: more Reggae ( himself in particular) " 'pon your MTV!" in the classic "Rudeboy Shufflin'"

Ras Michael, a Nyabhingi/Burru (the drum sounds that make music instantly recognizable as reggae) drummer of the old school, presents a roots Rastafarian song of hope for those still struggling in poverty on "None a Jah Jah Children No Cry". The drumming in this song is truly awesome...

The Gladiator's cut "Streets of Freedom" is another classic by a wonderful group of musicians little known to any but hardcore Reggae fans..Here's hoping this review will convince others to seek out more of their excellent and pure reggae....

"Sponji Reggae" by Black Uhuru makes an appearance here...a great selection, and probably one that is familiar to the many people who love this band.

Augustus Pablo brings us the "dub" in "Point Blank" with his melodica, a strange instrument, part recorder, part keyboard, and in his hands, all reggae...Great Stuff!

And, to wrap it up, Mr.Tosh brings it hard (as usual) with "Mystery Babylon"...What can I say about this original Wailer? He's great, and melodic, and politically subversive (The queen of England probably wouldn't care for this tune) with, as nearly always, excellent results.

This compilation was released by Putumayo in 2001, but it's as good today as anything out there.

To those reggae neophytes who claim Marley's absence lessens the relevance of this collection, I gotta say: Expand your musical horizons, people. Bob Marley introduced the world at large to this music, but a true music lover will benefit by seeing what else is out there in this little known genre....

Also missing (but not missed by me) is any trace of the new "reggaeton" type sound. This disc is the "classic rock" for those of you like the Roots and the Rock and the Reggae.