This album, compiled by Michael De Koningh, is the best compilation of Skinhead Reggae, period (for those who want to know, skinhead reggae is - very basically - early reggae from around '68-71).
It contains some monster rarities (which are still fantastic tunes, which will please both newbies and obsessive collectors alike), from obscure subsidiary record labels of Trojan and Pama records such as Gas, Camel, Escort, Joe, Big Shot, Grape, and Bullet. Seriously, to buy the original vinyl records on here would be a horrific task and would cost you a fortune, so be thankful for people like Mr De Koningh!
This CD has it's own haunting vibe, it's an absolute revelation, with some of the best music ever released which otherwise would only have been be heard by the peope who bought the original 7" in '69!
One of the most amazing things about this album is that you can listen to the tracks with absolutely no knowledge of the music, yet the sound is so raw, compelling, haunting, and mysterious you'll become addicted to it (I swear), and you'll soon be trawling the internet to find out more. You'll know what I mean if you buy it - who the hell are "The Bunny Lee All Stars" anyway!?
From the messy intro of "Ware Fare" by the above mentioned Bunny Lee All Stars, through the metallic reggae scorcher "Reggae Buddy" by The Victors, the haunting vocal in "My Last Date" by Hortense Ellis, to instrumental versions of well known classics like "Annie Pama" by Bunny Lee's All Stars (which is the instrumental version of "Monkey Man" by The Maytals), right up to the UK monsters on the second CD like "Black Panther" by Sir Collins, up to "Your Boss DJ" by Dice the Boss, the amazing quality and variety never lets up. Some of these tracks are so rare that without someone like Mr De Koningh who must have been there in the glory days we would simply never have heard them - and that would be a crime against reggae! The accompanying notes and pictures are amazing, making for a top quality package all round! BUY IT NOW!! I'd give it a million stars if I could!
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