Rocksteady - Monty Alexander & Ernest Ranglin

Advantages: Great fun music. Sunshine on a rainy day...
Disadvantages: Watch out if you have a dodgy back!

...The Rockers Satta Massagana 54-46 (Was My Number) Ball Of Fire Black Disciples Bourbon Street Skank None Shall Escape The Judgement Nana's Chalk Pipe Below The Bassline And a muscicians list (also easily available off the 'net) Ernest Ranglin Guitar Gary Mayone Percussion & Keyboards Idris Muhammad Drums Ira Coleman Acoustic Bass Monty Alexander Piano & Melodica (also Producer) Roland Alphonso Soprano & Tenor Sax Please forgive me for not ranting on about each of these guys, but as I have already said I'm no expert on Reggae - I just love this album - and I'm sure there is plenty elsewhere about each of them. In summary, why do I like this album? Its fun. Pure and simple. Its sounds like the guys had fun when they made it, it draws you into it and gets you moving and emotionaly involved. If you can sit still and listen... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A Great album for the collection
Disadvantages: It would mean more to me, personally, if it was on vinyl

...Although only now, being 17 years of age, this album is sure to be the album of my life. Mr. Rocksteady is the epitome of a mood setter for a night out, and without a doubt this man has got soul. This album is compiled of hit after hit of rocksteady renditions of songs such as "Puppet on a String" and "I dont want to see you cry". Such sing a long tunes make you want to put this album on repeat from morning until night, and until someone else puts as much into an album as Ken Boothe has with Mr. Rocksteady, then this will continue to play from my stereo. If soul and movement and rocking steady is what you're looking for, then this is sure to be a great album to your collection.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: some classic reggae tracks including Rivers of babylon
Disadvantages: 2 tracks are repeated

...shantytown low-life gangster (played by Jimmy Cliff) and his Robin Hood style journey from disaster to tragedy in the Jamaican slums. It was, and is, a brilliantly engaging film to which the Brazilian film 'City of God' owes not a little of its style and atmosphere. The soundtrack, as well as complimenting the atmosphere of the film, in its compilation nicely represents that form of pre-Marley reggae known as Rock-Steady. Together with Ska, Rock-Steady came directly from Calypso and retained some of its 'jauntiness' while still being able to be sometimes dark and mournful. Half the tracks on the CD are performed by Jimmy Cliff himself, as is the first: *1-You Can Get It If You Really Want* Well known track that hit the mainstream charts. Up tempo reggae. *2-Draw Your Brakes* Sung by 'Scotty', a popular Jamaican DJ in the 60's and 70's. He... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful