Trojan Reggae Sisters Box Set - Various Artists

Advantages: Amazing track selection, value for money
Disadvantages: None!

...'s All Stars, "Skinheads A Bash Them" by Claudette & The Corporation, "Skinhead A Message To You" by Desmond Riley, "Skinhead Revolt" by Joe The Boss. These tracks might be unknown to you now, but a few days after listening to them they'll be your new favourites and you'll be making tapes for your mates! If you like this CD you should also check out the Trojan CD's "Dancehall '69", "Skinhed Revolt" and "Dawning of a New Era", and you'll soon have an amazing Skinhead reggae selection that would cost you around £5,000 on the original vinyl. The CDs come in paper sleeves with some notes, but for the money the music is all you need! Seriously, buy this. NOW.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Timeless classics; 50 tracks for £7
Disadvantages: Recording quality of older tracks

...brought out of receivership by Saga who concentrated more of albums rather than singles and consequently the 7" single under the Trojan banner was phased out. 30 of the 50 tracks on this album appear on CD for the first time given their previus rarity. This box-set is one of many themed sets currently on the market. Others include UK Singles, Dub, Instrumental, Reggae Sisters, Soulful Reggae, Reggae Brothers, Lovers, Ska and Calypso. There are many others coming onto the market. Trojan is enjoying something of an Indian summer with their reissuing of nearly every track from their vaults. I estimate there are around 30 of these themed box-sets on the market and occasionally songs from one set does overlap onto another, but with such a wealth of material available to the compilers, it does happen too much. ---WHAT DOES IT SOUND... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Cost, Range of Tracks overall, Original layout
Disadvantages: Disc 1 length

...The Island Records Anthology Box Set is a must for any Reggae fans. The box set is divided into three eras; 1959-1973 Ska to Reggae, including artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Don Drummond & the Skatellites and Desmond Dekker. This section portrays the upbeat, happy rhythms of Ska changing to Reggae later in this CD. In contrast Disc 2 gives us the 'Party time, roots and dub' of the 70s with Third World, Dillinger, Steel Pulse and Junior Murvin featuring their work. This disc provides a ride through the classic era of reggae at it height of popularity. The Final disc gives a modern take of reggae from 1980-2005 in 'Jamrock' with electronic elements and different melodies from Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown and Damian Marley, showing a transition to a more upbeat tempo. In my opinion the structure of the Island Records... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful