Your favourite body of work (JA-wise)?

[Freddy C]

Do you have a favourite body of work from all of Jamaica's musical catalogue?

Any particular artist / producer combo, any favourite few years from a particular label / producer's output, any key musicians you listen for? A few examples:

Heptones at Studio One

Roots Radics + Linval / Roots Radics + 'Junjo'

Skatalites + Justin Yap

Johnny Clarke + Bunny Lee

Duke Reid's Rock Steady productions

90's roots from Xterminator

early 80's DJ's

Tubby dubbing Bunny Lee productions / Tubby dubbing Glen Brown productions

Lee Perry's Black Ark era

[wellcharge]

Gregory Isaacs' African Museum label late 70s-early 80s
DATC
Aswad's pre-pop years

[cj]

Don Carlos (and Gold). Enjoyed everything he did (or at least that which I heard), up until circa "Just A Passing Glance" when he went a bit 'LA' for my taste and we parted ways

[artfuldodger]

Here comes the Man Jackie Mittoo, The King of the Arena! Anyway, lots of stuff from lots of sources, years, countries and thus far, I even like the digital stuff he did in Ghana so sure- I think Jackie's body of work, in it's entirety, is my favorite

[Freddy C]

Jackie Mittoo must certainly be about the MOST overlooked musician in the scene. He was resposible for so much and then Mr. Dodd got all the credit.

I remember being really sad to hear that he'd died in Canada (so young) all those years ago - 1990? - and I think to many he was just another musician credit on the back of umpteen album sleeves. Surely the recognition of his vital importance at Studio One has only been acknowledged since his death?

I've had mixed feeling about Studio One. Firstly because of their bad pressings: I have the most unlistenable Wailing Souls LP ; and later because of How Bob Andy's songs are not credited to him and Songbook must be one of the biggest selling S1 albums ever.

Certainly a favourite of mine.

[artfuldodger]

Yes Freddy- yes to all sentiments above. I have a friend who hates Jamaican music (well, I have many of those as I am sure we all do) but loves the organ. I started off with some early sides, moved to Sound Dimension, anded on Wishbone and he was floored. Has now turned into the biggest Jackie Mittoo fan there is.
Anyway- yes, when Ska broke, Jackie was there. When it slowed down, Jackie was there. when the SKinheads bought it up, Jackie was there, When it got Funky, Jackie was there- no greater in my opinion, but Leroy is pretty high up there. I do not know all the tracks he is playing bass on as I can't get in touch with him directly, but I don't know how one man can be responsible for so many great songs I do know about ON TOP of his Heptones output. Definately another one that has been overlooked IMO in terms of HUGE contribution.

[Funky Dread]

artfuldodger said:

... When it got Funky, Jackie was there-

He sure was.

[al]

i've always been partial to bunny lee's association with King tubby's. for my money, the best recorded output in reggae's history...

[grumpy]

Pretty much anything I've heard with the name Leslie Kong attached.

Also the whole-hearted tunes associated with Roy Francis (Phase One).

And I'ld have to go a long way before switching anything off involving Leonard Dillon or Joseph Hill.

[dudley1ne4]

Bunny Lee [from rock steady to early 80's]