Heart of the Congos
Artist: The Congos

Lee Perry is generally acknowledged as a production genius, but on occasion that genius can be destructive, and while there's no disputing his talent, sometimes the results can be less than aurally satisfying. This is especially true when it comes to albums, where Perry's efforts were often erratic. On Heart of the Congos he was brilliant, and... Read More

The Singable Songs Collection
Artist: Raffi
Live at Yankee Stadium, Vol. 2
Artist: Fania All-Stars
Live at Yankee Stadium, Vol. 1
Artist: Fania All-Stars

In the '70s, Fania Records was often called "the Motown of salsa," and in fact, Fania was every bit as important to salsa as Motown was to soul. Fania's '70s roster boasted some of the decade's biggest names in Afro-Cuban music; so when Fania assembled a band called the Fania All-Stars, you knew that some major-league salseros would be on board.... Read More

The Best of Gregory Isaacs, Vol. 1 - CHANNEL ONE
Artist: Gregory Isaacs

Gregory Isaacs had been haunting the Kingston studios since 1968, but it wasn't until 1973 that the singer notched up a hit, and another year before he finally topped the chart. That first number one, "Love Is Overdue," was produced by Alvin Ranglin, one of a slew of sensational songs Isaacs cut for the former Maytone in the mid-'70s. Like many... Read More

Naturally
Artist: Marcia Griffiths

This is one of two exceptional albums Marcia Griffiths recorded in the late 1970s for producer Sonia Pottinger's High Note label. Her singing voice (known to many now from the years she spent as part of Bob Marley's backing trio, the I-Threes) is a thing of wonder, almost classical in its nuanced sweetness and perfect control. Opening with... Read More

Follow My Mind
Artist: Jimmy Cliff
Community Score: 7.25

Perhaps more than any other Jamaican singer, Jimmy Cliff always had his sights set on the international market, and while he obviously works from a reggae base, his sound -- featuring full productions often cushioned with strings -- completely defines what has come to be known as reggae-pop. Ironically, given that it was his contemporary Bob... Read More

Harder Than the Best
Artist: Burning Spear

After gaining exposure with producer Clement Dodd between 1969-1975, Burning Spear (aka Winston Rodney) and singing partners Rupert Willington and Delroy Hinds cut a handful of stunning albums for Island over the next three years. The first two releases, Garvey's Ghost and Man in the Hills, were produced by Jack Ruby and introduced Jamaicans and... Read More

Live
Artist: Burning Spear

After recording two exceptional albums under Clement Dodd at Studio One (Presenting and Rocking Time), Winston Rodney (aka Burning Spear) signed to Island Records. The albums that followed (Marcus Garvey and Man in the Hills) quickly established him as one of the finest, most impassioned practitioners of the flowering roots style. Live, this... Read More

The Most from Beny More
Artist: Beny Moré

Even though this reissue lacks documentation except for titles, his biggest '50s hits are a basic item for your collection. Worth every cent and more. ~ Ned Sublette & John Storm Roberts, All Music Guide Read More

Baby Beluga
Artist: Raffi
Community Score: 10.00

From probably the world's most popular whale, this record is a delight. For ages three to eight. ~ Bob Hinkle, All Music Guide Read More

Corner Grocery Store and Other Singable Songs
Artist: Raffi

Raffi is something of an heir to the children's music of such folkies as Pete Seeger and the Babysitters. In Corner Grocery Store and Other Singable Songs, he is especially interested in adapting some familiar folksongs -- "Pick a Bale o' Cotton," "Goodnight Irene" -- as children's songs, along with such traditional material as "Frère Jacques."... Read More

Singable Songs for the Very Young
Artist: Raffi
Community Score: 7.00

This is the one that started it all, still one of the most popular recordings for children. For ages four to ten. ~ Bob Hinkle, All Music Guide Read More

Columbia Colly
Artist: Jah Lion
Community Score: 10.00

Jah Lion (aka Jah Lloyd) was one of the deejays that Lee "Scratch" Perry used as a vocalist in the late '70s, and this is an excellent early effort of dub mixes that show the beginnings of Perry's surrealistic, idiosyncratic approach to remixing. The record is a tad on the obscure side and only reggae fanatics might recognize the vocal snippets,... Read More