Unity
Artist: Shinehead
Community Score: 10.00

Shinehead's unique fusion of dancehall and hip-hop might've had something to do with why it failed to make much of a dent in any of the Billboard charts. While reggae's influence upon hip-hop was made known at the time with MCs like KRS-One, no one was truly blending the two styles like Shinehead. Unity is a little too reggae to be considered... Read More

Live at Maritime Hall
Artist: Lee "Scratch" Perry

This wonderful concert album was recorded during Lee Perry's 1997 U.S. tour. Backed by the rock-solid Robotiks band (whose live sound was dubbed up and weirded out during the tour by Mad Professor), Scratch confirms all the rumors that have circulated about him for decades: yes, he is a madman, yes, he is here to heap condemnation upon the heads... Read More

Curly Locks: The Best of Junior Byles
Artist: Junior Byles

Not the complete recordings of Junior Byles by a long shot, but the best collection of his solo material currently on the market. All of the solo hits are here as well as a good amount of previously unreleased material and outtakes. The revelatory tracks include "A Place Called Africa" and "Informer Man" both of which show off the richness of... Read More

Caan Dun
Artist: Shabba Ranks
King Tubby's Special 1973-1976
Artist: King Tubby

This two-disc set brings together some of the finest dub mixes ever produced by the legendary King Tubby. The first disc compiles 13 tracks played by the Observer All Stars and originally produced by Winston "Niney" Holness; the second consists of 17 cuts by the Aggrovators (produced by Bunny Lee) and includes the collection's title track, a DJ... Read More

World Power
Artist: Donovan
The Upsetter Compact Set
Artist: Lee "Scratch" Perry
Sly & Robbie Present Gregory Isaacs
Artist: Gregory Isaacs

Gregory Isaacs has recorded so often and for so many labels, it's both difficult and almost impossible to label anything other than individual compositions as his finest work. But this early-'70s session for Sly And Robbie's Taxi label certainly ranks among his finest full LPs. There were no flimsy soul or pop covers, and Isaacs sang with... Read More

Red Rose for Gregory
Artist: Gregory Isaacs
Community Score: 10.00

Although Isaacs released dozens of sublime singles after his international smash "Night Nurse," his copious album output meant that many of his full-lengths were less than stellar affairs, and often compilations are a safer bet. However, there are some '80s albums well worth seeking out, with Red Rose for Gregory among them. Recorded for... Read More

Funky Kingston
Artist: Toots & the Maytals
Community Score: 9.00

Bob Marley may have been the man who took reggae to the international audience and became Jamaica's greatest musical star, but it was Toots Hibbert who gave reggae music its name (so what if he spelled it "reggay"), and he led one of the tightest and most soulful bands the music has ever known. Even more important, Toots has a voice that's... Read More

Conscious Party
Artist: Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers

The Melody Makers' breakout album, and why is clear from the opening notes of the title track which kicks off the set. Producers Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, of Talking Heads fame, gloss the record with a perfect electro-sheen, helping shine the pop edges to a sharp gleam, while still emphasizing the dance beats. The Melody Makers add the... Read More

Chapter 2 of "Words"
Artist: Lee "Scratch" Perry

The 22 tracks on Chapter 2 of "Words" all date from 1972-1973, a period when Lee "Scratch" Perry was a sort of nomad, recording tracks at various studios and mixing them at King Tubby's. The music reflects this, varying widely in sound and feel, from the traditional to the far-out, from the heartfelt to the downright goofy. This lack of cohesion... Read More