For such a tiny island, Jamaica has had an extraordinary influence on popular music. Indeed it can be demonstrated that the whole practice of modern dance music – rap, remix, personality deejays, and dubplates – originated in Jamaica. This album attempts, in part, to redress the balance; the tracks selected are like a snapshot that portrays the truly marvellous and expressive popular culture that evolved in Jamaica’s ghetto dancehalls. Over the last 50 years, it has proved itself a vibrant and multi faceted popular music, and one that remains accessible – in a way that is both modern and strikingly democratic – too many people, both in Jamaica and the rest of the world.
Track 1: Laurel Aiten – Mas Charlie (Prisoner song)
Track 2: Basil Gabbidon – Going back to Ja
Track 3: Maytals – John & James
Track 4: Baba Brooks – Shank I Sheck
Track 5: Ken Boothe & Stranger Cole – Home Home Home
Track 6: Phyllis Dillon – Don’t stay away
Track 7: Lord Creator – Such is life
Track 8: Roland Alphonso – Payton Place
Track 9: John Holt – Everybody needs love
Track 10: Impact All Stars feat. Tommy McCook – Jaro
Track 11: I-Roy – Hospital trolley
Track 12: Cornel Campbell – I shall not remove
Track 13: Dennis Brown – Together Brothers
Track 14: Big Youth – Wolf in Sheep clothing
Track 15: Lopez Walker – Fly Away
Track 16: Triston Palma – Spliff Tail
Track 17: Junior Reed – Boom Scack a Lack
Track 18: Home T. Cocoa Tea & Shabba Ranks – Holding on
Track 19: Yami Bolo – Blood a run
Track 2o: Luciano – Poor & Simple