Various - Island Records Presents Reggae Discomixe

by Nicky Crewe

published: 25 / 8 / 2015

Various - Island Records Presents Reggae Discomixe

Label: Universal Music
Format: CD X2

Fabulous double CD of extended 70's mixes with which Island Records goes back to its roots to prove once again that reggae’s got soul

Review

"Essential extended mixes". That’s no exaggeration. These are a perfect reminder of why reggae endures and appeals across the years and the generations. Once upon a time, before the crescents of Hulme rose and fell, when Moss Side was a grid of streets of terraced houses, I occasionally went to a shebeen. These were back street house parties, beer in the scullery, herb in the back yard and ganja on the stairs. The front parlour was a bass speaker. Who knows what the neighbours thought? It was, however, the perfect way to hear reggae music. Listening to this double CD compilation, I longed to transform my front room into a bass speaker. I wanted to convert my car into a sound system, with massive back seat speakers. I was taken back to Rock Against Racism gigs in Alexandra Park and the infamous Sus Laws. I remembered following behind one of the first Caribbean carnivals in Moss Side in the Manchester drizzle. A few years later and I had seen the the Wailers on their first tour. I was a fan of Culture and Burning Spear. By a twist of fate I was also on the mailing list for promotional copies of newly released Island LPs, many of which I still have, complete with their ‘Promotional Copy Only’ stickers. I love these extended dub versions of tracks by a mix of artists, some better known and more mainstream than others. George Faith, Third World, Steel Pulse, Rico, Linton Kwesi Johnson, the Mighty Diamonds, Lee Scratch Perry, Aswad, Toots and the Maytals, Burning Spear, Inner Circle, Gregory Isaacs, Junior Murvin – it’s a roll call of many of those 1970's albums I was sent. Lovers rock and biblical rant. Check out the contrast between Pablo Moses ‘Proverbs Extractions’ and the Mighty Diamonds' ‘Pass the Kouchie’, (later reworked as 'Pass the Dutchie' by Musical Youth). Fabian’s ‘Prophecy’ is a reminder of her early talent. As a compilation it’s like a lovingly made cassette highlighting Island’s incredible reggae output. More dance hall than disco, I hope the compilation’s title doesn’t give the wrong impression. "Music so sweet for your dancing feet", as Tony Tuff sings.