"War Ina Babylon – An Island Reggae Anthology" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (May 2009 Universal/Island 3CD BOX SET of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…You Make My Heart Go Giddy Up…You Set My World on Fire..."

Released 25 May 2009 - "War Ina Babylon: An Island Reggae Anthology" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Universal Island 531 833-1 (Barcode 600753183311) is a 64-track 3CD Mini Box Set with music spanning between 1962 and 2005. It was released as part of the Island Records 50th Anniversary celebrations (1959-2009) and as such contains some of the label's hardest-to-find music/vinyl - much of which has never been on CD before (the Island Records Folk/Folk-Rock equivalent is called "Meet on The Ledge..." see separate review).

Fans have eagerly awaited this box set of remasters and frankly frank - it’s been worth the 'irration in the nation'. Here's a detailed breakdown of the tracks with catalogue numbers provided for the first time (most songs are UK 7” singles unless otherwise noted):

Disc 1 - "The Harder They Come - Ska To Reggae 1959-1973" (76:55 minutes):

1. Boogie in My Bones – LAUREL AITKEN (1965 UK 7" single, Island WI-198, A)

2. We're Gonna Love – WILDRED 'JACKIE' EDWARDS (1963 UK MONO LP "The Most Of Wilfred Jackie Edwards" on Island ILP 906)

3. Darling Patricia – OWEN GRAY (1962 UK 7" single, Island WI-002, A)

4. Forward March – DERRICK MORGAN (1962 UK 7" single, Island WI-011, A)

5. Housewives Choice – DERRICK MORGAN & PATSY (1962 UK 7" single, Island WI-018, A)

6. Honour Your Mother And Father – DESMOND DEKKER (1963 UK 7" single, Island WI-054, A)

7. King Of Kings – JIMMY CLIFF (1963 UK 7" single, Island WI-070, A)

8. Exodus – ERNEST RANGLIN (1963 UK 7" single, Island WI-128, A) - Instrumental

9. Eastern Standard Time – DON DRUMMOND & THE SKATALITES (1964 UK 7" single, Island WI-149, A) - Instrumental

10. My Boy Lollipop – MILLIE (SMALL) (a 1964 song on the 1967 UK MONO LP "The Best Of Millie Small" on Island ILP 953 - UK 7" single credited to MILLIE)

11. Carry Go Bring Come – JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES (1964 UK 7" single, Island WI-154, A)

12. Bonanza Ska – CARLOS MALCOM & HIS AFRO JAMACIAN RHYTHMS (1965 UK 7" single, Island WI-173, A)

13. Sweet William – MILLIE (SMALL) (as per 10)

14. Dance Crasher – ALTON ELIS & THE FLAMES (1965 UK 7" single, Island WI-235, A)

15. Guns Fever – THE BABA BROOKS BAND (1965 UK 7" single, Island WI-229, A)

16. Take It Easy – HOPETON LEWIS (1967 UK MONO LP "Take It Easy: Rocksteady With Hopeton Lewis" on Island ILP 957)

17. On The Beach – THE PARAGONS (1967 UK 7" single, Island WI-3045, A)

18. You Don't Care (You'll Want Me Back) – THE TECHNIQUES (1967 UK MONO LP "Duke Reid's Rock Steady" on Island ILP 958 – a VARIOUS ARTISTS compilation featuring The Techniques)

19. Stop That Train – KEITH & TEX (1967 UK 7" single, Island WI-3091, A)

20. Rock Steady – ALTON ELLIS & THE FLAMES (as per 18)

21. My Conversation – THE UNIQUES (1968 UK 7" single, Island WI-3122, A)

22. Ride Your Donkey – THE TENNORS (1968, Island WI-3188, A)

23. Take Five – VAL BENNETT (1968 UK 7" single, Island WI-3146, aka "The Russians Are Coming - Take Five")

24. Hold You Jack – DERRICK MORGAN (1968 UK 7" single, Island WI-3159, A)

25. The Harder They Come – JIMMY CLIFF (1972 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6139, A)

26. Breakfast In Bed – LOMA BENNETT (1972 UK 7" single, Blue Mountain BM-1013, A)

27. This Is Reggae Music – ZAP POW (1973 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6181, A)

Disc 2 - "Party Time, Roots, Dub & Lovers 1973-1979" (78:29 minutes):

1. Book Of Rules – THE HEPTONES (1973 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6179, A)

2. Marcus Garvey – BURNING SPEAR (1975 UK LP "Marcus Garvey" on Island ILPS 9355)

3. King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown – AUGUSTUS PABLO (1975 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6226, A)

4. Carry Go Bring Come (Reggae Version) – JUSTIN HINDS & THE DOMINOES (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6261, A - Remake of a 1964 track)

5. Reggae Got Soul – TOOTS & THE MAYTALS (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6296, A)

6. Police And Thieves – JUNIOR MURVIN (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6316, A)

7. Soldier And Police War – JAH LION (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6356, A)

8. War Ina Babylon – MAX ROMEO (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6283, A)

9. Back To Africa – ASWAD (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6312, A)

10. Roast Fish And Corn Bread – LEE PERRY (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6326, A)

11. Cokane In My Brain – DILLINGER (1977 UK 7" single, Black Swan WIP 6416, A) miscredited in booklet as WIP 6334)

12. Ballistic Affair – LEROY SMART (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6353, A)

13. Party Time – THE HEPTONES (1976 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6364, A)

14. 96 Degrees In The Shade – THIRD WORLD (1977 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6413, A)

15. Ska Wars – RICO (1978 UK 12” single on Island IPR 2006, A) (miscredited as IPR 2002)

16. Prodigal Son – STEEL PULSE (1978 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6449, A)

17. Want Fi Goh Rave – LINTON KWESI JOHNSON (1979 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6494, A)

18. Love And Devotion – JIMMY RILEY (1981 UK LP "Rydim Driven" on Island ILPS 9671 (miscredited as released in 1979))

19. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner – BLACK UHURU (1980 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6626, A)

Disc 3 - "Welcome To Jamrock 1980-2005" (79:26 minutes):

1. (Stalk Of) Sensimilla – BLACK UHURU (1980 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6626, A)

2. Warrior Charge – ASWAD (1980 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6646, A)

3. The Bed’s Too Big Without You – SHEILA HYLTON (1980 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6671, A)

4. Fort Augustus – JUNIOR DELGADO (1981 Various Artists LP called "Sly And Robbie Present Taxi" on Island ILPS 9662)

5. One Love Jamdown – PAPA MICHIGAN & GENERAL SMILEY – (1980 UK 12” single on Island/Tuff Gong IPR 2035, A)

6. Sitting And Watching – DENNIS BROWN (1982 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6777, A)

7. Night Nurse – GREGORY ISAACS (1982 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6800, A)

8. Pass The Kouchie – THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS (1982 UK 7" single, Island WIP 6838, A)

9. What is Life – BLACK UHURU (1984 UK 7" single, Island IS 150, A)

10. Revolution – DENNIS BROWN (1983 UK 12” single on Island/Taxi IPR 2059, A)

11. Trouble You A Troble Me – INI KAMOZE (1983 UK 12” single on Island/Taxi IPR 2061, A)

12. Oh What A Feeling – GREGORY ISAACS (1983, Island/Taxi TX 03, A)

13. Don’t Turn Around – ASWAD (1988, Island/Mango IS 341, A)

14. Tease Me – CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS (1983, Island/Mango CIDM 806, A)

15. Boom Shack A Lack – APACHE INDIAN (1993, on the "Nuff Vibes EP" Island CID 560)

16. Murder She Wrote – CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS (1994, Island/Mango CIDM 812)

17. Whine And Grine – PRINCE BUSTER (1998, Island CID 691)

18. Welcome To Jamrock – DAMIEN MARLEY (2005, Island MCSTD 40432)

LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT has penned the extremely detailed 28-page booklet. Reggae fans will know his name - he co-authored the fabulous "Young Gifted & Black" book about Trojan Records and also did the well-knowledgeable liner notes for the Deluxe Editions of Tighten Up 1 and 2 (see separate reviews for all 3). Each page features 3 pictures beside the text showing rare label variations, artist photos, obscure album sleeves, trade adverts, music industry charts...etc. If I was to complain it's that the booklet is small and the pictures hard to see let alone appreciate – and where’s Bob Marley – their biggest Reggae star?

The remastering is done by TIM DEBNEY at Fluid Mastering and being Reggae Music the sound quality ranges from muddy and awful in the early Sixties to sublime in the Seventies and Eighties - Disc 2 and 3 being particularly good - warm, clear and ballsy without being too brash. And it has to be said that sheer charm of the Sixties Ska on Disc 1 shines through regardless of production values.

The song choices are clever too - the rare 12" IPR series that has been reissued by other labels because you just can't get the originals other than in battered condition - the superb LP-only songs like The Techniques track on "Duke Reid's Rock Steady" - an album I've seen once in my life. Purists will however cringe at the inclusion of Aswad's horridly commercial "Don't Turn Around" (I bet their bank-accounts loved it though) but will appreciate the inclusion of their superb brass and harmonica-driven instrumental "Warrior Charge" which is very hard to find now (I’ve seen it at 4 times its Price Guide value). It all goes a bit pear-shaped towards the end of Disc 3 but "Whine and Grine" and "Boom Shack A Lack" are still great fun.

There’s always been something magical about Island Records and Reggae Music and this fabulous little Box set only hammers that home. Top-notch jam rock and big time recommended…

PS: it's companion volume "Meet On The Ledge" (pictured below) is reviewed separately

“Tighten Up Volume 2: Deluxe Edition” by VARIOUS ARTISTS (March 2009 Universal/Sanctuary/Trojan CD Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This review and hundreds more like it can also be found in my 
SOUNDS GOOD Music Book: 1960s and 1970s MUSIC Volume 2 
- Exceptional CD Remasters 

It contains over 210 in-depth reviews (a whopping 2400+ e-Pages) 
And is available to buy/download at Amazon at the following link...

"...No Matter What The People Say…These Sounds Lead The Day…"

Complete with their risqué sleeves – the iconic "Tighten Up" series of vinyl albums on Trojan Records began in Britain in January 1969 and ended 8 volumes later in early 1973 when sales simply fizzled out. Warmly remembered to this day as fantastic party music - these budget-priced LP compilations introduced wonderfully evocative Jamaican Reggae and Ska to British youngsters ravenous for it. Available in every Woolworths up and down the land - these cheap and cheerful compilations were bought up in truckloads. Time to celebrate the nation in irritation and let the h-action begin…

UK Released 16 March 2009 - "Tighten Up Volume 2: Deluxe Edition" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Universal/Sanctuary/Trojan 1797062 (Barcode 02517970625) is a 2CD set that massively expands the original budget LP. So here are the Long Shots Kicking De Buckets and the Reggae In Your Jeggae (if you know what I'm saying)…

Disc 1 (66:47 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 12 make up the album “Tighten Up Volume 2” issued on Trojan Records TTL 7 in November 1969. Like Volume 1 from January 1969, the 2nd in the series was made up of the label’s hottest singles from the preceding months  – they’re listed below…

1. Long Shot Kick De Bucket – THE PIONEERS - Trojan 672 [A] (August 1969)

2. John Jones – RUDY MILLS - Big Shot BI 509 [A] (January 1969)

3. Fire Corner – KING STITT - Duke DU 30 [A] (June 1969) [lyrics are the title of this review]

4. Wreck A Buddy – THE SOUL SISTERS - Amalgamated AMG-839 [A] (May 1969)

5. Reggae In Your Jeggae – DANDY - Downtown DT-410 [A] (February 1969)

6. Fatty Fatty – CLANCY ECCLES - Trojan TR-658 [A] (May 1969)

7. Return Of Django – THE UPSETTERS - Upsetter US-301 [A] (May 1969)

8. Sufferer – THE KINGSTONIANS - Big Shot BI-508 [A] (January 1969)

9. Moonlight Lover – JOYA LANDIS - Trojan TR-641 [A] (January 1969)

10. Come Into My Parlour – THE BLEECHERS - Upsetter US-314 [A] (July 1969)

11. Them A Laugh And A Kiki – THE SOULMATES - Amalgamated AMG-836 [A] (March 1969)

12. Live Injection – THE UPSETTERS - Upsetter US-313 [A] (August 1969)

13. Jumping The Gun – RICO & THE RUDIES

14. A Place Called Happiness – RUDY MILLS

15. John Public – THE DYNAMITES

16. Push It In – THE VERSATILES

17. Reggae Shuffle – THE DREAMERS

18. Last Call (Aka Tribute To Drumbaka) – THE DYNAMITES

19. Dollar In My Teeth – THE UPSETTERS

20. Kiss A Finger – THE KINGSTONIANS

21. Love You True – JOY LANDIS

22. Dry Your Tears – THE MELLOTONES

23. The Hippys Are Here – THE HIPPY BOYS

24. Everything For Fun – THE BLEECHERS

The bonus tracks 13 to 24 are the B-sides of 1 to 12 listed above

Disc 2 (67:13 minutes):

Entitled “The Alternatives!” - Tracks 1 to 24 are all singles released on Trojan’s group of labels between January and August 1969…

1. Put Yourself In My Place – DELRO WILSON - High Note HS-011 [A] (January 1969)

2. Cus Cus – LLOYD ROBINSON - Duke 5 [A] (January 1969)

3. Braking Up – ALTON ELLIS with TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS - Trojan TR-642 [A] (February 1969)

4. Biafra – THE CRYSTALITES - Big Shot BI-510 [A] (February 1969)

5. A-Yuh (You Always Hurt Me) – THE UNIQUES - Trojan TR-645 [A] (February 1969)

6. Rocking Sensation – DELANO STEWART - High Note HS-014 [A] (February 1969)

7. Hang 'Em High – RICHARD ACE - Trojan TR-654 [A] (May 1969)

8. Son Of A Preacher Man – THE GAYLETS - Big Shot BI-516 [A] (March 1969)

9. Frying Pan – THE SLICKERS - Blue Cat BS-154 [A] (March 1969)

10. Mama Look Deh – THE REGGAE BOYS - Amalgamated AMG-835 [A] (March 1969)

11. Another Scorcher – JACKIE BERNARD & THE TENNORS - Big Shot BI-517 [A] (April 1969)

12. You’re My Everything – THE TECHNIQUES - Duke DU 22 [A] (May 1969)

13. Night Doctors – THE UPSETTERS - Upsetter US-307 [A] (May 1969)

14. Woman Capture Man – THE ETHOPIANS - Trojan TR-666 [A] (June 1969)

15. On The Move – COUNT MACHUKI & THE DESTROYERS - Amalgamated AMG-842 [A] (June 1969)

16. Everybody Bawlin’ – THE MELODIANS - Trojan TR-660 [A] (June 1969)

17. 2,000 Tons of TNT – THE GG RHYTHM SECTION - Big Shot BS-165 [A] (June 1969)

18. Ali Baba – JOHN HOLT - Trojan TR-661 [A] (June 1969) (mistakenly credited as Island WI-3158)

19. Seven Letters – DERRICK MORGAN - Jackpot JP-700 [A] (July 1969)

20. Dark End Of The Street – PAT KELLY - Jackpot JP-701 [A] (July 1969)

21. Doctor No Go – THE HIPPY BOYS - High Note HS-021 [A] (August 1969)

22. Get On The Right Track – PHYLLIS DILLON & HOPETON LEWIS - Trojan TR-671 [A] (August 1969)

23. Red Ash – KARL BRYAN with TOMMY McCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS - Trojan TR-673 [A] (August 1969)

24. Liquidator – HARRY J ALL STARS - Trojan TR-675 [A] (August 1969)

NICK BOURNE has coordinated the project for Trojan and Universal  - while the hugely detailed 28-page booklet has an essay by LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT on the album and the scene surrounding it. The crammed booklet pictures most of the 7" labels featured alongside rare snaps of the singers and bands. LCH penned the truly fantastic book "Young, Gifted & Black - The Story Of Trojan Records" (see separate review) - so his knowledge goes deep - it's literally track-by-track annotation. The 4-foldout-flaps reproduce adverts and press releases from 1969 - the CDs themselves reflect the original vinyl colouring and there's the now trademark DELUXE EDITION outer plastic wrap - all nice touches.

Again the set is mastered by TIM DEBNEY and the results are fabulous one moment, woeful the next. This is 60's Reggae and it was recorded in Auntie Flo's outside loo - so audiophile is not order of the day here. Although I would quickly add that to my ears - the improvement of sound quality is 'immense' all round - far better that the 2002 set that I've been living with these last few years. That alone is worth it for me...

But then there’s also the clever track choices made – I’ve loved hearing the B-sides again – in fact they’re often better than the A. The instrumental “Last Call” (aka “Tribute To Drumbago”) is typical – a fabulous trumpet led Ska shuffle that’s as infectious as a fit of the giggles. Disc 2 is simply a wad more of the same – I’ll be discovering tracks on this for years to come. Love it – love it – love it. Another triumph is this increasingly superb series…

"Skinhead Moonstomp: Deluxe Edition" by SYMARIP (2008 Universal/Trojan 2CD DELUXE EDITION Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Let's Start Getting Happy Now…Yeah Yeah Yeah…"

Sporting artwork you'd hide from your ailing Auntie Flo and her dodgy ticker, "Skinhead Moonstomp" has always been something of a misunderstood beast. Many people thought the reprobates depicted on the front alleyway cover were Symarip and maybe for that reason, the album never received the attention its deserved outside of the white British working class skinheads who embraced this hugely influential 1970 reggae album with near religious fervour. The group (pictured on the rear) is actually the Jamaican 7-piece THE PYRAMIDS under their nickname. They were also known as SEVEN LETTERS, THE BEES and for touring purposes - SYMARIP and THE SKINHEADS. Hopefully this fabulous and bravely chosen 2008 Deluxe Edition 2CD reissue will change all that...

There's a lot on here - so let's gets to the braces. UK released 29 September 2008 – “Skinhead Moonstomp: Deluxe Edition” by SYMARIP on Trojan 1776718 (Barcode 602517767188) is a 2CD DELUXE EDITION Reissue/Remaster and breaks down as follows:

DISC 1 (63:10 minutes):

1. Skinhead Moonstomp

2. Phoenix City

3. Skinhead Girl

4. Try My Best

5. Skinhead Jamboree

6. Chicken Merry

7. These Boots Are Made For Walking [Side 2]

8. Must Catch A Train

9. Skin Flint

10. Stay With Him

11. Fung Shu

12. You're Mine

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Skinhead Moonstomp" by SYMARIP issued April 1970 in the UK on Trojan Records TBL-102

Track 13 is "The Fit" [aka "Wish"], Doctor Bird DB-1208 [B]

Tracks 14 and 15 are "Please Stay" and "Special Beat", DB-1194 [A & B]

Tracks 16 and 17 are "Flour Dumpling" and "Equality", DB-1195 [A & B]

Tracks 18 and 19 are "Mama Me Want Girl" and "Sentry, DB-1206 [A & B]

Tracks 20 and 21 are "Soul Crash" and "Throw Me Things", DB-1207 [A & B]

Track 22 is "There Goes My Heart", DB-1208 [A]

Track 23 is "Bam Bam Baji", DB-1209 [A]

NOTES: Tracks 13 to 23 are BONUS 7" singles issued in 1969 on the Trojan affiliated "Doctor Bird" Label with the group credited as SEVEN LETTERS

DISC 2 (69:16 minutes):

1. Hold Him Joe (UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB-1209, B)

2. Tomorrow At Sundown (UK 7" single on Doctor Bird DB-1306, B-side to the album track "Fung Shu" - Track 11, Disc 1)

3. Parson's Corner [aka Vindication] 

4. Redeem (Tracks 3 and 4 are the A&B-sides of a UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7054)

5. La Bella Jig

6. Holiday By The Sea (Tracks 5 and 6 are the A&B-sides of a UK 7" single on Treasure Isle TI-7055)

7. I'm A Puppet (UK 7" single on Attack ATT-8013, A - Track 3 above as "Vindication" is its B-side)

8. Feel Alright

9. Telstar (Tracks 8 and 9 are the A&B-sides of a UK 7" single on Trojan TR-7755)

10. Geronimo (UK 7" single on Duke DU-80, A)

11. To Sir With Love

12. Reggae Shuffle (Tracks 11 and 12 are the A&B-sides of a UK 7" single on Trojan TR-7770)

13. All For You (UK 7" single on Trojan TR7803, A)

14. Stingo (UK 7" single on Trojan TR-7814, B)

15. Mosquito Bite

16. Mother's Bath (Tracks 15 and 16 are the A&B-sides of a UK 7" single on Creole CR-1003)

17. Can't Leave Now

18. Teardrops (Tracks 17 and 18 are the A&B-sides of a UK 7" single on Creole CR-1006)

19. Stop The Train

20. Black And White

21. Lasting Treasure

22. That's Nice

23. Funky Broadway

NOTES: 

Tracks 1 to 7 are SYMARIP - 8 to 18 credited as THE PYRAMIDS - 23 is credited to ROY ELLIS & RICO'S BAND 

Tracks 19 to 23 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

The 20-page detailed booklet has an essay on the band, the album's history and the scene surrounding it by LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT co-author of the superb book "Young, Gifted & Black - The Story Of Trojan Records" (see separate review).

Front and rear cover are reproduced on the front and back pages in colour, there's pictures of those lovely and rare UK 7" labels that get collectors weak at the knees, unique foreign picture sleeves, industry adverts, a complete singles and album discography from 1969 to 1971 - and even interviews with the band's principal songwriters MONTY NEYSMITH and ROY ELLIS. Both discs reflect the original Trojan label design and there's a collage of photos of the band reproduced beneath the two see-through trays - all of it very nicely done. (It's also not a BOX SET as Amazon says - it's a DELUXE EDITION 2CD set in the now familiar plastic wrap for the series with a four-way foldout digipak beneath.)

The tapes have been mastered by TIM DEBNEY at Fluid Mastering and the sound quality is similar to the "Tighten Up" DELUXE EDITION in August of 2008 - a mixed bag of the fantastic and the cruddy. This is not audiophile territory - it's reggae music - recorded on a shoestring and all the more gritty and wonderful for it. Having heard this LP on battered vinyl for years, I found most tracks a revelation.

Musically, this is party time. The chugging brass and Ska groove of "Phoenix City" is utterly irresistible and you can just `hear' the roots of THE SPECIALS in "Try My Best".

The extras are cleverly chosen too - not only are they very rare 7"s (many making their CD debut) - they're anthems of the time for that scene. Almost all of the singles have the same set up - a sung A-side with an instrumental on the B - both of which are killer. The cover version of the Joe Meek/Tornados 1962 classic "Telstar" on the back of "Feel Alright" is a typically cool example. At 46 tracks, I'll be dipping into this for years.
Summing up - coupled with the 2CD set of "Tighten Up Volume 1" from August of this year (see separate review), someone in Universal is making damn good choices! It's so good to see great Reggae and Ska get the DELUXE EDITION treatment it has always deserved. A highly recommended purchase and a voyage of musical discovery you'll not regret taking.

PS: the title of this review is the spoken intro to the classic floorfiller "Skinhead Moonstomp"

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is 1960s and 1970s VOLUME 2 - ROCK and POP, FOLK ROCK and PUNK, NEW WAVE and REGGAE - an E-Book with over 200 entries and 2000 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap).