1 comments about Trojan Box Set: DJ.

1. This is definitely a great collection of DJ tunes. Amazing stuff from incredibly talented DJs in their hey day, shaping new styles, toasting, rapping, laying vocals over killer records. Check out Dr Phibbs by I-Roy (saxophone + flute in background!) and Dennis Alcapone doing "Spanish Amigo" (over the soulful "Old Fashioned Way" by Ken Boothe). These people were innovative to say the least. There's even a song by LLoyd Young (or Jah LLoyd) who would later go on to record the amazing "Colombia Colly"... All the Lee Perry TROJAN stuff I have is killer and now I will have to check out the other TROJAN compilations, (such as DUB, RASTAFARI, John Holt, etc.) - it seems they are all extremely good. Enjoy this. - AG

No comments about Reggae Fever: Hot Hot Reggae.

No comments about Natty Rebel.

1 comments about Revolutionary Sounds: The Essential Collection of Classic Roots Reggae, 1973-1981.

1. This colection shows the best of reggae in that period, a lot of famous songs and bands are here. If you like reggae, you must have it in your collection. 4 cds, with 14 songs each, including Melodians, Jacob Miller, Culture, Joe Higgs, Rita Mrley, Lee Perry, The Scientists and a lot of bands that you will know if you really like reggae. This boxed set ignores reggae's big three (Marley, Tosh and Cliff) in favor of presenting some of the best classic sounds of the period....makes for a well-balanced collection. A good choice!

3 comments about Trojan Box Set: Rastafari.

1. Beautifully done, nuff respec' to the masses. Glad to see Rastafari fire still burning in the music realm. Powerful vibes ringing in every note. Give thanks and paraise to Jah Rastafari for blessings that I and I have received from such musical upliftment.

   Recommended to the youths - continue to seek Jah, he will never hide his face from the I.

   Blessed Love to the World - Selah.




2. Will someone please tell Trojan Records to hold-up on issuing their Trojan box sets, cause I'm suffering from excessive body gyrations, head-bobbin', noddin', and possibly some sort unearthly physical possession that r&b and jazz can't touch! Thank heaven for CDs, cause the life-span of a vinyl copy of these sets would be fruitless! By the way, this is 1 of 7 sets that I own, and each is priceless!!!



3. Begging pardon of the more knowledgable listeners reading this, I must admit I am a bit of a reggae neophyte, and know not at all what tracks on this compilation would be considered obvious choices, which obscure gems, and which would seem puzzling to a more knowing and fussy fan. I can only say that I am very, very impressed. I don't know who a lot of these artists are -- the Maytones? Peter and Paul? -- don't ask me -- but I CAN testify that this is very potent roots reggae with some very strong rhythms, interesting lyrics, and great instrumentation. I'm not sure why I find listening to promises that Babylon will fall so SATISFYING -- not much of a fan of the Old Testament in any OTHER context -- but gosh, I love this stuff. The discs are arranged topically, for the record: the first disc focuses on Rastafarian social criticism, the second on Jah's love, and the third on Armaggedon (Clash fans take note -- if there's a connection between the "Armagideon Time" on this set and the Clash version, I can't hear it). I personally just spin the first and third, over and over. I found some of the Trojan Dub and Trojan Ska stuff not quite as well-produced as I'd've liked, perhaps because they were vintage recordings done in tiny studios and so forth; I have no such problems here, think it sounds great. Dub fans will get off, too -- there are some pretty heavy rhythms on these discs, even though none are dub per se... The Trojan box sets are a godsend for anyone wanting to acquaint themselves with Jamaican music and culture; I'm very glad I bought this one.

No comments about Trojan Box Set: Producers Series.

No comments about Three Lions.

No comments about The Roots of Reggae.

No comments about Reggae Fever.

1 comments about Trojan Box Set: Jamaican Superstars.

1. Trojan Records has done a great service to all collectors with the release of (I think) 16 low-priced box sets representing different facets of Jamaican music. The Jamaican Superstars set is (like the Producers set) dedicated to 6 artists. Each of the three CDs in the set are split between two singers. I personally got my introduction to most of these "superstars" through "Tougher Than Tough" - the story of Jamaican music boxed set, but it wasn't until I bought this collection that I began to truly appreciate their talents. Gregory Isaacs (who I had originally written off as being "strictly for the ladies") shines on his tracks. Dennis Brown and Alton Ellis, likewise, are stellar. The true star of this set however, is PAT KELLY. Now, for those of you who haven't heard of him, Pat Kelly is the Jamaican Sam Cooke. I would go so far as to say that he is the greatest voice (save, maybe "Scratch") in Jamaican music. For anybody screaming at their monitors right now about Bob Marley, you need to check your history and see that Bob copped his entire vocal style from the afore-mentioned "Scratch" Perry; his pre-Perry vocals are vastly different from his work after recording with the Upsetter. Please note that I am NOT knocking Bob Marley, just putting him in his place. But, I digress. The Jamaican Superstars set is a wonderful addition to any collection. See also, the Lovers Box Set; both volumes of the Dub Box Set; the Rocksteady Box (the best of all); and the very mighty DJ Box Set. I wish I could have given this set 3 and 1/2, but the ratings would not allow.