Trojan, Over the Hill

The Birth of Trojan (2002)
Dedicate My Song to You - the Jamaicans
Starry Night - Tommy McCook & The Supersonics

Rocksteady Rarities (2005)
The Good You Can - Charlie Organaire & the Carib Beats
Coming On the Scene - Johnny & the Attractions

2007 marks the 40th anniversary of one of reggae's most important labels, Trojan Records, but it was 5 years ago when Trojan released this compilation. The Birth of Trojan collects the first 11 singles (with their b-sides) recorded at Duke Reid's Treasure Isle in 1967. The first selection is "Dedicate My Song to You" by the Jamaicans, a short-lived group that is mostly known for their rocksteady classic, "Ba Ba Boom." "Dedicate" was actually written by Curtis Mayfield and recorded by the Impressions a couple years prior- Mayfield's falsetto, sparse guitar work, and socially conscious lyrics would eventually became a huge influence on Jamaican artists. Also posted from the comp is Tommy McCook's "Starry Night", a beautiful version of a tune I think was originally performed by Glen Miller & His Orchestra called “The Story of a Starry Night” that further shows the American influence on Jamaican music of the time.


While I'm on the subject, Trojan's Rocksteady Rarities Box Set is also an essential purchase. Usually "rarities" collections can contain a bunch of tracks that were left off of albums for good reason, but in the case of the singles-driven rocksteady market, almost all 50 of the tracks on the 3 CDs are good if not amazing. Most have never been re-issued and will appeal to the rocksteady beginner and expert. Check out "The Good You Can" by Charlie Organaire & the Carib Beats, and “Coming On the Scene" by Johnny & the Attractions- both very obscure artists, but both are absolute killers from '67.