Action! and Intensified

Desmond Dekker brought Jamaican music into the international pop charts – first with ‘007 (Shanty Town)’ in 1967 then in 1969 with ‘Israelites’ (the first time ever a Jamaican record topped the UK charts, and a huge hit worldwide). Dekker (1941-2006) was a remarkable talent, an instinctive singer and songwriter who, during his partnership with Chinese Jamaican producer Leslie Kong from 1961 to 1971, made music that surfed Jamaican music's golden decade, moving from ska to rocksteady to a proto-reggae sound. Ironically, Dekker's biggest hits were songs full of patois references to the poverty and hard times most Jamaicans experienced, yet they were set to such catchy rhythms they became huge hits.

This double CD gathers both Dekker's debut and follow-up albums – recorded in Kingston with Kong at the controls – and adds another 28 songs from the sessions. A beautifully illustrated and informative booklet gives a strong overview of Dekker's rise, the creative partnership he shared with Kong, and Australian sound engineer Graeme Goodall's contributions to shaping his UK hits. The music here is that of an ex-colony growing in confidence and finding its voice, helping Jamaica establish what would go on to be a singular identity. This is essential listening.