Coxsone's Music

Record producer Coxsone Dodd found fame through his legendary Studio One, which gave a big break to such names as The Wailers, Lee Perry and Toots & the Maytals. But before Studio One, Dodd was fuelling the dancehalls of Jamaica's explosive ska scene. In the late 50s he was personally sourcing American records on trips across the US. It was due to a decline in US-produced 78 rpms that Dodd turned to Jamaica's home talent, finding untapped potential in the island's tourist hotel bands. Soul Jazz's compilation gives extensive coverage to Dodd's 1960-62 pre-Studio One period. His studios provided a place to let loose for founding Skatalite members Don Drummond and Roland Alphonso, while budding star Owen Gray immortalised memories of ‘dancing to Sir Coxsone's downbeat system’ on his ‘On the Beach’ hit. The excellent ‘Calypso Jazz’ is an instrumental version of the mento folk tune ‘Jamaica Farewell’, and reveals a rich musical history before rock’n’roll changed everything. It's all essential listening for ska fans, and there are enough big personalities asserting themselves here to prevent the genre's distinctive off-beat ever sounding repetitive.