Studio One Rocksteady 2

Soul Jazz’s second excursion into the vaults of Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One productions searches for the blissful sounds of the 60s-70s that set Jamaican music on the path to worldwide recognition. Those days, the music was imitative, hence the number of US soul covers here, but it was certainly not in awe of the originals.

What’s so special about these rocksteady compilations is how much these artists make the tracks their own. Co-opting Motown’s slogan, you might say this is ‘The Sound of Young Jamaica’, as these productions are brimful of sophistication and catchy soul, shot through with the emotional vibrancy of youth. This is best exemplified by Hortense Ellis’ ebullient opener, ‘Sitting in the Park’, a life-affirming dose of vitamin D that sets off a pattern of upbeat reggae soul that continues throughout most of the tracks. Variations come in the shape of John Holt’s menacing ode to a Saturday night, ‘Strange Things’, and Cannon & The Soul Vendors’ instrumental ‘Bad Treatment’, a perfect balance of simple horn motifs and erupting bass lines, keeping things from getting repetitive.