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Various
Artists The late 60s was a prolific time for reggae music in general, and the Rock Steady movement in particular. A suitable early summer release for the hot summer nights that are just around the corner. As Hans Peters describes in the liner notes as "almost unbearably hot summers of the mid 60s" the usual club crowd was less interested in the faster tempos of the popular Ska dance songs and longed for something with a beat they could dance to, but was "slower and cooler." Defining the Rock Steady sound is a slower, steady, melodic bassline beat combined with drums, but otherwise sparse instrumentation, leaving plenty of space for a variety of vocal stylings, from traditional reggae sounds to less Caribbean sounding soul vocalists. If any one name is synonymous with the Rock Steady explosion, it's Bunny Lee. This is an intoxicating collection of hit after hit produced by Lee from 1967-1968. After 25 tracks and more than 71 minutes, the tracks start to sound the same, but this is one case when less is not more. The more the better. Best to take it in bits, like lessons in a history book. Largely unknown masterpieces abound, but particular highlights include The Uniques' My Conversation, with stellar soul vocals from Keith "Slim" Smith and Smith's solos, Let Me Go Girl and Build My World Around You with the catchiest beat and drums in the pack. Unfortunately, the world was robbed of a promising young artist when Smith committed suicide in 1973 at the age of 25. Other noteworthy moments include Pat Kelly's charming falsetto on The Dark End Of The Street, The Sensations' doo-wop-y Lonely Lover and Born To Love You and the rare Cynthia Richards recording, Forever. With extensive liner notes on the rise of Rock Steady and a middle ground sound for both Reggae and Soul lovers to cherish, this compilation represents an important time in music history. |
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