All entries for Sunday 13 August 2006

Trojan Boxsets

This summer, I've been mostly listening to…
Trojan Boxsets.

Trojan is a Jamaican record label most active in t' 60s–70s. Art work on these boxes is simple and baddass.
The general set up for this series of limited edition boxsets, issue from 2000, is 50 songs over 3CDs. Most sets are for a certain style of Jamaican music. So there's: Rocksteady, Roots, Jamaican R&B, Dancehall, two volumes of Ska, two volumes of Dub, Skinhead, Suedehead, Ska revival, Mod Reggae, Lover's Rock, Calypso, some Chilled Reggae, Carnival, and then one dedicated to songs about Rudies, the Rude Boy Box Set, there's one just for the Upsetters, a "Tighten Up" box, one for 12 inch singles, several rarieties collections, hits collections, DJ box, producers series, Rastafari box, and on. Maybe some more I can't remember. Most greats are here. Toots & the Maytals, Lee "Scratch" Perry, The Untouchables, I–Roy, Derrick Harriot, Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley/Wailers, more. Distinct absence of Prince Buster. Well disappointing. Think it was cos he had a big argument with Derrick Morgan, who unsurprisingly appears often on the ska comps.

Naturally I have all of them. To save you some time, I have decided to tell you the great ones and the shite ones. I'm nice like that.

The Rocksteady box is an absolute must. It's the best one. You can really see the influence of American R&B.
After that come Skinhead, Ska, and Rude Boy.
Do not bother with: Ska revival, Calypso. The Reggae Chill–Out box is rarther patchy, but there are some gems hidden, so worth downloading, not buying.

One bad thing is there is some overlapping. Then again, what kind of dickhead would leave "007 (Shanty Town)" off a ska comp, or, God forbid, a Rude Boy comp.

Put it on and enjoy. Also, check out Damian Marley – Welcome to Jamrock. Summer may be over, but you don't have to act like it is.

You have your instructions.

I just found a piece of glass on my face. That can't be good.
bye.

Vincent Carroll-Battaglino : 13 Aug 2006 04:04 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem