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I’ve always found compilation CD’s
rather unnerving. To me, a well-crafted album brings songs together
that show an artist or band and their many facets. Listening
to the album a few times gives the listener a view of the entire
gemstone in three dimensions. A compilation takes a number of
stones, and crushes them to pull out just one facet from each,
then the facets are joined using wire, glue and some elbow grease,
to form another stone. The resulting Frankenstein’s monster
of music is often less satisfying than each of the original albums
probably was. The listener is left at the mercy of the compiler
to choose the “right” songs from each album to make
as seamless a new creation as possible. As a result, often, all
of the songs sound the same, making the end product monochromatic
at best.
I suppose this will work in the case of
Studio One, because I gather they produce CD’s for the dance
community, which needs songs that will blend easily one into
another. All of the songs on “Dancehall Collection,”
are produced by C. Dodd. He’s (She’s?) also credited
for each song, perhaps providing melody, but the jacket doesn't
get that specific. All of the songs have abrupt fade outs, giving
the impression that the song wasn’t really finished. Of
the Eleven artists, three have two songs on the CD; “Alpheus,”
Glenn Washington, and Sugar Minott. Relying on the compiler’s
knowledge, they are the most worthy to be heard, so I'll cover
them first.
“Alpheus” contributes "I
Wish You Were Mine” and “Why You Got To Leave Me.”
Their first song is heavy on sixties pop style organ. It’s
a song of unrequited love with rather shallow lyrics. “Why
You Got To Leave Me” sounds like 50’s Do-Wop to a Reggae
beat, an interesting combination that works pretty well. The
song is uncomfortable, about a relationship that ends when the
girl leaves without any explanation.
Glenn Washington provides a bit more emotion
to his vocal than, “Alpheus.” His first song, “Wages
of Sin,” is religious. “The wages of sin is death/
But the gift of Jah is eternal life/ We won’t have to live
and fret/ When we living a life that is right in Jah sight.”
It goes a bit deeper than the “Alpheus” songs. A brass
section rounds out the sound on “It was You,” a worshipful
love song that leads me to believe it’s really about the
love of Jah.
“Saving My Love,” by Sugar Minott,
is a simple Reggae love tune with no surprises, but manages to
keep interest until its end with strong lead and backing vocals.
“No One” explores taking responsibility for one’s
actions. “Don’t let no one lead you astray/ Follow
your heart today, oh yeah/ You can hear what they say/ But the
things you do must be right for you.” Seeing two facets
of Minott is helpful, because it shows that he has different
depths; love songs and introspective songs.
Recording quality is lacking on Dennis
Brown’s “Forget Me Not.” The muffled quality of
it recalls 60’s recordings from K-Tel advertisements. “General
Smiley’s” contribution, “Mama Prayed,” is
listed as a Rap, but it’s a Rap to a Reggae rhythm. It’s
actually quite good. There are no lyrics supplied, and most of
them are unintelligible, but the rhythm grabs and holds you from
beginning to end. On Dana V’s, “Brotherly Love,”
the horn section is almost unnoticeable, but it’s there.
The reggae beat becomes a backdrop to the vocals, which carry
a message of peace. It points out that all of nature lives in
harmony, but man continues to hate, rape, rob and kill.
J. D. Smoothes song, Write a Letter, is
an old song put to a Reggae beat. Its about missing an old lover.
Tippa Lee provides the second Rap song on the album, Rasta Kitchen.
The rich deep vocal overlays a bass line that recalls surf music.
Horns invade at random spots in the rhythm. There are no liner
notes, but not understanding the lyric doesnt matter. The song
is so much different from the others in its mood and intent,
that it carries the listener along its able path.
Sugar Massive adds good harmonies to the
Reggae mix on Never Felt This Way. The duel vocal makes for a
fresher sound once you've been lulled by the previous sleep inducing
tracks. This is an awesome Reggae song! Its a nice surprise.
Lyrics are uplifting, speaking of prophecy, reaching for the
stars and living according to Jahs wishes. Bye Bye Rebel, by
K Vibes, reminds me a lot of early sixties pop, probably because
of the female lead vocal and the style of the backing vocals.
It makes you realize how long Reggae has influenced rock music.
A quirky take on Reggae, Al Campbells Turn Me Loose, closes out
the album. His high melodic vocal overlays a rhythm which almost
steps away from Reggae.
As I expected, Studio Ones, collection
is mostly monochromatic in nature. The few standouts on the album,
Never Felt This Way, Mama Prayed, No One and Turn Me Loose, arent
strong enough to carry the whole album. The best bet here is
to pull the best songs for your own compilation tape. |
