Editorial Reviews

The partnership between the American Heartbeat label and legendary producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd has resulted in some of the finest reggae reissues of the past 20 years, as Dodd has provided vintage master tapes that Chris Wilson and his staff at Heartbeat have remastered, annotated, and compiled with loving care. Best of Studio One, originally issued in the mid-'80s, was one of the earliest and best of a long string of such collections, and is reissued here with improved sound and six additional tracks to sweeten the deal. And sweeten it they do -- in addition to such familiar classics as Michigan & Smiley's timeless "Rub a Dub Style," the Heptones' "Party Time," and the Abyssinians' roots-and-culture anthem "Declaration of Rights," the reissue adds "A Love I Can Feel" (arguably John Holt's finest moment), a fine DJ turn by Lone Ranger titled "The Answer," a newly extended "showcase" mix of the Wailing Souls' "Row Fisherman Row," and several other fine tracks. In fact, just about every song collected here is a certifiable classic: Marcia Griffiths is at the top of her form on "Melody Life," the unjustly forgotten Larry Marshall is in similarly fine voice on "Throw Me Corn," the Gladiators testify beautifully on "Roots Natty" -- the hits just keep on coming. Be on the lookout for more Studio One collections and reissues in this series. Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

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