ALBUM REVIEW: Cherry Red Reggae Reissues – No More Heartaches/What Am I To Do & Marcia Griffiths: Naturally / Steppin

Cherry Red Reggae Reissues September 2017

By Leggy Mountbatten

No More Heartaches/What Am I To Do 2 CD Set Compilation

Marcia Griffiths Naturally and Steppin 2 CD Set

No More Heartaches and What Am I To Do various artists reissued by Doctor Bird/Cherry Red

Having the original Trojan and Harry J vinyl versions which would set you back now in the 3 figure mark, its great to have these released in CD form. In the late 60`s early 70`s reggae compilations were big sellers, the Trojan Tighten Up series, and Pama`s Straighten Up`s, plus a mix of others were lucrative and established some of the solo artists now associated with the great tunes of the period.

Trojan have been reissuing compilation box sets for some time now, but its nice to have the original albums here on CD thanks to Doctor Bird.

Highlights are the title track No More Heartaches by the Beltones a boss tune indeed, Soul Special a classic instrumental from King Canon, and Hang Em High.. by Richard Ace..

What Am I to Do is equally as good, the opener and title track with its sample of Liquidator Harry J all Stars is a belter , Early in the Morning by The Jamaicans is Ska/Gospel skank at its best.. ..

Also released this month are probably The Queen of Reggae Marcia Griffiths two finest albums Naturally and Steppin. Originally released on Sky Note in 1978/79. Griffiths is really a great vocalist and her work with The Wailers and other artists won her the Jamaican order of distinction for music in 1992. However these early albums are stunning, and include tracks like Dream Land, Mark My Word, Its Impossible and Sweet Bitter Love.

Both of these 2 CD issues are worth every penny, and im looking forward to more releases from Doctor Bird in the near future.

8/10

Tracks No More Heartaches/What Am I To Do

NO MORE HEARTACHES

1. NO MORE HEARTACHES – The Beltones
2. SOUL SPECIAL – King Cannon
3. LUCKY BOY – Glen & Dave
4. HOME WITHOUT YOU – The Beltones
5. SOUL SCORCHER – King Cannon
6. CUSS CUSS – Lloyd Robinson
7. HAPPY TIME – Keble Drummond
8. RICH IN LOVE (Version 1) – Glen Adams
9. PLEASE – Trevor Shield

10.HANG ‘EM HIGH – Richard Ace

11.CANDY LADY – Black & George

12.EASY SOUND – The Jay Boys WHAT AM I TO DO?

13.WHAT AM I TO DO – Tony Scott

14.SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE – Keble Drummond

15.RICH IN LOVE (Version 2) – Glen Adams

16.EARLY IN THE MORNING – The Jamaicans

17.COOL DOWN – Winston Hines

18.WHA PEN – King Cannon

19.HOLD THE PUSSY – Kid Gungo

20.DARLING IF YOU LOVE ME – Tony Scott

21.SATURDAY NIGHT – Tony Scott

22.ZUMBELLY – The Woodpeckers

23.BRING BACK THAT SMILE – Tony Scott

24.MR. LONELY – The Jamaicans

Tracks Marcia Griffiths, Naturally/Steppin Out

NATURALLY

1. DREAMLAND
2. TELL ME NOW
3. TRULY
4. MARK MY WORD
5. STAY
6. FEEL LIKE JUMPING
7. LONESOME FEELING
8. SURVIVAL
9. MELODY LIFE

10.I’VE GOT TO GO BACK HOME

STEPPIN’

11.WHERE WERE YOU

12.STEPPIN’ OUT OF BABYLON

13.IT’S IMPOSSIBLE

14.SWEET BITTER LOVE

15.GIVE AND YOU GET

16.THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT YOU

17.PEACEFUL WOMAN

18.WHY THERE IS NO LOVE

19.I’M HURTING INSIDE

20.WHERE IS THE LOVE