Cherry Red Reggae Reissues November 2017
By Leggy Mountbatten
Hot Shots Of Reggae
Doctor Bird Compilation
Following from September`s No More Heartaches and What Am I To Do, Doctor Bird/Cherry Red
reissue the classic compilation Hot Shots Of Reggae.
Following the great Jamaican sound system operators, Leslie Kong became one of the emerging
talents of the island in the early sixties who`s parents owned Beverleys Ice Cream parlour on Orange
Street. As a sideline he sold records, which led him to eventually starting the Beveley record label in
1961 which ran till 1971.
The original album was titled Original Hot Shots of Reggae but reissued as Hot Shots Of Reggae by
Trojan in 1970. Now reissued in its original format with 13 extra Kong recordings from this unique
period of reggae and ska.
This album is full of great material, from artists such as Ken Booth with the opener Freedom Street,
and Why Baby Why from early in his career.
Ansel Collins High Voltage is genius the forerunner of The Maytal`s Monkey Man which is also
featured here along with She`s My Scorcher, plus the great instrumental with the All Stars, Cotton
Dandy.
Double Shot another great Boss tune by Beverly`S All Stars is pure quality as is the Slickers Hoola
Boola and emphasises the great skill and genius of Leslie Kongs work.
It’s a great album and follows Doctor Birds previous releases Dancing on Orange Street and What Am
I To Do in fine style, can`t recommend this album enough.
9/10
Leggy Mountbatten
Track List:
1. FREEDOM STREET – Ken Boothe
2. SWEET SENSATION – The Melodians
3. MONKEY MAN – The Maytals
4. WHY BABY WHY – Ken Boothe
5. COTTON DANDY – Ansel Collins & The Beverley’s All Stars
6. SO MUCH LOVE – Joe White
7. SHE’S MY SCORCHER – The Maytals
8. SIMMER DOWN QUASHIE – The Pioneers
9. THERE’S A FIRE – The Gaylads
10.SHOW ME THE WAY – Delroy Wilson
11.THIS TIME I WON’T HURT YOU – The Gaylads
12.I’M THE ONE – Bruce Ruffin
BONUS TRACKS
13.DRUMS OF FREEDOM – Ken Boothe
14.HIGH VOLTAGE – Ansel Collins
15.I’LL NEED YOU TOMORROW – The Kingstonians
16.(HEAVY LOAD) DON’T GET WEARY – Carl Dawkins
17.DOUBLE SHOT – Beverley’s All Stars
18.LICK IT BACK – The Clarendonians
19.JAGA JAGA WAR – The Wanderers
20.NIGHT OF LOVE – Ansel Collins
21.HOOLA BULLA – The Slickers
22.GIMME GIMME GAL (BANANA WATER) – The Mellotones
23.WIGGLE WAGGLE – The Wanderers
24.MOON DUST – Ansel Collins
25.DRY UP YOUR TEARS – Bruce Ruffin
