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
- NO MORE HEARTACHES – The Beltones
- SOUL SPECIAL – King Cannon
- LUCKY BOY – Glen & Dave
- HOME WITHOUT YOU – The Beltones
- SOUL SCORCHER – King Cannon
- CUSS CUSS – Lloyd Robinson
- HAPPY TIME – Keble Drummond
- RICH IN LOVE (Version 1) – Glen Adams
- 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
- DREAMLAND
- TELL ME NOW
- TRULY
- MARK MY WORD
- STAY
- FEEL LIKE JUMPING
- LONESOME FEELING
- SURVIVAL
- 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
