Roots Archives Forum

How is this box set?

I have been putting together a tight Reggae Collection (to go with my original vinyl which I bought back in the 70"S) and have concentrated on assembling a complete set of B&F's and Pressure Sounds along with key albums listed in the Rough Guide (chapters 4 & 5 Roots and Dub). Is this an essential set? Is it great listening or too much early stuff (which I do not like as much)?

Thanks
Gregg

It's a good set for a beginner, but for anyone with a semi-decent collection there will be nearly 100% overlap. It has a very good running order and walks you through the evolution of Jamaican music very well (it's fairly evenly divided amongst the eras from ska to digital dancehall).

like reggaefire says nothing exceptional about that set; pretty much anyone into reggae for a few years will have the vast majority of those tracks already. i bought i and dont think ive ever replayed it after my initial listen...

one love
jah bill

I agree with the others' opinions. If you are trying to learn more about reggae, then its a great compilation. Without this compilation, I am not sure that I would be addicted to reggae like I am right now. It really helped me expand my reggae interests, and this expansion has continued to this day.

Well, I agree with reggaefire too, still differ a bit.I think it's really an esential choice for seasoned reggae fans and starters alike. Great packaging, well written liner notes, wise selection... It's almost perfect boxset. Since it's focused on well known songs chances you would know good portion of them. So it was probably more important back in 1993, when it came out than now. Still it gives a really good indication of what genres of jamaican music are about. Unless you've got well built collection of jamaican music from 1958 to 1993, go and try to find a copy. It's always nice to have such thing under your roof:)

One thing the compilation completely lacks is dub - not one to be found(!) Setting aside that omission though, it's an excellent set for someone just getting into the music.

Thanks for all of the opinions. It sounds like I need to purchase additional LP's to go with my B&F and Pressure Sounds collections before I pick this one up.

No Dub????? I am curious to hear their explanation of that one. Does not qualify as Jamaican music???

Gregg

It's like a reggae 101, but I'm pretty sure it's out of print. It's on Amazon for like $100 bucks...used.

DB

It is not all standard tracks on this box. E.g. Interesting is Junior Murvin's "Police & Thieves" which is a very interting alternate black ark mix (like this one better). Check it out.

Interesting for collectors as well.

i could be wrong about this but i thought that mix of police and theives was from arkology so it was just another island records release, i believe from the 12" single island released (but again im just operating of ever more faulty memory here).

one love
jah bill