Various Artists - Studio One: Down Beat Special CD/2LP

Soul Jazz Records’ "Down Beat Special" is a roller-coaster Greatest Hits ride through many of the all-time classic tunes hand-picked from across the mighty vaults of, without doubt, Jamaica’s finest ever record label and pioneering powerhouse of reggae music.

Seminal tracks such as Michigan and Smiley’s Nice Up The Dance, Dawn Penn’s No, No, No, The Wailers’ Simmer Down, The Eternals’ Queen of the Minstrels... and on it goes. Non-stop big tunes - "Down Beat Special" is an essential primer to Studio One Records.

Originally released as a one-off pressing limited edition (long-since deleted) 7” box set, this new edition is fully remastered and expanded to a massive 18 rare and killer cuts from the Studio One empire. Featuring The Skatalites, Jackie Mittoo, Bob Marley and The Wailers, Horace Andy, Alton Ellis, Lone Ranger and many more, the album features rare and classic tracks throughout.

Newly commissioned sleevenotes by Noel Hawks (History of the Jamaican Recording Industry) featuring a track by track historical and musical analysis, label scans and more added to this fantastic collection.

Tracklist:

1. Queen of the Minstrels [The Eternals]
2. Nice Up the Dance [Michigan and Smiley]
3. Ten to One [The Mad Lads]
4. Totally Together [Jackie Mittoo]
5. Just Say Who [Horace Andy]
6. Addis Ababa [The Skatalites]
7. Live Loving [Sugar Minott]
8. Can't Stand It [Lone Ranger]
9. I've Got a Burning Fire [Wailing Souls]
10. Simmer Down [Bob Marley and The Wailers]
11. Hooligan [Dub Specialist]
12. Your Heart Is Gonna Pay [Alton Ellis]
13. Do It Good [Roland Alphonso]
14. You Should Have Known [Wailing Souls]
15. No No No [Dawn Penn]
16. You'll Be Sorry [Freddie McKay]
17. We Need Love [Alton Ellis]
18. Best to be Free [Cornel Campbell]

About this product: this reissue is available on CD and 2LP formats.

The 2LP is pressed on black vinyl.