Punky Reggae Party: New Wave Jamaica 1975-1980 CD

Trojan's rejuvenated reissue campaign of 2001-2002 continued apace with Punky Reggae Party: New Wave Jamaica 1975-1980, a refreshing two-disc set of (relatively) rarely compiled tracks from a neglected era in Jamaican music. It's certainly not a rare groove party, including as it does big hits from Dennis Brown ("Man Next Door," "Money in My Pocket"), Gregory Isaacs ("Mr. Cop," "Hand Cuff [Hey Mr. Babylon]"), Bob Marley ("Natural Mystic"), and Black Uhuru ("Born Free"). Setting these off, however, are a parade of less-heard tracks by Lee Perry, Prince Far I, Sugar Minott, and Prince Jammy, among others -- many of them inspirations for the punk and British ska bands forming around the same time. Another great touch: just before the teen duo Althea and Donna's hit "Uptown Top Ranking," the compilers placed a great track using the same riddim: "Three Piece Suite and Thing" by Trinity. Productions by Perry, Joe Gibbs, Linval Thompson make up the majority of these tracks, lending the four dozen inclusions a unity of sound rarely heard on reggae compilations. ~ John Bush

Subtitled - New Wave Jamaica 1975 - 1980. Third in Trojan's series of deluxe genre-defining compilations highlighting the development of Jamaican music. Features 38 original reggae roots cuts from the late 70s, when reggae influenced the punk generation. Many recordings previously unavailable on CD. Highlights include, 'White Belly Rat' Lee 'Scratch' Perry, 'Man Next Door' Dennis Brown, 'Mr. Cop' Gregory Isaacs & 'Natural Mystic' Bob Marley & The Wailers. 2002.

Includes liner notes by Jean-Jaques Burnel.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.