VA- Sound System Rockers Kingston Town 1969-1975

Label: Kingston

Reissued 2019, Originally released 2003

The sound system has become part of today's musical/cultural heritage, playing the people's favorite hits or just as important, breaking some new tunes. But perhaps less known are the roots of the sound system, which began way back when... in Kingston... Around the late 1940s, the sound system began to overtake the big bands that usually played at the dances in Kingston. The American rhythm and blues records that were so popular at the time would find their way to Jamaica via the merchant sailors and migrant workers returning from their stints in America. For economic reasons alone it would pay to have a DJ on hand to play these hits rather than a ten-piece band that could eat and drink the promotor out of the house and on curried goat! The early sound systems were basic affairs built around a single record deck, a valve amp and a speaker. But by the 1950s they had grown to purpose-built speakers the size of wardrobes that could be heard blocks away. Record producer Bunny "Striker" Lee would remember the time "sound systems was like our radio station... not many people on the island would own a wireless, so it was the way for the people to hear their music." This selection of lovers, ballads, root's classics made the sound systems of Jamaica the place to be. So sit back and enjoy the ride... Sound System Rockers... one and all. Features Ken Booth, Horace Andy, Leroy Smart, Dennis Brown, Cornell Campbell, John Holt, Delroy Wilson, Gregory Isaacs, Johnny Clarke, Freddie McGregor, Linval Thompson, Barry Brown, and Pat Kelly.

Track listing:

1. Ken Booth–    Satta Massa Gana
2. Horace Andy–    Guiding Star
3. Leroy Smart–    Shame & Pride
4. Dennis Brown–    Stick By Me  
5. Cornell Campbell–    Can't Get Me Out
6. John Holt–    Riding For A Fall  
7. Delroy Wilson–    Once Upon A Time
8. Gregory Isaacs–    The Village  
9. Johnny Clarke–    Ride On Girl
10. Freddie McGregor–    Mighty King
11. Linval Thompson–    Whip Them King
12. Barry Brown–    Lead Us Jah Jah
13. Slim Smith–    Everybody Needs Love
14. Alton Ellis–    Play It Cool
    
15. Count Prince Miller–    Mule Train
    
16. Owen Gray–    Natty Bongo