The Best of Studio One

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: January 24, 2006
• Type: Collection (various artists)
• Genre: Reggae

Review

The partnership between the American Heartbeat label and legendary producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd has resulted in some of the finest reggae reissues of the past 20 years, as Dodd has provided vintage master tapes that Chris Wilson and his staff at Heartbeat have remastered, annotated, and compiled with loving care. Best of Studio One, originally issued in the mid-'80s, was one of the earliest and best of a long string of such collections, and is reissued here with improved sound and six additional tracks to sweeten the deal. And sweeten it they do -- in addition to such familiar classics as Michigan & Smiley's timeless "Rub a Dub Style," the Heptones' "Party Time," and the Abyssinians' roots-and-culture anthem "Declaration of Rights," the reissue adds "A Love I Can Feel" (arguably John Holt's finest moment), a fine DJ turn by Lone Ranger titled "The Answer," a newly extended "showcase" mix of the Wailing Souls' "Row Fisherman Row," and several other fine tracks. In fact, just about every song collected here is a certifiable classic: Marcia Griffiths is at the top of her form on "Melody Life," the unjustly forgotten Larry Marshall is in similarly fine voice on "Throw Me Corn," the Gladiators testify beautifully on "Roots Natty" -- the hits just keep on coming. Be on the lookout for more Studio One collections and reissues in this series. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
A Love I Can Feel	John Holt, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd	John Holt	(2:35)
Music Like Dirt	C.S. Dodd	The Lyrics	(2:22)
Baby Why	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd	The Cables	(2:48)
Can I Change My Mind	Carl Wolfolk, Barry Despenza	Alton Ellis	(2:58)
Just Another Girl	Ken Boothe, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd	Ken Boothe	(3:18)
The Answer	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, Anthony Waldron	Lone Ranger	(3:06)
Oh Mr. D.C.	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd	Sugar Minott	(6:06)
Jah Promise	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd	Johnny Osbourne	(3:50)
Declaration of Rights	B. Collins	The Abyssinians	(3:20)
Roots Natty	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, Albert Griffiths	The Gladiators	(2:58)
Rub a Dub Style	Errol Bennett, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, Anthony Fairclough		(3:08)
Party Time	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, Leroy Sibblies	The Heptones	(2:40)
Throw Me Corn	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd	Larry Marshall	(2:23)
Melody Life	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd	Marcia Griffiths	(2:49)
Born to Love	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd	Slim Smith	(2:44)
My Last Love	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, Wentworth Vernal	The Termites	(3:26)
Rastifari Tell You	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, Ronald Merrils		(3:22)
Row Fisherman Row [Extended Mix]	Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, Winston "Pipe" Matthews, Lloyd McDonald	Wailing Souls	(5:21)

Credits

C.S. Dodd (Producer), Dr. Toby Mountain (Mastering), Chris "Poet" Wilson (Compilation), Chris "Poet" Wilson (Editing), Chris "Poet" Wilson (Liner Notes), Steven Jurgensmeyer (Design), Bill Nowlin (Cover Photo)