Various: The Story Of Jamaican Music (Tougher Than Tough) 1993

 

A superlative introduction to the world of Jamaican music, Tougher Than Tough is a treasure trove of information, filled with unforgettable music. 

Across four discs and 95 songs, this set spans the entire history of the island's vibrant music scene, hitting all the major stylistic bases along the way, and rounding up many of Jamaica's greatest artists. 

It's evident that a great amount of thoughtful time and effort went into this package and, although collectors will howl at the many omissions and some of the selections, this set wasn't intended for them, but for a general audience interested in beginning to explore the music more deeply. 

With that in mind, the package includes a lushly illustrated 65-page booklet written by Steve Barrow (author of The Rough Guide to Reggae), who provides an exceptionally lucid historical overview. The rest of the booklet offers information on every track, including producer, composer, and release date. 

The music itself is sequenced chronologically, allowing the listener to chart the myriad of stylistic changes over the years. Disc one begins in 1958 with the Folkes Brothers' "Oh Carolina," arguably the first ever proto-ska release, cut during producer Prince Buster's first ever recording session. 

JIMMY CLIFF

It continues through the rise of pure ska and through the shift to rocksteady. Disc two concentrates on the reggae years and the rise of the DJs, while the third is given over entirely to roots. The final disc brings things bang up to date, following the trajectory of the dancehalls. 

The set comes full circle with the final track, Shaggy's smash hit cover of "Oh Carolina." From rude reggae to ragga, dulcet vocal groups to dueling DJs, The Story of Jamaican Music is indeed just that. 

Of course, there's a wealth of equally masterful music that didn't make the cut, and the booklet discusses a multitude of songs not included. But this is history 101; hopefully, students will continue their studies on their own. 
(Review by Jo-Ann Greene)
                            

Various – The Story Of Jamaican Music (Tougher Than Tough)
Label: Mango – IBXCD 1, Mango – 518 399-2
Format: 4 x CD, Compilation, PMDC Germany, Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered
Country: Europe
Released: 1993
Genre: Reggae
Style: Reggae, Dub, Rocksteady, Roots Reggae, Ska, Dancehall

CD1.     FORWARD MARCH (1958 - 1967)

                        

01. Folkes Brothers – Oh Carolina   2:40
Producer – Prince Buster
Written-By – John Folkes
02. Laurel Aitken – Boogie In My Bones   2:47
Producer – Chris Blackwell
Written-By – L. Aitken
03. Owen Gray – Midnight Track   2:27
Producer – Chris Blackwell
Written-By – Owen Gray
04. Theophilus Beckford – Easy Snappin'   2:50
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – T. Beckford    
05. Derrick And Patsy – Housewives Choice   2:40
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – D. Morgan    
06. Derrick Morgan – Forward March   2:50
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – D. Morgan    
07. Jimmy Cliff – Miss Jamaica   2:25
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – J. Cliff
08. Millie Small – My Boy Lollipop   2:01
Directed By [Accompaniment] – Ernest Ranglin
Producer – Chris Blackwell
Written-By – J. Roberts, R. Spencer    
09. The Maytals – Six And Seven Books Of Moses   2:25
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – Frederick Hibbert    
10. The Wailers – Simmer Down   2:48
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – B. Marley
11. Don Drummond – Man In The Street   3:24
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – Don Drummond
12. Justin Hinds & The Dominoes – Carry Go Bring Come   2:51
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Justin Hinds
13. The Skatalites – Guns Of Navarone   2:28
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – D. Tiomkin, Webster
14. Prince Buster – Al Capone   2:57
Producer – Prince Buster
Written-By – C. Campbell
15. Prince Buster – Hard Man Fe Dead   3:21
Producer – Prince Buster
Written-By – C. Campbell
16. Derrick Morgan – Tougher Than Tough   2:26
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – Derrick Morgan
17. Alton Ellis – Girl I've Got A Date   2:24
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Alton Ellis
18. The Paragons – Happy Go Lucky Girl   3:06
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – John Holt
19. Delroy Wilson – Dancing Mood   2:51
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written By – B. Lowery
20. Ken Boothe – The Train Is Coming   3:20
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – K. Boothe
21. Hopeton Lewis – Take It Easy   2:49
Producer – Sam Mitchell, W. Blake
Written-By – H. Lewis    
22. The Jamaicans – Ba Ba Boom   3:20
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Tommy Cowan    
23. Desmond Dekker – 007 (Shanty Town)   2:41
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – D. Dekker    
24. Bob Andy – I've Got To Go Back Home   3:05
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – K. Anderson    
25. The Techniques – Queen Majesty   3:31
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Curtis Mayfield    
26. Dobby Dobson – Loving Pauper   3:15
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Dobby Dobson    
27. Phyllis Dillon – Don't Stay Away   2:32
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Unknown Artist

Flac Size: 385 MB
    
CD 2.  REGGAE HIT THE TOWN (1968 - 1974)        

                          

01. Desmond Dekker – Israelites   2:48
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – Dekker, Kong
02. The Maytals – 54-46 (That's My Number)   2:54
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – Frederick Hibbert    
03. The Ethiopians – Reggae Hit The Town   2:25
Producer – H. Robinson
Written-By – Leonard Dillon
04. Max Romeo – Wet Dream   2:48
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – Max Romeo
05. The Uniques – My Conversation   3:38
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – E. Lee, Smith    
06. Stranger Cole & Lester Sterling – Bangarang   3:08
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – Lee, Sterling    
07. The Upsetters – Return Of Django   2:25
Producer – Lee Perry
Written-By – Lee Perry    
08. Harry J. All Stars – The Liquidator   2:52
Producer – Harry J
Written-By – H. Johnson    
09. The Melodians – Rivers Of Babylon   4:16
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – Dowe, McNaughton
10. Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come   3:40
Producer – Jimmy Cliff
Written-By – J. Cliff    
11. Bob & Marcia – Young Gifted & Black   3:06
Producer – Harry J
Written-By – Simone, Irvine
12. U-Roy – Wake The Town   2:27
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – E. Beckford
13. Pat Kelly – How Long   3:54
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – P. Kelly    
14. Dave & Ansel Collins – Double Barrel   2:47
Producer – Winston Riley
Written-By – W. Riley    
15. Winston 'Niney' Holness – Blood & Fire   3:05
Producer – Niney
Written-By – W. Holness    
16. Eric Donaldson – Cherry Oh Baby     3:01 
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – E. Donaldson    
17. Delroy Wilson – Better Must Come   2:34
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – Delroy Wilson    
18. Dennis Brown – Money In My Pocket   2:33
Producer – Joe Gibbs
Written-By – D. Brown, J. Gibson    
19. John Holt – Stick By Me   3:19
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – Unknown Artist
20. Dennis Alcapone – Teach The Children   2:30
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – D. Smith    
21. Big Youth – S.90 Skank   2:50
Producer – Keith Hudson
Written-By – Hudson
22. Ken Boothe – Everything I Own   3:44
Producer – Lloyd Charmers
Written-By – David Gates    
23. Dennis Brown – Westbound Train   3:07
Producer – Niney
Written-By – D. Brown
24. Johnnie Clarke – Move Out A Babylon   3:38
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – J. Clarke    
25. Junior Byles – Curly Locks   3:22
Producer – Lee Perry
Written-By – L. Perry
    

Flac Size: 389 MB

CD3.  NATTY SING HIT SONGS (1975 - 1981)        

                     

    
01. The Heptones – Country Boy   2:58
Producer – Harry J
Written-By – L. Sibbles    
02. I-Roy – Welding   3:48
Producer – Jo Jo Hookim
Written-By – Roy Reid    
03. Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey   3:24
Producer – Jack Ruby
Written-By – Fullwood, Rodney    
04. The Mighty Diamonds – Right Time   3:15
Producer – Jo Jo Hookim
Written-By – Mighty Diamonds
05. Roman Stewart – Natty Sing Hit Songs   3:19
Producer – Tommy Cowan
Written-By – R. Stewart
06. Leroy Smart – Ballistic Affair   3:06
Producer – Jo Jo Hookim
Written-By – F. Jones
07. Jacob Miller – Tenement Yard   2:37
Producer – Tommy Cowan
Written-By – J. Miller, R. Lewis    
08. Max Romeo – War Ina Babylon   4:04
Producer – Lee Perry
Written-By – L. Perry, M. Smith
09. Junior Murvin – Police & Thieves   3:45
Producer – Lee Perry
Written-By – J. Murvin, L. Perry    
10. Culture – Two Sevens Clash   3:29
Producer – Joe Gibbs
Written-By – Walker, Thompson, Hill, Dayes, Gordon    
11. Delroy Wilson – I'm Still Waiting   4:05 
Producer – Lloyd Charmers
Written-By – B. Marley
12. Bob Marley & The Wailers – No Woman No Cry   4:04
Producer – Chris Blackwell, Steve Smith
Written-By – V. Ford
Written-By [Uncredited] – Bob Marley    
13. Althea & Donna – Uptown Top Ranking   3:54
Producer – Joe Gibbs
Written-By – A. Forrest, D. Reid, E. Thompson
14. Gregory Isaacs – Number One   3:43
Producer – Gregory Isaacs
Written-By – G. Isaacs    
15. Wailing Souls – Bredda Gravalicious   3:52
Producer – Wailing Souls
Written-By – W. Matthews
16. Sugar Minott – River Jordan   3:08
Producer – L. Minott
Written-By – L. Minott
17. Willie Williams – Armagideon Time   5:09
Producer – C. Dodd
Written-By – Dodd, Williams    
18. Black Uhuru – Guess Who's Coming To Dinner   4:54 
Producer – Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar
Written-By – M. Rose    
19. Junior Delgado – Fort Augustus   4:06
Producer – Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar
Written-By – Junior Delgado    
20. Freddie McGregor – Joggin'   3:43
Producer, Written-By – Freddie McGregor
21. Dennis Brown – Sitting & Watching   3:28
Producer – Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar
Written-By – D. Brown
    

Flac Size: 434 MB

CD 4.  DANCE HALL GOOD TO ME (1982 - 1993)        

                           

    
01. Gregory Isaacs – Night Nurse   4:05
Producer – Gregory Isaas
Written-By – G. Isaacs, S.A. Weise
02. Yellowman – Mad Over Me   3:13
Producer – Channel One
Written-By – W. Foster
03. Michigan & Smiley – Diseases   3:31
Producer – 'Junjo' Lawes
Written-By – Fairclough
04. Johnny Osbourne – Water Pumping   3:06
Producer – Jammy's
Written-By – Osbourne, James    
05. Frankie Paul – Pass The Tusheng Peng   3:07
Producer – Junjo Lawes
Written-By – F. Paul    
06. Barrington Levy – Here I Come   3:37
Producer – Jah Screw
Written-By – B. Levy    
07. Tenor Saw – Ring The Alarm   3:13
Producer – Winston Riley
Written-By – C. Bright, Riley    
08. Wayne Smith – Under Me Sleng Teng   4:07
Producer – Jammy's
Written-By – Wayne Smith
09. Anthony Red Rose - Tempo   3:30
Producer – King Tubby's
Written-By – A. Cameron    
10. Super Cat – Boops   3:59
Producer – Winston Riley
Written-By – W. Maragh    
11. Half Pint – Greetings   3:36
Producer – George Phang
Written-By – Trinity 
12. Admiral Bailey – Punanny   3:27
Producer – Jammy's
Written-By – Delroy Thompson    
13. Red Dragon – Hol' A Fresh   3:54
Producer – Winston Riley
Written-By – Red Dragon
14. Gregory Isaacs – Rumours   4:09
Producer – Augustus 'Gussie' Clarke
Written-By – C. Hines
15. Tinga Stewart & Ninjaman – Cover Me   3:23
Lyrics By [Additional Lyrics] – D. Ballantine
Producer – Pickout
Written-By – Hinton, Greene    
16. Papa San & Lady G – Legal Rights   4:04
Producer – Winston Riley
Written-By – Lady G, Papa San, W. Riley
17. Shabba Ranks – Wicked Inna Bed   2:58
Producer – Bobby Digital
Written-By – C. Browne, R. Gordon, W. Johnson
18. Pinchers – Bandelero   3:32
Producer – Jammy's
Written-By – Delroy Thompson    
19. Tiger – Yuh Dead Now   3:49
Producer – Shocking Vibes
Written-By – Norman Jackson
20. Buju Banton – Bogle Dance   3:01
Producer – Dave Kelly
Written-By – Dave Kelly, Mark Myrie    
21. Chaka Demus & Pliers – Murder She Wrote   4:05
Producer – Herbie Harris, Jason Lee, Lloyd Willis, Sly Dunbar
Written-By – E. Banner, J. Taylor, L. Willis, S. Dunbar    
22. Shaggy – Oh Carolina   3:10
Producer – Sting International
Written-By – John Folkes

Flac Size: 468 MB

CD5.  DON'T WALK ON THE GRASS. SMOKE IT! 

                                  

"This is a compilation made by Urban Aspirines for you. You can't find it in music stores or on the internet. I hope you like it!"

01. Bob Marley - Buffalo Soldier
02. Big Youth - Train To Rodesia
03. Groundation - We Na Forget (Rome)
04. Third Word - Try Jah Love
05. Althea And Donna -  No More Fighting
06. Steel Pulse - Ku Klux Klan
07. Blacl Uhuru -  Plastic Smile
08. Barrington levy -  Quick Divorse
09. Max Romeo - I Chase The Devil
10. Amparanoia - El Destino
11.Gregory isaacs - Poor And Clean
12. Burning Spear -  Slavery days
13. Alpha Blondie - Sebe Allah Y'e
14. The Abyssinians - The Good lord
15. Peter Tosh - Legalize It
16. Aswad - Danger In Your Eyes
17. Inner Circle - Bad Boys
18. Jacob Miller - Tenement Yard
19. UB 40 - Tyler
20. Bob Marley - Could You Be Loved

Flac Size: 637 MB