Along with Clement Dodd,
Duke Reid was one of Jamaica's most innovative and busy producers in the '60s. His sweet, heavy sound left its mark on a long list of ska, rock steady, and early reggae sides, all performed by many of the big names from the golden era in Jamaican music. On the Trojan release
Ba Ba Boom there's a selection of some of
Reid's best rocksteady and reggae numbers. The U.S. soul, Impressions-inspired sound of harmony groups like the Paragons, Jamaicans, and Techniques is featured on the first half of the disc with
Alton Ellis' soulful version of "Willow Tree" and Justin Hinds and the Dominoes' late ska classic "Carry Go Bring Home," providing nice contrast. The second half focuses on early reggae sides including
Alton Ellis' "Breaking Up," the Tennor's early roots reggae cut "Hopeful Village," and Phyliss Dillon's Jamaican diva contribution "Midnight Confession." For a more exhaustive record of
Reid's apex rocksteady output you might want to pick up the fine Heartbeat double CD Duke Reid's Treasure Chest, but if what you want is more varied coverage of the producer's work, you should definitely get this excellent Trojan release. With only two songs overlapping between the two collections, it's certainly worth having both of them. ~ Stephen Cook