Various Artists Studio One Groups

15 years on from its original release, ‘Studio One Groups’ remains one of the toughest of all the Soul Jazz / Studio One releases and features some of the biggest groups in the history of Reggae music, including Bob Marley and The Wailers, Toots and the Maytals and The Heptones, who all began their careers at 13 Brentford Road, under the guidance of the great producer and label owner Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd.

Featuring many, many classic and killer tunes from The Wailing Souls, Carlton and His Shoes, The Gladiators, The Ethiopians, The Mad Lads and more. ‘Studio One Groups’ brings together numerous classic artists alongside a number of rarities and delves into Studio One’s musical output in its prime in the 1960s and 70s, featuring Ska, Roots, Rocksteady, Dub and more. Clement Dodd’s role in launching and nurturing Reggae groups and singers is unsurpassed and Studio One’s success was due to Dodd’s ability to see talent, surround himself with it and nurture artists.

Launching Bob Marley and The Wailers’ career at Studio One also meant housing Marley in a flat in the studio compound, as well as employing Marley in an A&R role, checking out the latest American soul and jazz 45s that came out for Studio One artists to cover. In similar fashion, Leroy Sibbles, lead vocalist with the Heptones, became the key in-house bass player after being taught from scratch by Jackie Mittoo.

Studio One Groups were at the heart of the label’s success. The sweet three- part harmonies, so close to the heart of Jamaican music, can be heard throughout every stylistic change of Reggae music - Ska, Rocksteady, Roots and beyond - all of which are featured here in all their vocalised glory.

The album comes with excellent informative sleevenotes by the author and Studio One discographer Rob Chapman, and exclusive photography including the stunning colour picture of Bob Marley and the Wailers on the front of the release.