Studio One Showcase 45 (Expanded Edition) - Soul Jazz Records - NiceUp

Soul Jazz Records (UK) – SJR LP 546, released February 28 2025

Studio One was founded by Clement “Coxsone” Dodd in 1954. The first recordings were cut in 1963 at Brentford Road (now Studio One Boulevard) in Kingston, Jamaica. Throughout the 1960’s to the mid 1980’s, Sir Coxsone crafted many of the instrumental templates for the riddims we know and love today as reggae, dancehall and rub-a-dub.

To this day Studio One recordings have an immense following and the original vinyl records and tapes from the era go for astronomical sums. Studio One is edged in history as one of Kingston’s and the world’s most loved and celebrated recording studios.

Soul Jazz Records Studio One Showcase 45 features the ultimate who’s who of classic Studio One reggae legends, including Horace Andy, Cornell Campbell, Bob Marley and The Wailers, Jackie Mittoo, The Heptones and The Skatalites. The album features classic cuts like Bob Marley and The Wailer’s original ska version of “One Love” (1966) and Judah Eskender Tafari’s re-version of “Danger In Your Eyes” (1978).

The album was previously only released as a limited-edition seven-inch box set for Record Store Day 2019. It has now been expanded into a double-vinyl edition, as well as its first time on CD. It features eight bonus tracks of Studio One classics and rarities. This gatefold album also comes with new sleeve and track notes by Noel Hawks. The art and design is world-class.

The entire two plates of this album are incredibly strong. It’s the sweetest nectar and here are my picks.

Freddie McGregor, “Beat down Babylon” was a massive hit in late 1971 to 1972. It went on to become one of 1972’s biggest selling records, was pivotal in the Rastafarian movement and has a super heavy drum and bass line to boot.

Lone Ranger, “Dance A Fe Cork” is on a well versioned “Throw Mi Corn” riddim, coming to life again in this sublime 1982 rub-a-dub remake. Crucial listening.

Johnny Osbourne, “Run Up Your Mouth” tells a story about showing off. The track fuses a selection of put downs and Jamaican folk saying to add new flavour to Delroy Wilson’s timeless “Run Run” from 1968. Stone cold killer and highly entertaining.

This double LP features some of the finest cuts to have ever come out of beautiful Jamaica. The quality of the mastering and the pressing is absolutely top notch. It’s exciting and truly epic.

More info:
Studio One Showcase 45 – Soul Jazz Records