The Skatalites - Rebirth The Skatalites

Originally issued on the UK based Jam Sounds label in 1975, this album was a project overseen by one Glen Darby reuniting members of the legendary Skatalites including Lloyd Brevette, Lloyd Knibb, Ernest Ranglin, Roland Alphonso and Tommy McCook alongside ace session men of the time such as Horsemouth, Augustus Pablo and members of Ras Michael's Sons Of Negus on various hand drums featured prominently.

Recorded at various studio's in Kingston Jamaica including Lee Perry's Black Ark, Aquarius, the original album credits Harry J with the final mixdown at King Tubby's Studio, although the exact personnel and studio's used is a bit of a muddle.

Quite a roll call, but the album was pressed in extremely limited quantities and failed to make much impact at the time, possibly also due to the Skatalites credit which may have suggested something not altogether contemporary to reggae fans then grooving to the 'militant' sounds of The Revolutionaries and The Aggrovators.

It has been confusingly reissued and repackaged a number of times since its initial release alongside another set of mixes and even some previously unreleased tracks found on tape. A couple of the tracks also appeared on rare Jamaican pressed 45's at the time including a Tony Brevett vocal to Sealing Dub.

The sound is deep, and highly musical as one would expect, varying from heavy roots through to an adaptation of the old Ink Spots title Whispering Grass, a big pop hit for Windsor Davis and Don Estelle, stars of the popular British comedy show It Ain't Half Hot Mum around the same time as this albums original release!

Don't let that put you off though, this is proper roots reggae dub of rare quality, beautifully played and mixed and deserves a place in anyone's collection.