Pretty much the ultimate classic reggae album.
Nigel Bell While mention of the term "reggae" normally results in "oh yeah, Bob Marley," time was when the Jamaican sound was chiefly associated with the Trojan record label. Pre-Marley and the Wailers, Britain bathed to the sunshine sounds of Desmond Dekker, The Harry J All Stars and Jimmy Cliff. Reggae and Ska - their home was Trojan and spin-off labels like Horse. Young, Gifted and Black brings together the cream of these tracks. 50 songs in all. Some were hits on their release, others inspired cover versions which shot to the top of the charts decades later. The chances are every one of these tracks will revive some memory. So of the hits first time around, give it up for Bob and Marica's title track, Desmond's Israelites, Dave and Ansel Collins Double Barrel. Possibly more interesting, those originals which inspired others. Long before Shaggy's Oh Carolina the were the Folkes Brothers. Ditto Dandy Livingstone's Rudy, A Message To You (The Specials), Tony Tribe's Red Red Wine (UB40), The Melodians Rivers of Babylon (Boney M) and Nicky Thomas with Love Of The Common People (Paul Young). So many gems we can even forgive the inclusion of Judge Dread's Big Seven. Most of his songs received radio bans when released although now they sound as radical as a Robin Askwith "Confessions..." movie. Young, Gifted and Black is released on Trojan/Sanctuary TJDDD006 
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