CD
Review
The Best of Delroy Wilson, "Original Eighteen"
Delroy Wilson
Studio One,
Heartbeat Records
Someone once said that if you were
to buy a Studio One disc at random, you would never be disappointed.
The latest string of releases by Heartbeat Records, featuring a solid
collection of Studio One discs, has done nothing but to increase the
believability of such a notion.
From the sounds of Studio One, one
of the latest releases Heartbeat has offered to the world has been The
Best of Delroy Wilson, “Original
Eighteen.” Mr. Wilson produced his
first song at the age of 13 in 1961, and continued to work with Clement
“Coxone” Dodd at Studio One throughout the 60’s.
As a young teen,
Delroy Wilson got his start at Studio One under the tutelage of Clement
Dodd and surrounded by Jamaica's top musicians - the Skatalites and the
Soul Vendors, and artists like Bob Marley & the Wailers, Alton Ellis,
Marcia Griffiths, Ken Boothe, the Heptones, and other luminaries. He
recorded his first songs while standing on a Red Stripe beer box, but
while at Studio One, he developed into one of Jamaica's great soul
singers and one of reggae music's most beloved artist and songwriter.
Delroy's prolific career spanned the musical eras of ska, rock steady,
and modern reggae and was only cut short when he tragically passed away
in 1995.
Carrying through the transition from
early days of Ska through Rocksteady, “Original
Eighteen” features
smooth rhythms underneath the delicate voice of Delroy Wilson. Mr.
Wilson may not be well known with today's modern reggae and music fan,
but his music is a timeless window within the foundation of early
reggae, and with clarity from original production, the release of “Original
Eighteen” captures an early sliver of reggae in its rocksteady era.
“Original Eighteen” is a must have
for any true fan of reggae and rocksteady, and definitely a great
addition to any collection for fans of good music.
Reviewed by Larry
Leiber, Reggae Movement
