Soul Jazz Records: Studio One Roots (Colored Vinyl) Vinyl 2LP Soul Jazz Records

Seminal 2001 roots reggae compilation repressed on limited edition blue vinyl! Originally released in 2001, Studio One Roots is one of the bestselling compilations from London’s Soul Jazz Records and laid the groundwork for dozens more collaborations with the Jamaican reggae institution. Here’s our original Lab review from when we first carried the CD almost 2 decades ago:

These guys really got it right this time. Their Studio One Soul release was received with lukewarm reception, but this one is an absolute killer. With the exception of a couple tracks, all of this material is new to me and it all blew me away. I’m not sure of the rarity meter on these tracks, but the compilers definitely went deep for this one. The first track I put on was the Black Brothers “School Children” and I nearly dropped bricks in my shorts. With the fine exception of Freddie McGregor’s “Africa Here I Come” (which appears here in extended version) and a few others like Devon Russell’s “Drum Song,” most tracks do not appear on the classic Studio One riddims, strictly refreshing and highly unique originals. The instrumental tracks featured here are straight up mango dripping off your face in the sunshine. Does it get more sublime than the Sound Dimension’s “Congo Rock?” If you are at all into the sound, you need to have this album. Other tracks include Cyclones + Count Ossie’s “Meditation,” Cornell Campbell’s “Natty Don’t Go” Willie Williams’ “Addis Ababa,” Leroy Wallace’s “Far Beyond,” Lennie Hibbert’s “More Creation,” Winston Jarrett’s “Fear Not,” Alton Ellis “Blackish White,” Zoot Simms’ “African Challenge” and more. Amazing.

• 20th anniversary repress of seminal 2001 roots reggae compilation
• blue colored double vinyl pressing
• includes printed inner sleeves w/ extensive liner notes
• digital download included
• limited edition
• music label: Soul Jazz Records 2021

reviewed by the mgmnt 10/2005