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For those that believe that Jamaica's musical legacy began with the dawn of Ska this box set may come as something of a surprise.
JA in the fifties was within listening range of many of America's more powerful radio transmitters and artists such as Fats Domino,Joe Turner and Louis Jordan were to be heard all over the island. The music of New Orleans was particularly popular.Something of an anomaly when you consider that in the 'enlightened' we were being bombarded with groundbreaking shows such as 'two way family favourites'!!!
Inevitably JA began to produce its own version of this new music.Musicians such as Roland Alphonso,Baba Brooks,Rico,Don Drummond and Owen grey performed under various guises turning out JA's own version of R&B.

This 3 CD set spotlights some 50 tracks from this ers.There are some excellent examples of Jump Blues,Doo-wop and R&B. The fledgling sound of Ska can be heard raising its head on several tracks

Highlights of disc one include Blues Busters coming over like Shep & Limelighters on a doo wop 'pleading for mercy',Lloyd Clarke's quirky 'Japanese girl',an excellent jump jive 'nobody else'by Owen Gray,Jimmy James soulful 'I don't wanna cry'and some great group R&B by Jiving Juniors with 'my hearts desire'

Disc two continues the standards set with some standout tracks by Owen Gray-Joe Turner eat your heart out!, some excellent doo wop by Lloyd Clarke and an excellent rocker in 'magic'by Rico & duke Reid's All stars.In addition there are a couple of excellent slabs of R&B in 'Parapinto boogie'and 'early one morning.'

The last disc continues the trend including a touch of Ska in Derek & Patsy's version of 'let the good times roll.'There is Jimmy Cliff's first waxing as a 14 year old on 'dearest Beverly',Keith & Enid giving JA's answer to Shirley and Lee and Derek harriot displaying his R&B chops with the Jiving Juniors on 'dearest darling'

The only problem with a set such as this is that it incorporates several musical styles and as such may fall between several stools.there are items of interest to fans of R&B,Rock & Roll,Doo Wop and Ska but a dedicated fan of one particular genre may only find a small percentage to hold their interest.
However,if your tastes are more catholic and you can appreciate Black Music in its many forms then this is a must.

Sit back and enjoy!!!