Sound Dimension: Mojo Rocksteady Beat Vinyl 2LP

Rock pon the rock! This double vinyl set collects 17 crucial instrumentals laid down by Studio One house band Sound Dimension between 1967 and 1970, which were later voiced by legendary Studio One vocalists Alton Ellis, Marcia Griffiths, Sugar Minott, The Heptones and more; many of which became standards in roots and dancehall productions for decades to come; endlessly rinsed & re-versioned by the likes of Junjo Lawes, Wackies, King Jammy and many more. Clement “Sir Coxsone” Dodd put together Sound Dimension in 1967 and had them record riddims day in and day out, modeling them after Motown house band The Funk Brothers and Booker T. & The MGs at Stax. The lineup constantly evolved, but always consisted of a who’s who of legendary Jamaican session musicians, including bassist Leroy Sibbles, Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace on drums and keyboardist Jackie Mittoo, to name a few. The tracks contained herein are fashioned in a strict rocksteady stylie but have since been co-opted and adapted to practically every iteration of Jamaican music, including roots, reggae, digital; right up to modern-day dancehall. This is the foundation of reggae music. You’ll recognize some of the most-rinsed cuts (“Real Rock,” “Rockfort Rock,” “Ironside”), but be sure to check some of our other favorites: “In Cold Blood,” “Heavy Rock,” “Less Problem.” “Great Mu Ga Ru Ga” is so odd and tightly arranged, it almost sounds like an early Jammy’s digi tune, predating “Sleng Teng” by a decade and a half. Gorgeously compiled (as always) by Soul Jazz Records on double vinyl with printed inner sleeves and code for digital download. Recommended.

• double vinyl pressing
• printed inner sleeves
• digital download included
• music label: Soul Jazz Records 2017

reviewed by peanut dust 09/2017