Various – Atlantic 1 (Expanded Edition)

This album was released in 1976 and featured the production work of Alvin Ranglin. With Ranglin having a high status on the Reggae scene the London-based record company Trojan Records started releasing his finest works, both on 7″ singles and long-playing compilation albums. The last of the albums is featured here and contains 51 tracks, most of which are new to CD. Also included on this collection are an array of bonus tracks.

DISC ONE

1. ATLANTIC ONE – Ansel Collins & G.G All Stars. We remember when along with Dave Barker Ansel went high into the UK charts with ‘Double Barrell’. On this, the opening track on this disc we naturally hear Ansel on an instrumental organ dominated sound with a punchy rhythm track. This is overall a catchy sound to start the original album tracks. Released in Jamaica on G.G Records label in 1974. 2. HOLD MY HAND – The Starlites. Mid-tempo punchy Reggae on which the lead vocal is sung by Stanley Beckford, helped-out by a female chorus. Overall this track sounds familiar and has a Gospel-influenced sound. Released in Jamaica on Volcano label and UK on Attack label. 3. SAME FOLKS – Ronnie Davis. This has Ronnie in a soulful mood in front of a chorus and they combine well together. The rhythm track is slightly faster than the previous ones and on the original Jamaican release the vocalist is credited as Ranny Davis. Released in Jamaica on Volcano label and UK on Attack. 4. I NEED YOUR LOVE – Gregory Isaacs. Written by the legend that is Gregory Isaacs, this comes with another mid-tempo rhythm track which is punchy in make-up. Gregory is helped-out by backing singers and at 2mins 47secs is a classy recording. Released in Jamaica on Hit label and UK on Harry J label. 5. SITTING ON THE SIDEWALK – Ansel Linkers. Starting with a slow spoken intro it leads into a slower sound with a laid-back rhythm track. Written by Ansil Craigland and Ansel’s vocal is clear and full-on. Nothing particularly stunning about this track just average Reggae. Released in Jamaica on G.G Records label and UK Harry J label. 6. JOAN – The Tidals. This comes with a long instrumental intro before moving into a mid-tempo number. The lead vocalist is joined by fellow group members on vocal from time-to-time and organ is prominent mid-way through. The Tidals were a deep-roots outfit in the 1960s and onwards. Released in Jamaica on G.G Records. 7. MARIE’S SONG – Fitz Major. Written by the vocalist it is a mid-tempo punchy sound on which Fitz’s vocal is full-on. The rhythm track is basic and one ends up listening to 3mins 14secs of pleasant Reggae. Nothing to tell about the artist. Released in Jamaica on Boss Disco label and UK on Horse label. 8. OPEN UP YOUR DOOR – Freddie McKay. Most Jamaican music fans will know the work of the vocalist and here we have a typical sound from Freddie. The rhythm is mid-tempo along with another basic backing track and Freddie sounds young on this recording. Released in Jamaica on G.G Records label 1974. 9. SENSUOUS WOMEN – The Maytones. Starting with a spoken intro it moves into a mid-tempo sound that is familiar, not sure from which recording. The rhythm track is punchy and the vocal is shared by the duo and is clear and full-on. Released in Jamaica on Typhoon label 1977. 10. DON’T GO – Gregory Isaacs. This has a Roots Reggae feel and a punchy rhythm track. The vocal from Gregory is up to the standard one would expect from this Jamaican legend. This is the final track from the A side of the original album. Released in Jamaica on Power Pack label and UK on Attack label 1974. 11. HOW GLAD I AM – The Tidals. This comes as a version of the Nancy Wilson original and has a mid-tempo rhythm track. The lead vocal is by Earl “Chinna” Smith and the other group members help out from time-to-time. Overall an accomplished version of a good song. Released in Jamaica on Boss Disco label and UK on Attack label1975. 12. A HOH ME TROUBLE YOU – The Willows. This has a mid-tempo rhythm and combined group vocals. The sound is not unlike early recordings by The Pioneers. Do not know who the identity of the vocalists. Released in Jamaica on G.G Records label and UK on Attack label 1974. 14. REASONING WITH THE ALMIGHTY – Gregory Isaacs. This comes as a Roots Reggae number on which Gregory’s vocal is clear. The rhythm is mid-tempo and punchy with the vocalist at his best. Recorded in Jamaica on G.G Records label and UK on Horse label 1975. 15. TAKE A WALK – The Tidals. This is a faster sound on which the vocals come group combined. The rhythm track is uncluttered and gets the feet tapping. Released in Jamaica on Volcano label. 18. CALL ME TEACHER – The Bluebells. This is a slower number on which the vocals are shared by all group members. The rhythm track is punchy and although nothing special it ads to what is a cool slice of Reggae. The Bluebells also recorded with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry in his Black Ark period. Released in Jamaica on Volcano label. 19. HOW GLAD I AM, PART 2 – The G.G All Stars. This is nothing more than a Dub version of the vocal version by The Tidals, reviewed previously. As a version it is pleasant enough, Released in Jamaica on G.G Records label and UK on Attack label 1975. 20. MAMMA DEE, PART 2 – The G.G All Stars. Another version of a previous track which is mid-tempo. This dose not going anywhere and not one of the albums memorable sounds. This was the final track on the original 12″ vinyl. Released in Jamaica on Hit label 1974.
BONUS TRACKS (A Selection)
21. ATLANTIC ONE, PART 2 – The G.G All Stars. Starting off the bonus tracks we have an instrumental version of the opening track from the original album. It has a Dub feeling and one has to say it is catchy in its way. Released in Jamaica on G.G Records label and UK on Attack label 1974. 23. HOLD MY HAND, PART 2 – The G.G All Stars. Once again it comes as a Dub version, it does have a fleeting vocal mid-way and again it is a catchy sound. Released in Jamaica on Volcano label and UK on Attack label. 25. A NOH ME NO TROUBLE YOU (INSTRUMENTAL). A mid-tempo version of a previously reviewed number. It has as with the previously reviewed tracks a Dub feel. Released in Jamaica on Volcano label and UK on 25. A NOH ME NO TROUBLE (INSTRUMENTAL) – The G.G All Stars. A mid-tempo version of a previously reviewed track. It has, as with the previously reviewed track, a Dub sound. Released in Jamaica on Typhoon label 1975.

DISC TWO

4. NANA BANANA – U Roy. As one would expect this is a DJ talk-over sound and U Roy gives his all. Nothing special about this number just the usual top-notch recording. Released in Jamaica on Weed label 1976. 9. STONE HEARTED WOMEN – Glen Washington. This is a rootsy number on which the vocalist gives a full-on vocal over a mid-tempo, punchy rhythm track. Foot-tapping sound this one. Released in Jamaica on Everglades label IN 1976. 11. SOLDERING – The Starlites. This features Stanley Beckford on vocal and the song is co-written by Beckford and Alvin Ranglin. The rhythm track comes punchy and uncluttered along with another full-on vocal. It is a very accomplished recording from a good Jamaican outfit. Released in Jamaica on Marts label and UK on Hose label 1975. 15. VOICE OF THE FATHER – Glen Washington. Written by the vocalist we have a mid-tempo sound with Glen giving a highly-rated vocal in front of an uncluttered rhythm track. One has to say that it is a wicked tune. Released in UK on Attack label 1976. 17. SHA LA LA – The Maytones. This outfit was one of Jamaica’s top duos and on this mid-tempo sound they come up with a cool slice of Roots Reggae. The rhythm track is slick and overall this recording is classy. Released in Jamaica on Boss Disco label and UK on Horse label. 20. FIGHTING FOR LIFE – Vince Powell. This artist was London-based and on the original Jamaican release was credited as Vallin Powell. This is written by the vocalist and is a punchy mid-tempo sound. The vocal is clear and the artist is worth looking out for on both album and single recordings. Released in Jamaica on Volcano label. 22. HUSH BLACK BROTHERS – The Marveltones. Mid-tempo number with a punchy rhythm track. The vocal is both combined and solo with a cacking that floats and uncomplicated. With the vocals it ends up as a pleasant Roots Reggae sound. Released in Jamaica on Grimm Ben label 1974. 25. THE BATTLE GOT HOTTER – Austin Campbell. This comes with a punchy rhythm track and a rootsy feeling behind a good vocal from an artist who will probably be new to most review readers, it has a rootsy feeling. Not sure about further recordings by this artist but an investigation will take place. This track appears to only be on the album ‘Tight Rock’ released in UK on Trojan label 1977.

In summing up this 51- track collection, 2CD collection with most tracks new to CD, the original album was really only popular with die-hard Reggae fans. Until now it has been largely overlooked and it is now that Doctor Bird/Cherry Red Records have released, along with an array of bonus tracks onto this collection. ‘Atlantic 1’ was the last album produced by Alvin Ranglin and along with Dub cuts and instrumental versions of the album tracks it adds up to another fine collection from the aforementioned record company, and at £14 llp it is value for money.

The Starlights – Soldering