Ali Baba Riddim – Various labels

Rooted in the 1969 Ali Baba rhythm and later cut by a long list of producers and labels, this archive-style various-artists set pulls together versions linked to Duke Reid, Bunny Striker Lee, King Tubby, Coxsone Dodd, King Jammy, Sonia Pottinger and others, giving the classic riddim a wide cross-section of Jamaican production history. John Holt’s Ali Baba is the source tune, and the rhythm’s reach shows up here through cuts like Dirty Harry’s The Poor Barber, Jackie Edwards’ Ali Baba, I-Roy’s African Continent and Coco Tea’s Got To Be Good, alongside later versions from Anthony Cruz, Chuck Fender and Devon Clarke. It is one of those foundational reggae patterns that kept resurfacing across decades, with the 1973 Bunny Lee and King Tubby versions especially helping to cement its afterlife in dub and dancehall.

Ali Baba produced by Ty Hutchinson, Duke Reid, Jo Jo Hookim, Coxsone Dodd, King Tubby, Bunny Striker Lee, Trevor Mason, Lord Zelijko, King Jammy, Glenn Osborne, Sonia Pottinger, I-Roy, Lloyd Campbell, Michelle Campbell, Henry Lawes, Harry J, Maurice Johnson, Bertram Brown, Clifton Dillon, Sly Dunbar, Patrick Barrett, Anthony Barrett, Michael Stewart for Top Ranking, Treasure Isle, Well Charge, Moll-Selekta, Shang, Jammy’s, Front Line, Jackpot, Winro, Prophets, Clocktower, High Note, Thrillseekers, Top Rank, Volcano, Harry J, Black Scorpio, Columbia, Barry U, Studio One, Mixing Finga, S, J, Jet Star in 1969

Ali Baba Riddim Tracklist:

1. Al Campbell – Wish It Was Me (1998)
2. Anthony Cruz – Every Woman’s Dream (2004)
3. Anthony Que – Slaughter Dem
4. Chuck Fenda – Serious Time Now (2004)
5. Cobra – Wet Dream (1992)
6. Cocoa Tea – Got To Be Good (1985)
7. Colin Roach – Not Gonna Leave (1990)
8. Courtney Melody – No Guy Test
9. David Jahson – Clean Head Dread (No Licey Head)
10. Devon Clarke – Nuclear Bangarang (1998)
11. Dirty Harry – The Poor Barber (1976)
12. Dona V – Eyeglass Man (2000)
13. Alimantado – I Kill The Barber (1975)
14. Alimantado – Natty Dread Conquer The Barber (1975)
15. Alimantado & Jah Stitch – The Barber Feel It (1976)
16. Dreadzone – Ali Baba (1997)
17. Duke Reid All Stars – Arabian Dub
18. Earl Sixteen – Role A Belly (1986)
19. George Nooks – Don’t Let Them Suffer (1998)
20. George Nooks – Not The Same (2004)
21. Glen Washington – My Decision (1998)
22. High Plains Drifter – The Ruler (1998)
23. I-Roy – African Continent (1979)
24. I-Roy – Free Zimbabwe (1979)
25. I-Roy – I Shot The Barber
26. I-Roy – Mind Your Own Business
27. Jackie Edwards – Ali Baba (1973)
28. Jackie Edwards – Ali Baba (1983)
29. Jackie Edwards – Alibaba (1975)
30. Jah Stitch – Bury The Barber
31. Jahson All Stars – Dub In A Dread Land
32. Jimmy Riley – You Just Don’t Get It (2004)
33. John Holt – Ali Baba (1969)
34. John Holt – Ali Baba (2004)
35. John Holt – Peeping Tom (1983)
36. Johnny Osbourne – My Dream Last Night
37. Johnny Ringo – Ganja Exchange (1981)
38. Joseph Cotton – Ali Baba
39. King Kong – A.I.D.S. A Go Round (1986)
40. King Tubby – Dreams Of Dub
41. King Tubby – Dubbing The Right
42. King Tubby – King Tubby’s Borderline Dub
43. King Tubby & Prince Jammy & Dirty Harry & The Aggrovators – The Poor Barber (1975)
44. King Tubby & The Aggrovators – I Trim The Barber (1973)
45. Marcia Griffiths – True Love Is Hard To Achieve (1989)
46. Michigan – Militant Profile (1998)
47. Nardo Ranks – African Freedom
48. Phillip Fraser – Jah Love Is Divine (2006)
49. Pompidoo – Grammy Award (1987)
50. Rahaz – Nice And Slow (1998)
51. Ranking Joe – Natty Chase The Barber (2006)
52. Ras Myrhdak – For You (2004)
53. Richie Spice – Move Dem Out (2004)
54. Richie Stephens – For You
55. Rolando Alphonso – Theme From The Barber
56. Sidney Mills – Ali Baba Version (1998)
57. Sluggy Ranks – I Don’t Wanna Wait (1998)
58. The Blackstones – I Won’t Lie (2006)
59. The Prophets – Natty Dub De Barber Dub
60. Tommy McCook & The Supersonics – I Shave The Barber (1975)
61. Turbulence – Worthy To Be Praised (2004)
62. U Roy – Bury The Razor (1976)
63. Ugly Man – Old Hits Again (1986)
64. Ultimate Shines – Instrument Of Jah (2004)
65. Yellowman – Badness (1980)