Cry Tough Riddim – Treasure Isle, Virgin, Studio One, Jammy’s

Cry Tough Riddim brings together the classic Treasure Isle cut with later takes tied to Virgin, Studio One and Jammy’s, and the post dates it to 1967. It centers on Alton Ellis and The Flames with Tommy McCook and The Supersonics on the original Cry Tough, then stretches through versions from Dennis Alcapone and Lizzy, Johnny Clarke, Devon Russell and Natural Vibes, plus Duke Reid All Stars’ Toughest. That mix gives it a neat cross-section of vocal and instrumental styles, with the Treasure Isle side carrying the warm rocksteady feel that made Alton Ellis one of Jamaica’s key singers. It plays like a compact but varied riddim selection, with the original cut leading the way and the later versions adding different shades across the years.