Little Nut Tree Riddim – 10 Roosevelt Ave., Gay Feet, Studio One

Little Nut Tree Riddim – 10 Roosevelt Ave. , Gay Feet, Studio One comes as a compact four-track slice of late-’60s Jamaican songwriting and studio craft, credited to Harry J, Coxsone Dodd and Yabby U and set around the 1968 Melodians cut Little Nut Tree. Dennis Alcapone’s Little Nut Tree Version from 1971 brings the deejay twist, while The Harry J All Stars’ Stay To Play adds an instrumental feel and Wayne Wade’s Nut Tree stretches the idea into the late ’70s. The Melodians give the riddim its anchor with a smooth original vocal, and the whole selection has that classic Studio One-era balance of harmony, versioning and deep roots timing.