Play Play Riddim – Morwell Esquire

For this 1983 Morwell Esquire cut, the draw is the trio of versions riding the same groove: Earl Cunningham’s “Oh What A Day, ” Earl Sixteen’s title track “Play Play, ” and the Morwells’ own “Got To Get Away. ” Earl Sixteen gets the nod as the key voice here, and that makes sense, because his cut sits right at the centre of the set with that classic early-’80s reggae feel — lean, earthy, and built for the roots crowd rather than anything flashy. Morwell Esquire’s production keeps the session tight and unfussy, letting the vocals carry the weight while the rhythm does the steady work underneath. It’s a small three-track package, but the lineup tells you exactly what era and sound you’re getting, with “Play Play” as the anchor and “Oh What A Day” and “Got To Get Away” filling out the sides.