Rhythm Of The Sun – Telstar

RHYTHM OF THE SUN – TELSTAR 1989

Althia and Donna are the easy entry point into Rhythm Of The Sun, because their “Uptown Top Rankin” still feels like the sharpest, sassiest cut in the bunch, and Telstar wisely hangs the rest of the set around that same crossover sweet spot. Aswad’s “Don’t Turn Around, ” Maxi Priest’s “Wild World, ” and Ken Boothe’s “Everything I Own” keep the riddim moving in that late-’80s reggae-pop lane, while Bob Marley, Freddie McGregor and Grace Jones pull the tracklist back toward deeper roots and star power. Telstar, the label behind this 1989 set, had a real ear for material that could travel beyond the yard without losing its Jamaican pulse, and you can hear that thinking in the way each voice lands cleanly on the groove. Even the oddball touch of Sly and Robbie’s “Boops” near the end feels like a little wink.

Rhythm Of The Sun Tracklist:

1. Dreadlock Holiday
2. Althia & Donna – Uptown Top Rankin
3. Aswad – Dont Turn Around
4. Bill Withers – Lovely Day
5. Bob Marley – Soul Shakedown Party
6. Eric Clapton – I Shot The Sheriff
7. Freddie Mcgregor – Just Dont Wanna Be Lonely
8. Grace Jones – My Jamaican Guy
9. Ken Boothe – Everything I Own
10. Kid Creole & The Coconuts – I’m A Wonderful Thing Baby
11. Maxi Priest – Wild World
12. Nicky Thomas – Love Of The Common People
13. Sly & Robbie – Boops
14. Sugar Minott – Good Thing Going
15. The Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra – Minnie The Moocher
16. Third World – Now That We’ve Found Love
17. Wham – Club Tropicana
18. Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers – Tomorrow People