Solid Gold From The Vaults Vol 1-1983

This one reaches back to the early roots era, when the rhythm was still carrying that lean, skanking feel and the vocalists had plenty of room to work the pocket. Solid Gold From The Vaults Vol. 1 gathers 16 cuts from a deep roll call that includes Cornell Campbell, Dave Barker, Stranger Cole, The Bleechers, and The Hippy Boys, with Campbell’s “Music Keep On Playing” and Barker’s “Hot Sauce” among the likelier touchpoints. The set sits in that older Studio One/Treasure Isle style of Jamaican recording, where the bass moves in a steady line and the drums keep a dry, clipped bounce under the singers. Even the version side, “Walk With Love, ” keeps the pace tight and unhurried, with the groove holding firm on a clean one-drop pulse and a wiry bassline that does most of the talking.