Turn On The Heat – Sir Coxsone

Daddy Freddy’s “Bad Boy A Street” is the sharpest doorway into Turn On The Heat, a 1989 Sir Coxsone set that rides a tough, bright late-’80s dancehall pulse with a lean bassline and enough space for the vocals to cut through. Around him, Sanchez brings the sweeter side on “Joy (Medley)” and the Sanchez/Stinger Man cut “Hello Josephine, ” while Flourgon, Lukie D and Quench Aid keep the energy moving with rude-boy talk, lovers’ talk and warning-shot lyrics. The Firehouse Crew version helps anchor the whole thing, and there’s a nice bit of scene history here too: the riddim is credited to Philip “Fatis” Burrell, with the Sir Coxsone/Blacker Dread imprint tying it to that crucial moment when studio-led dancehall was hardening into its own distinct sound.