Why Did You Leave Riddim – Various Labels

Why Did You Leave produced by Henry Lawes, Coxsone Dodd, Brad Osborne, Alvin Ranglin, Stewart Chin, Tony Asher for Volcano, Studio One, Brad’s, Clocktower, Black Ovation, T Ash Muzik in 1967

Originally cut in 1967 and created by Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, Why Did You Leave Riddim has one of those rocksteady-to-reggae roots that kept resurfacing across different labels and eras. The Heptones’ original Why Did You Leave is the anchor here, with later versions from Barrington Levy, General Echo, and Scientist and The Roots Radics showing how long the melody and bassline stayed useful. The track also turned up through Brad’s, Clocktower, Volcano, Black Ovation, and T Ash Muzik, with later work from Henry Lawes, Brad Osborne, Alvin Ranglin, Stewart Chin, and Tony Asher keeping it active well beyond the 1960s. It’s a classic Studio One foundation riddim, clean and melodic in its first form, then tougher and more deejay-friendly as the versions move into the 1970s and 1980s.

Why Did You Leave Riddim Tracklist:

1. [Dub] – One-Two (1980)
2. Barrington Levy – Why Did You Leave Me (1980)
3. Bongo B – Bongo Cup (1974)
4. General Echo – This Is A Lover’s Corner
5. Glen Adams – Black Cup (1974)
6. Glen Adams – Echo (1975)
7. I-Roy – Sun Top Blouse (1977)
8. Johnny Lover – Headcup (1975)
9. Leroy Sibbles & Prince Junior & Mikey Jarett – Why Did You Leave (1981)
10. The 3rd & 4th Generation – More Echo (1975)
11. The Heptones – Why Did You Leave (1967)
12. The Heptones – Why Did You Leave (1994)