All I Have Is Love: A Tribute to Studio One (Easy Star, 2001)

A wonderful testament to the power and longevity of Studio One's archive, All I Have Is Love features not only remakes of Studio One songs, but also original tunes recorded over vintage Studio One rhythms.  Most of the best work here is in the remakes, most notably the trio of Heptones tunes ("My Baby Is Gone," "Soul Power," and "There Ain't Nobody Else"), Johnny Osbourne's title track, and Ken Boothe's "Just Another Girl."  Those cuts, with the adept production skills of Sister Carol backing them, take on new life in a similarly rejuvenated way as the material on Steely & Clevie Play Studio One Vintage and Freddie McGregor's Jamaican Classics series.  Though not as classic (How could they be?), the original songs hold their own, headed by Sister Carol's bouncy "Listening," Jr. Jazz's  lovers rock track "Can I Change My Mind?," and a pair of strong cultural roots tunes, "Keep the Faith" by Sluggy Ranks and Dr. C and "Home Grown" by The Visionaires.  As All I Have Is Love is produced by Sister Carol, there is a refreshingly significant female presence, marked by the unusual inclusion of a female vocal harmony group, Motherland Soul, who perform admirably on this solid album.