Valley of Decision (Classic Sound, 1994)

An excellent, concise selection of tunes that span Alton Ellis' phenomenal career, Valley of Decision has tracks ranging from rock steady to roots reggae.  The title track even has a surprisingly Rastafarian edge to it.  Most of the songs here, though, are classic Ellis; 8 of them, in fact, are on the Cry Tough greatest hits album. With only 12 tracks, Valley of Decision is more efficient than Cry Tough, which spreads the material out over 20 cuts.  Additionally, Valley has two absolutely gorgeous slower, more "reggae" (as opposed to rock steady) tunes not on Cry Tough: "You Are Mine" and "I Want You Girl."  To top it off, the version of the outstanding "Remember That Sunday" on this album (here called "Please Leave Me Alone"), with its ultra-funky, slightly discordant organ jittering in and out, is superior to Cry Tough's alternate mix.  This brings me to another point: Valley, being a rather cheaply put together album, has given alternate titles to several well-known Ellis songs, so don't look at the tracks thinking that you're getting stuff you've never heard of.  "Willow Tree," for instance, is here called "Cry Not For Me," while "Breaking Up" is entitled "It Hurts Me So," "La La Means I Love You" is "I Love You," "Why Birds Follow Spring"  is "Why," "Ain't That Loving You" is "Love You For More Reasons Than One," and "All My Tears Come Rolling" is "Honey I Love You."

Sunday Coming (Heartbeat, 1995)

One of his most acclaimed Studio One albums, this re-issue makes Sunday Coming stronger with modern re-workings of two enduring classics: Derrick Harriott's "The Loser" (here re-named "The Winner") Dan The Gaylads' "Joy in the Morning."  Typically solid rock steady permeates the rest of the album, the best being "You Make Me So Very Happy" (also on Cry Tough, making it both a Studio One and Treasure Isle hit?), "Reason in the Sky," "What Does It Take To Win Your Love," and my favorite track here, his sultry, funky cover of The Guess Who's "These Eyes."  One tune he can't quite pull off, however, is "Wide Awake in a Dream," a later version of which (by Barry Biggs; see Island's Strictly For Lovers) was much more effective.

Track Listing 1. Joy in the Morning with The Gaylads 2. Sunday Coming 3. These Eyes 4. Hurting Me 5. It's True 6. Alton's Groove 7. What Does It Take to Win Your Love 8. The Picture Was You 9. Gonna Take a Miracle 10. Your Heart Is Gonna Pay 11. Wide Awake in a Dream 12. You Make Me So Very Happy 13. Reason in the Sky 14. The Winner [Extended Version]

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Many Moods of Alton Ellis (Makasound, 2006)

*GUEST REVIEW*
Alton Ellis is best known for his classic rocksteady/early reggae hits, while his later, more refined '70s work is somewhat overlooked. It's a pity, because Mr. Ellis was still at the top of his game, as this wonderful album proves. The Makasound release packages original Mr. Skabina album with 7 additional tracks from the same era (and of the same calibre). Unlike his earlier songs, many of these tracks focus on cultural or reality themes like racial pride ("Black My Experience"), repatriation ("Black On Black"), and righteousness ("No Man Is Perfect"). Thus, they have a distinctly heavier, roots sound. However, it's still the Godfather of Lover's Rock, and his romantic side is fully displayed on songs like "Rise & Fall," "Bless You," and "Loving You." Backed by the best musicians from the golden age of reggae (Sly and Robbie, The Heptones, Headley Bennett, Bobby Ellis, Vin Gordon, Lloyd Parks, and many others), this is the Alton Ellis we know and love: soulful, earnest, and thoughful. Virtually every song is a pure joy, most notably the soulful "Ain't No Music" (which Lee Perry produced), "The Children Are Crying," and the devastating 12-inch mix of "It's Hard to Be a Lover." The sound quality and liner notes are also excellent, making this one a must have for any serious reggae fan.

- Sir Marvin

Track Listing 1. Black on Black 2. I'll Take Your Hand 3. Black My Experience 4. Rise and Fall 5. Ain't No Music 6. No Man Is Perfect 7. Pure Sorrow 8. Bless You 9. Inside My Soul 10. The Humble Will Stumble 11. Mr. Skabina 12. The Children Are Crying 13. Loving You 14. If I Could Rule the World [Extended] 15. It's Hard to Be a Lover [Extended] 16. Stronger Cut [Version 1] 17. Stronger Cut [Version 2]

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