Black Star Liner: Reggae From Africa (Heartbeat, 1983)

As the liner notes state, this compilation "brings together for the first time in one place some of the best reggae yet produced by musicians from the African continent."  This may very well be true (It's probably the first African reggae collection released in the US, at least.), since Black Star Liner was released way back in 1983, when African reggae was starting to hit its stride.  The artists on this album never became household names in the US, but that doesn't take anything away from their ability.  These acts obviously studied Jamaican reggae closely and adapted it well for their own purposes.  There is a mix of '60s (ska), '70s (roots), and '80s (synth) sounds that is truly appealing.  And, although the tunes here aren't as outstanding as those on the great Reggae Africa compilation, they're decent nonetheless.  The two songs that truly stand out are Sonny Okosun's "Fire in Soweto" (also included on Shanachie's Fly African Eagle set) and particularly Cloud "7"'s atmospheric "You Can Make It," which would stand out in any collection, African or otherwise.