Collector's Edition: Rare Reggae From the Vaults of Studio One (Heartbeat, 1989)

Collector's Edition aims to gather some of the best "rare" material from Studio One's huge catalog.  Now, I don't know how rare Bob and Marcia's "Really Together" or Ken Boothe's "Moving Away" are, but I know that they're damn good songs.  Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths' chemistry "really" shine through on "Really Together," which rivals any of Motown's marvelous then-contemporary Marvin Gaye/Tami Terrell duets in terms of sheer power.  "Moving Away" is no less classic, its melodic soul music overtones echoed throughout this album in tracks like The Beltones' mellow "Soul People," Nora Dean's helium-voiced "Mojo Girl," and "Show Me the Way" by Glen and Dave (one of whom does a mean Stevie Wonder impersonation).  Burning Spear fans meanwhile get a treat in the form of the funky early reggae jam "Live Good," and Sugar Minott fans may be interested to find an early effort of his as part of the trio The African Brothers, although "No Cup, No Brook" itself isn't a great tune.  Likewise, not every tune here is great (Contrary to popular belief, not every Studio One song is pure gold.), but Collector's Edition has a nice relaxed rock steady vibe that should suit fans of this style just fine.