Creation Rockers Volumes 1 & 2 (Trojan, 1994 [orig. released 1979])

Collecting together the first two volumes of the popular Creation Rockers series on one CD, this is truly a great value.  The songs here range from ska and rock steady to dub and toasting to roots, with the emphasis on the latter.  Whatever the sub-genre, seminal tracks abound, such as Niney the Observor's "Blood and Fire" (which I personally don't care for a whole lot), Alton Ellis' lively "Dance Crasher," the classic rhythms of Slim Smith's "My Conversation" and Bob Andy's "Feeling Soul," Peter Tosh's "Brand New Second Hand," and Dennis Brown's "Conqueror."  My favorites, though, aren't quite as well-known as these.  Derrick Harriott's uncharacteristically militant "Message From a Black Man" features a great up-tempo acoustic guitar rhythm, while Ken Boothe's "You're No Good" is funky, funky, funky.  "I've Got Soul" by Carlton & The Shoes provides a privileged look at the group that spawned the legendary Abyssinians, with brothers Lynford and Donald Manning being two-thirds of each group (Their brother Carlton was, or course, Carlton.).  "I've Got Soul" is Abyssinian-esque in its cool, harmonic flow, similar to the Abyssinians' "There Is No End."  Volume 2 is somewhat better than Volume 1, but both are worthwhile; they are the bricks and mortar that helped form the foundation of reggae.

Volume 1:

Volume 2:

Volumes 1 & 2: