*GUEST REVIEW*
This set assembles songs of the legendary Ethiopians, with as main, or remaining member Leonard Dillon, as his partner unfortunately died. They cover the period between 1966 and 1986, thus bridging the period from rock steady to early reggae to later (roots) reggae. A classic set, because most songs, recorded at Studio One, Randy's, and West Indies, are great, including musicians like Aston and Carlton Barret in their pre-Wailers years. Dillon's singing voice is likable and flexible from rougher, to more falsetto and emotive. The latter is particularly evident on the great, even classic songs "I'll Never Get Burned" and "So You Look Pon It," both recorded in 1974. They're musically original, harkening back to earlier reggae or even mento. This mento-like, or percussive "folk/country" influence is also noticeable on some of the other songs, adding to an unique sound, which I found very likable throughout this set. Some songs are great, some good or solid, some "just" nice. I am really unable to pick out a bad song: some are maybe simpler or work out earlier than others, such as "One Heart," "Bad To Worse," or "Cherry Pee," but bad? No, I did enjoy also those. The better songs in my opinion are "I'll Never Get Burnt," "So You Look Pon It," "Incessantly," "Let Me Blow My Smoke" (a preferring spliff over coke song, recorded in the mid-1980s), and "It Will Be Alright." A true document to the talent of The Ethiopians/Dillon, as well as an insightful piece of Jamaican music history, including forebodes of the later more common "reuse of riddims" (in this case of a Studio One riddim earlier used by Burning Spear -- the Call On You/The Sun-riddim?). 

- Michel Conci