The Heat Is On (Charly, 1998)

A welcome collection of good old-fashioned roots, combining well-known hits like Toots & The Maytals' "Bam Bam," Michael Prophet's "The Gun Man" (AKA "Gunman"), and Dennis Brown's "Blood Sun," with sweet rarities like Hell and Fire & Trinity's "Crying in the Ghetto," Roman Stewart's "Don't Get Jumpy," and Mike Brooks & Trinity's "My Guiding Star and Pleated Skirt."  Thus, it's an enjoyable album for novice and experienced listeners alike -- maybe more for the latter. Particularly enjoyable are Delroy Wilson's "Never Will Conquer Me" (of which a great DJ version entitled "Lorna Banana" was later done by Dennis Alcapone and Prince Jazzbo -- see History of Trojan Records Volume 2 1972-1995), Toots & The Maytals' "Pomp and Pride," Freddy McKay's "How Can I?,"  Hopeton Lewis' classic bubbly "Grooving Out on Life," and Cornell Campbell's wicked, funky early dancehall jam "Follow Instructions," which is one of the best songs I've heard in this legendary singer's storied career.  Covering music from 1966 to 1984, this compilation paints the history (select as it is) of true roots rockin' reggae with a broad, invigorating stroke.