*GUEST REVIEW*
Mention JA to most folks and they will probably recall reggae, drugs, and street violence. They are hooligans in England, neds in Scotland, but in JA they get the rude boy moniker. Rude boys, like hip hop's gangsters, have been glamorised and oft mentioned in the broad church of reggae. These folks are associated with snappy dressing, rebellion, violence, crime and political feuds. Studio One Rude Boy documents some of the tracks recalling this culture. A variety of sub-genres are covered on this compilation. Early dancehall from Johnny Osbourne, ska from The Wailers, and a selection of roots and rock steady compete with dubs and instrumentals. This album's concept is well researched but it fails slightly due to the lack of coherence. Still, a fine archive of the Studio One vaults.

- ragudave