Various Artists - The Down Town Albums Collection (2019)

After embarking on a career as a singer in the early 1960s, Robert Thompson aka Dandy achieved significant success on the British music scene with a series of popular ska and rock steady singles.

In the summer of 1968, he proved instrumental in the launch of Trojan Records, which later in the year granted the budding singer-songwriter-producer his own Down Town subsidiary on which to showcase his work. The company’s faith in Dandy’s creative talents was promptly rewarded when he provided them with two of their earliest big sellers: ‘Reggae In Your Jeggae’ and Trojan’s first official UK pop chart entry, ‘Red Red Wine’ by Tony Tribe.

Soon after, an LP of the same title was compiled and released, with the collection comprising the hit, alongside another 11 Dandy produced tracks, lifted from his most popular Down Town singles to date. The album remained a best seller for Trojan well into 1970, when the company issued the similarly compiled “Red Red Wine Volume 2”, which like its predecessor proved hugely popular among UK reggae fans.
Meanwhile, Dandy’s work ethos was reflected in the release of an array of further 7” singles and another two long players: “Blow Your Horn” – a set that largely showcasing the talents of ace trombonist Rico Rodriquez and top British reggae act, the Rudies – and “Your Musical Doctor” throughout which Dandy’s own vocals took centre stage.

Now, at long last, all four of these historically important albums have been gathered onto this superb two-disc set, with all but “Blow Your Horn” making their CD debut. The result is a timely celebration of the original boss reggae style championed by first generation skinheads half a century ago!