VA - Rare Grooves Reggae 01-05 by Nova (2003-2007)

16 Rare Reggae Tracks Assembled by the Mavens at the Popular French Radio Station Nova. "Rare Grooves Reggae" Showcases the Minimalism of the Gladiators (From Studio One Times), the Inimitable Voices of Johnny Clarke and Carl Dawkins as Well as Roots Riddims of Linton Kwesi Johnson and Althea and Donna's all Time Hit "Uptown Ranking". As Are all Radio Nova Collections, this One was Put Together with Care and Flows Magnificently.

Let's point out the obvious first; any compilation calling itself Rare Grooves Reggae should not be sporting Black Uhuru's "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," not even the extended disco mix version, which is the one featured here. "Dinner" is not the only number belying the veracity of this set's title, just the best known; Johnny Clarke's scathing "Blood Dunza," Keith Rowe's romantic gem "Groovy Situation," and Scotty's apprehensive "I Worry" are among the tracks easily found elsewhere. But that said, most of the rest are indeed more difficult for fans and collectors to put their hands on. Nevertheless, this is an interesting set that sweeps across the early reggae age, into rockers and roots, ending right at the cusp of the dancehall revolution that began at the turn of the decade. The album is not chronological, but someone spent time and effort on the sequencing, creating a lovely flow to the set's rhythms and moods, resulting in an eclectic compilation that still feels like a "real" album. Not every song here, however, is a winner: there's a good reason the Heptones' "Yesterday" is hard to find -- it wasn't worth buying to begin with, but that's the exception, not the rule for this set. Having introduced the world to "Cocaine," Dillinger, on the same riddim, is just as scintillating when he tries to sell the world "Rockers," while Dennis Alcapone exuberantly celebrates the career of Cassius Clay. Trinity helps free Winston McAnuff, as the singer fights for his independence on "Unchained," but as emotive as he is, no one can deliver a song more soulfully than Ken Boothe, with only the always marvelous Horace Andy giving him a real run for his money. Sylford Walker doesn't have either of their vocal power, but his conviction still rings true on the wonderful "Burn Babylon," while Johnny Clarke's "Burn Dunza" was one of his best. Don Carlos nices up the place with his sweet, lilting "Nice Time," while Keith Rowe creates a more private "Groovy Situation."

And it doesn't get much groovier than the funky sound of the Terrorists' "Guerilla Priest." That truncated number is actually a version of the group's "Love Is Better Now," with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry now handling the vocals in his typically inimitable, inexplicable fashion. From funk to folk songs, Big Jim resurrects the much versioned "Monkey Do." It's quite a musical journey, and although most reggae fans will have trod down some of these avenues before, there's still many less traveled roads within to explore.

By Inventing the Concept of the World Sound System 20 Years Ago, France's Radio Nova Provided Access to the Sounds of Artists from Brazil, Cuba, Africa and of Course Jamaica. At a Time When Reggae Has Just Lost Its Most Famous Representative, Nova Begins Its Exploration Into the Musical Jungle which Hides Behind Bob Marley. From Calypso to Dance Hall, Including Dub and Its Toasters Or Becoming the Carribean Echo of American Soul Music, the Sounds Resonating from the Island have Influenced all of Modern Pop Music, Whether it is Pop, Trip-hop, Jungle Or Techno. Staying Faithful to These Vibes, Nova have Compiled Several Gems and Rarities which have Emerged as a Result of their "Grand Mix" Thru 20 Years of Research. Through These Rarely Compiled Tracks, You Can (Re) Discover Some Classic Gems and Get Caught Up in the Smokey Delirium of Jamaica, the Message Behind the Words and the Different Mixing Techniques.