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THE VOLCANO DANCEHALL ALBUMS | 2CD set coming soon on Doctor Bird…

4 essential early dancehall albums.
Most recordings unavailable on any format for decades.
Features three superstars of the original dancehall era.

As the 1970s drew to a close, Jamaican music underwent one of its periodical stylistic shifts, with the roots sound that had found favour with reggae audiences throughout much of the decade supplanted by a brasher less ethereal style that soon came to be known as ‘dancehall’. One of the most overlooked genres in the island’s rich musical history, dancehall mixed hard- edged elements of roots and dub with the goodtime upbeat vibes of 60s ska, rock steady and early reggae, with its development providing a badly needed injection of excitement into the nation’s music scene.

Arguably the most influential Kingston-based music maker from this time was Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes, who launched his career as an independent record producer in 1978, having previously made his mark working alongside Linval Thompson. After seeing his work released on a number of Jamaican music labels, he achieved his first major success the following year, with such hit singles as ‘Bounty Hunter’, ‘Shine Eye Gal’ and ‘Looking My Love’, performed by up-and-coming singer-songwriter Barrington Levy. Soon after, Lawes produced the singer’s debut album, ‘Bounty Hunter’ - released on Hyman Wright’s Hi Life label – the popularity of which further cemented the reputations of both men.

Over the years that immediately followed, Lawes demonstrated his mastery of the dancehall sound by producing a series of best-selling singles and albums on his Volcano and Jah Guidance and Arrival labels, while his determination to remain a key player on the local scene was demonstrated by the formation of his venerated Volcano sound system. Among the many newcomers with whom he worked during this period were youthful DJs Charlie Chaplin and Cocoa Tea, whose associations with the producer spawned such dancehall classics as ‘Rocking Dolly’, ‘I’ve Lost My Sonia’, ‘Hey Youthman’, ‘International Robbery’ and ‘Yankee’Skank’, all of which were included across a trio of popular long-players: ‘Weh Dem A Go Down’, ‘Sound System’ and ‘Dancehall Rockers’.

This long overdue collection, which brings together Barrington Levy’s breakthrough album along with the above Cocoa Tea and Charlie Chaplin collections and a handful of rare bonus tracks, provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy original Jamaican dancehall at its very best, produced and performed by some of its finest talents.