Various Artists: The Down Town Albums Collection - 4 Original Albums on 2CDs

3 of the 4 albums featured new to CD

Release coincides with 2019’s Spirit of 69
celebrations

Includes numerous tracks new to CD

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!

DISC ONE: RED RED WINE
1. RED RED WINE - Tony Tribe
2. GAMES PEOPLE PLAY - The Israelites
3. MOVE YOUR MULE - Dandy
4. I'M YOUR PUPPET - Dandy
5. LEAD THEM – DESMOND RILEY -
6. LOVE ME TONIGHT - Audrey
7. REGGAE IN YOUR JEGGAE - Dandy
8. LOVERS CONCERTO - Audrey
9. SENTIMENTAL REASONS - Gene Rondo
10. NIGHT TRAIN - Sonny Binns & The Rudies
11. YOU'LL LOSE A GOOD THING - Audrey
12. LOVERS QUESTION - Gene Rondo

RED RED WINE VOLUME TWO
13. SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER - Audrey
14. GOT TO COME BACK - Dandy
15. SOMEBODY'S BABY - Desmond Riley
16. SPREADING LOVE - Gene Rondo
17. I'M GONNA GIVE HER ALL THE LOVE I'VE GOT - Tony Tribe
18. RRAINING IN MY HEART - Dandy
19. CAN'T GET USED TO LOSING YOU - Dandy
20. SONG BIRD - – Lyndon Johns
21. THE BOY I LOVE - Blossom Johnson
22. THE WAY YOU MOVE - Audrey
23. PARTY RUSH - The Music Doctors
24. DON'T GAMBLE WITH LOVE - Lyndon Johns
25. COME TOGETHER - The Israelites

BONUS TRACK
26. REGGAE SHUFFLE - Dandy

DISC TWO: RICO & THE RUDIES - BLOW YOUR HORN
1. RECO'S MESSAGE - Rico & The Rudies
2. NIYAH MAN - Rico & The Rudies
3. JUMPING THE GUN - Rico & The Rudies
4. THE LION - Dandy
5. CARIBBEAN SERENADE - Rico & The Rudies
6. MIGHTY DAN - Rico & The Rudies
7. QUANDO QUANDO - Rico & The Rudies
8. SESSION MAN - Rico & The Rudies
9. DOCTOR SURE SHOT - Dandy & The Israelites
10. MUMA MUMA - Dandy & The Israelites
11. BIAFRA - Rico & The Rudies

DANDY - YOUR MUSICAL DOCTOR
12. HERE I GO AGAIN - Dandy
13. I’M GONNA GIVE HER ALL THE LOVE I’VE GOT - Dandy
14. RUN GIRL - Dandy
15. DOCTOR AT WORK - Dandy
16. RUNNING WILD – DANDY - Dandy
17. MEETING OVER YONDER - Dandy
18. VOICING OUR CHOICE - Dandy
19. EVERYBODY LOVES A WINNER - Dandy
20. MUSIC DOCTOR - Dandy
21. GUMPTION FEELING - Dandy
22. TOUCH OF POISON - Dandy
23. COME ON HOME - Dandy

BONUS TRACKS
24. WON’T YOU COME HOME NOW - Dandy
25. BLUES - Rico Rodriguez & The Rudies