REGGEA
VA - Spirit Of '69. The Trojan Albums Collection [2019] (5 x CDs)
Released in 2019 by Trojan Records, The Trojan Albums Collection is a 5CD box set that digs deep into the roots of UK reggae during its most explosive era. It’s a tribute to the sound that defined the skinhead subculture and marked reggae’s breakthrough in Britain, timed to celebrate Trojan’s 50th anniversary.
Each disc replicates the original LP artwork and label design, and the set includes a 16-page booklet with liner notes, vintage photos, and historical context. The mastering was handled by Andy Pearce, with production overseen by Laurence Cane-Honeysett and Max Norlin, ensuring the sound stays true to its gritty, analog origins.
Included in this box are the following:
Lloyd Charmers - Reggae Is Tight. A funky, soulful blend of originals and covers, including “Crimson and Clover,” “Psychedelic Reggae,” and the Booker T-inspired title track “Reggae Is Tight.” Charmers’ smooth vocals and keyboard work shine throughout.
VA - Jackpot Of Hits. A showcase of producer Joe Gibbs’ studio magic, featuring The Pioneers, Stranger Cole, Lyn Taitt & The Jets, and Ansel Collins. Tracks like “Jackpot,” “Catch The Beat,” and “Train To Soulsville” are pure dancefloor dynamite.
Owen Gray - Reggae With Soul. Gray’s silky voice glides through soul-inflected reggae cuts like “Too Experienced,” “Any Day Now,” and “Do You Wanna Dance.” It’s a reminder of his status as one of Jamaica’s foundational vocalists.
Hippy Boys - Reggae With The Hippy Boys. Instrumental gold from the band that backed countless Studio One sessions. “Moon Walk,” “Mad Movie,” and “Reggae Pressure” are tight, funky, and loaded with groove.
Dynamites - Fire Corner. Featuring DJ legend King Stitt, this album blends his proto-toasting on “Fire Corner” and “Vigorton Two” with killer instrumentals like “Sam-Fie” and “John Public.”
These albums were once near-impossible to find outside collector circles. This box restores a crucial chapter in reggae history, when Trojan Records helped turn Kingston’s street sound into a UK cultural force. Mastering was handled by Andy Pearce, and the set was produced by Laurence Cane-Honeysett and Max Norlin. It’s a collector’s dream, reissuing albums that were once only available to die-hard fans and skinhead reggae devotees. (B)
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Track lists
CD1
01 Lloyd Chalmers - 5 to 5 3:15
02 Lloyd Chalmers - Follow This Sound 2:35
03 Lloyd Chalmers - Golden Moon 2:53
04 Lloyd Chalmers - Higher Heights 2:36
05 Lloyd Chalmers - Psychedelic Reggae 2:35
06 Lloyd Chalmers - Summer Face 2:17
07 Lloyd Chalmers - Crimson and Clover 2:52
08 Lloyd Chalmers - Rat Trap 2:49
09 Lloyd Chalmers - Everybody Needs Love 2:23
10 Lloyd Chalmers - Safari 2:54
11 Lloyd Chalmers - Reggae is Tight 2:38
12 Lloyd Chalmers - Strangler 2:50
CD2
01 Pioneers - Jackpot 3:07
02 Mellowtones - Feel Good 2:47
03 Pioneers - Give Me A Little Loving 2:40
04 Pioneers - No Dope Me Pony 2:09
05 Conquerors - Secret Weapon 2:42
06 Lynn Taitt and The Jets - El Casino Royale 2:40
07 Stranger Cole - What Moma No Want She Get 1:41
08 Pioneers - Catch The Beat 2:39
09 Hugh Malcolm - Good Time Rock 2:17
10 Stranger Cole and Glady - Just Like A River 2:27
11 Crashers - Hurry Come Up 2:15
12 Cool Sticky - Train to Soulville 2:44
CD3
01 Owen Gray - Too Experienced 3:30
02 Owen Gray - You Call My Name 2:13
03 Owen Gray - Mr Sun 3:27
04 Owen Gray - Seven Lonely Days 3:10
05 Owen Gray - There'll Be No Ending 3:20
06 Owen Gray - Any Day Now 2:44
07 Owen Gray - I Can't Stop Loving You 4:44
08 Owen Gray - I've Got to Get Back 2:48
09 Owen Gray - Say You Will 4:23
10 Owen Gray - I Know She Loves Me 3:36
11 Owen Gray - Do You Wanna Dance 2:43
12 Owen Gray - I'm Gone 3:30
CD4
01 Hippy Boys - Nurse J'kel 3:20
02 Hippy Boys - This is It 3:14
03 Hippy Boys - Mad Movie 3:28
04 Hippy Boys - Capo 3:18
05 Hippy Boys - Foot Work 2:55
06 Hippy Boys - Seven Heaven 3:33
07 Hippy Boys - Moon Walk 3:37
08 Hippy Boys - Challenge 3:36
09 Hippy Boys - Spicy 2:54
10 Hippy Boys - Wondering 3:16
CD5
01 Dynamites - Eternally 3:07
02 Dynamites - Sam-Fie 2:26
03 Dynamites - I Did It 2:48
04 Dynamites - This is The Night 2:05
05 Dynamites - One Way Street 2:42
06 Dynamites - John Public 2:12
07 Dynamites - Skokiaan (Mr. Midnight) 2:45
08 Dynamites - Soul Language 2:29
09 Dynamites - Say What You Say 1:57
10 Dynamites - Vigorton Two 3:15
11 Dynamites - Next Corner 2:42
12 Dynamites - Fire Corner 2:52
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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.
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Thank you so much BB, my thought was that I have this but I can't find them all. This will fill in the gaps. What a great selection and a wasn't it a great time. I live for this stuff!
ReplyDeleteThank you, lemonflag.
DeleteI know how it feels to have fragments of a cherished set scattered across drives and shelves, so I’m thrilled this helped reconnect the pieces. Spirit of ’69 really was a golden moment, full of grit, groove, and cultural fire. If you live for this stuff, then we’re absolutely kindred souls.
Cheers.