VA - Greater Jamaica, Moonwalk Reggae & Reggay at Its Best [2018]

REGGAE

VA - Greater Jamaica, Moonwalk Reggae & Reggay at Its Best [2018]

Released in 2018 by Doctor Bird Records, this 2-CD set is a goldmine for fans of vintage Jamaican music, especially those drawn to the transitional period between rocksteady and early reggae. It compiles two ultra-rare albums, Greater Jamaica Moonwalk Reggae and Reggay At Its Best, both originally produced by the legendary Arthur “Duke” Reid, and bolsters them with 38 bonus tracks, many making their CD debut.

The original Reggay At Its Best LP was pressed in limited numbers by Lanarc Records, a Canadian independent label, around late 1969. It’s mostly instrumental and has long been considered a highly prized collector’s item, virtually unavailable in any format until this reissue. Shortly after, Trojan Records released Greater Jamaica Moonwalk Reggae in the UK, featuring vocal cuts from heavyweights like John Holt, Dave Barker, Justin Hinds, and The Ethiopians. Both albums showcase Duke Reid’s early embrace of the reggae sound, with his house band Tommy McCook & The Supersonics laying down tight, soulful grooves.

The expanded edition includes deep cuts like “Moon Invader,” “Drink Milk,” and “Stealing Stealing Volume Two,” alongside rarities from Winston Wright, The Silvertones, The Versatiles, and Radcliffe Ruffin. Even obscure entries like Dorothy Reid’s “Give It To Me” and Jeff Barnes’ “The Rooster” make the cut, adding to the set’s archival value.

For collectors, this release is a dream, remastered, annotated, and packed with tracks that were previously vinyl-only or unreleased. It’s not just a reissue, it’s a restoration of Duke Reid’s early reggae catalog, presented with care and historical context. If you’re building a serious reggae archive, this one earns its shelf space. (B)

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Track lists

CD1

01 John Holt - Stealing Stealing 2:03

02 Dave Barker - Lock Jaw 3:05

03 Winston Wright - Moonlight Groover 2:29

04 Dave Barker - Funkey Funkey Reggae 2:48

05 Ethiopians - Quando Mi Amor 2:47

06 Glen Adams - My Girl 2:44

07 Justin Hines & The Dominoes - Drink Milk 3:01

08 Glen Adams - Only A Smile 3:02

09 Gladiators - You Were to Be 2:56

10 Winston Wright - Stealing, Stealing Volume Two 2:06

11 Winston Wright - Moon Invader 2:53

12 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Last Lick 2:25

13 Sensations - Everyday is Like A Holiday 2:31

14 Winston Wright - Black Coffee 2:41

15 Yard Brooms - My Desire 2:33

16 Silvertones - Intensified Change 2:44

17 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Open Jaw 2:13

18 Versatiles - I Love You, My Baby 2:37

19 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - The Rooster 2:45

20 Radcliffe Ruffin - You Got to Love Me 2:37

21 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Kansas City 2:41

22 Silvertones - Marie 2:54

23 Dorothy Reid - Give it to Me 2:13

24 Ken Parker - I Can't Hide 2:25

25 Vic Taylor - My Heartaches 3:10

26 Justin Hines & The Dominoes - Everywhere I Go 2:42

27 Ethiopians - Allelujah 2:40

28 Coolers - On The Bank 2:16

29 Winston Wright - Moon Invader 2:10

30 Melodians - What More Can I Say 1:59

CD2

01 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Liquidator 2:41

02 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Live Injection 2:31

03 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Doctor No Go 2:30

04 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Tribute to Don 2:20

05 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - The Saint 3:07

06 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Bongo Nyah 2:42

07 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - African Melody 3:09

08 Karl Bryan - Joy Ride 2:57

09 Winston Wright - Zylon 2:41

10 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Progressive Reggay 2:53

11 The Melodians - Everybody Bawling 2:23

12 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Third Figure 2:21

13 The Silvertones - Bluebirds Flying Over 2:50

14 Karl Bryan - Moon Shot 2:36

15 Gladstone Adams - Dollars and Cents 2:43

16 The Melodians - Lonely Days 2:49

17 Winston Wright - Kilowatt 2:42

18 Tyrone Evans - You Done Me Wrong 2:04

19 Danny Simpson - Out of Sight 2:41

20 The Righteous Flames - Ease Me Up Officer 2:02

21 Karl Bryan & The Melodians - Daphney Walking 2:06

22 Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Popcorn Reggay 2:34

23 Tyrone Evans - If This World Were Mine 2:21

24 Vincent Gordon - Memory of Don 2:31

25 The Melodians - Hey Girl 2:27

26 Girl Satchmo - Take You for A Ride 2:48

27 The Gold Tones - Come Look Here 2:09

28 Porky & Noami - Lipstick on Your Collar 2:09

29 Errol Dunkley - I'll Take You in My Arms 2:37

30 Vincent Gordon - Everybody Bawlin 2:12

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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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