
One of Fantastic Voyage Records most successful compilation series is their thorough look at the music popular in Jamaica from the forties through to the early 60s. The aim of the series is to dig out the sounds that were played out on the great Jamaican sound systems – the music, in effect, that shaped reggae and ska.
The series’ fourth volume ‘It’s Jamaica. Jump Blues Time! Jamaican Sound System Classics 1941-1962’ has just been released and like the previous 3 sets, this collection contains three CDs with a massive 84 tracks of vintage US R&B … the music so popular in Jamaica in this period.
As ever the collection offers music from some of the genre’s biggest names – people like Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, Louis Prima, Lowell Fulson and Louis Jordan. Plenty too from the not so well known – magical music from long lost names… Paul Gayton, The Frantics, The Five Thrills, Tab Smith and Joe Fritz amongst them.
Sure to interest soul collectors are early tracks from King Curtis (‘Tenor In The Sky’) and Ernie K Doe (”Taint It The Truth’) and great to have a tune from King Pleasure – an unsung hero of R&B. His contribution is the swinging ‘Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid’ – a big influence on a certain Georgie Fame.
‘It’s Jamaica. Jump Blues Time! Jamaican Sound System Classics 1941-1962’ is out now on Fantastic Voyage Records.