Kingston All Stars - Presenting Kingston All Stars (Roots & Wire Records)

In any case, the lineup of this supergroup set up by Canadian producer, sound engineer and musician Moss Raxlen (see also the documentary 'Rocksteady: The Roots Of Reggae') looks impressive: behind the drums we find none other than Sly Dunbar, bassist Jackie Jackson was already active as a member of the Supersonics when the rocksteady still reigned supreme in Jamaica, but really made a name for himself as a member of Beverley's All Stars, guitarist Hux Brown also played with those same Beverley's All Stars, guitarist Mikey 'Mao' Chung needs no introduction and the same goes for keyboardists Robbie Lyn and Ansel Collins. Add to that guest vocalists like Cedric 'Congo' Myton ('My Father's House') and Prince Alla ('Man On Board', our absolute favorite on the album, 'Jah Made It All') and you'll get nothing short of instant classics. That being said, we shouldn't forget to mention excellent instrumentals like opener 'Tribute To Kebra Hi-Fi', 'Swing Back' or the funky 'Coasting', and the otherwise unknown Allen Jahsana, a rasta elder introduced to the project by Mikey Chung, in 'Rudeboy Wail' sounding like a brother of the late Gregory Isaacs, is a revelation. Fun project!