Aston 'Family Man' Barrett & The Wailers Band - Soul Constitution: Instrumentals & Dubs 1971 - 1982 (Dub Store Records)

The vast majority of the songs in the track list are original compositions, but every so often Family Man revisits a classic. 'Distant Drums' and 'Distant Drums Version' are versions of Yabby You's 'Love Thy Neighbour', and 'Tribute To Y Mas Gan', is, as the title suggests, an instrumental version of the well-known Abysinnians classic. Other highlights include soulful opener 'Soul Constitution', the excellent 'Family Man Skank', 'Cobra Style' and the disco mix of 'Well Pleased' featuring Vin Gordon's trombone in a leading role. Gordon is far from the only well-known musician who contributed to these tracks, as greats like Herman Marquis - clarinet, 'Deadly' Headley Bennett and Glen DaCosta - saxophone, David Madden and Bobby Ellis - trumpet, Tyrone Downie - piano, Earl 'Wire' Lindo - keyboards, Carlton 'Carly' Barrett and Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace - drums and Bongo Herman - percussion, all pitched in as well. Excellent compilation and finally some financial justice for this iconic bassist, who in 2006 still lost a lawsuit demanding his share of the royalties to the Marley-songs he'd collaborated on.