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This interesting and generally quite valuable 24-track collection pays richly deserved tribute to Theophilus Beckford, a keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and producer who exerted a significant influence on the development of ska and rocksteady in 1960s Jamaica. His name is not as famous among modern audiences as those of Coxsone Dodd or Lloyd Daley, but his heavily blues and R&B-based songs were very popular in Kingston and his studio and instrumental skills were in heavy demand. The best tracks on this compilation are, in fact, those that feature Beckford himself singing his own compositions in a smooth, refined style -- note in particular the gently sung but lyrically brutal "Mr. Down Pressor," a not very subtle stab at Beckford's former boss, Coxsone Dodd. Other fine tracks include "Old Flame," which features the vocal talents of one Frederick Hibbert (who would later perform under the name Toots, as leader of the Maytals) and two early tracks by Basil Gabbidon (who would later be one of the founding members of the legendary British reggae band Steel Pulse). Less inspiring are the harmonica stylings of Charlie Organaire and two rather amateurish efforts by the Charmers. Taken as a whole, though, this is an enjoyable and valuable document of the work of one of reggae's forgotten heroes.
© Rick Anderson /TiVo
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The Charmers, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
The Charmers, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Frederick Hibbert, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Charlie Organaire, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Winston Samuels, Performance, MainArtist - Theo Beckford, Composer
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Winston Samuels, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Annette Clarke, Performance, MainArtist - Shenley Duffus, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Theo Beckford, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Karl Walker, MainArtist - Karl Walker., Performance
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Lloyd Clarke, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Lloyd Clarke, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Karl Walker, MainArtist - Karl Walker., Performance
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Lloyd Clarke, Composer, Writer, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Basil Gabbidon, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Basil Gabbidon, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Theo Beckford, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Charlie Organaire, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Theo Beckford, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Theo Beckford, MainArtist - The Pioneer All Stars, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Theo Beckford, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Theo Beckford, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Theo Beckford, MainArtist - The Pioneer All Stars, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Shenley Duffus, Performance, MainArtist
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Karl Walker, MainArtist - The Pioneer All Stars, MainArtist - Karl Walker., Vocals
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1962 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Album review
This interesting and generally quite valuable 24-track collection pays richly deserved tribute to Theophilus Beckford, a keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and producer who exerted a significant influence on the development of ska and rocksteady in 1960s Jamaica. His name is not as famous among modern audiences as those of Coxsone Dodd or Lloyd Daley, but his heavily blues and R&B-based songs were very popular in Kingston and his studio and instrumental skills were in heavy demand. The best tracks on this compilation are, in fact, those that feature Beckford himself singing his own compositions in a smooth, refined style -- note in particular the gently sung but lyrically brutal "Mr. Down Pressor," a not very subtle stab at Beckford's former boss, Coxsone Dodd. Other fine tracks include "Old Flame," which features the vocal talents of one Frederick Hibbert (who would later perform under the name Toots, as leader of the Maytals) and two early tracks by Basil Gabbidon (who would later be one of the founding members of the legendary British reggae band Steel Pulse). Less inspiring are the harmonica stylings of Charlie Organaire and two rather amateurish efforts by the Charmers. Taken as a whole, though, this is an enjoyable and valuable document of the work of one of reggae's forgotten heroes.
© Rick Anderson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 24 track(s)
- Total length: 00:59:57
- Main artist: Various Artists
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Trojan Records
- Genre: Reggae
© 2004 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 2004 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
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