Crucial Reggae - Driven By Sly & Robbie

Crucial Reggae: Driven By Sly & Robbie

Crucial Reggae: Driven By Sly & Robbie is a 1982 Island Records compilation bringing together twelve Jamaican recordings built around the extraordinary rhythm section of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. Issued on the Taxi/Island label network, the album showcases the pair's distinctive combination of deep bass, tight drumming and inventive studio production, with contributions from some of the leading reggae and dancehall voices of the period. The original UK LP was issued as ILPS 9730.

The collection ranges from roots-influenced material to the emerging early-1980s dancehall sound, opening with Errol "Flabba" Holt's "Danger Zone" before moving through the Rolands' "Johnny Dollar", Derrick Lara's "Peek A Boo" and Bobby Floyd's "Love Without Feeling". Sly & Robbie's role is central throughout, with the duo either producing or providing the instrumental foundation for the tracks, creating the characteristic Taxi sound that was becoming increasingly influential at the beginning of the 1980s.

The second side contains some particularly recognisable material. The Mighty Diamonds' "Pass The Kouchie" became one of the best-known songs associated with the rhythm, later providing the musical basis for Musical Youth's international hit "Pass The Dutchie". Dennis Brown contributes "Hold On To What You Got", while Jimmy Riley's "Sexual Healing" gives the collection another memorable vocal performance.

The closing tracks demonstrate the breadth of the compilation, from Sly Dunbar's instrumental "Unmetered Taxi" to George Nooks' "We're In This Love Together" and Yellowman's "Soldier Take Over". Yellowman's recording dates from the early dancehall period and was recorded at Channel One with Sly & Robbie among the musicians; it was released as a single before appearing on Crucial Reggae.

The recordings largely come from the late 1970s and early 1980s, reflecting the transition from roots reggae towards the harder, rhythm-led dancehall style that was emerging in Jamaica. As a snapshot of the Taxi sound and Sly & Robbie's work during this crucial period, this is an excellent collection for fans of classic reggae, early dancehall, dub and Jamaican studio musicianship. Contemporary Record Mirror described it as a compilation broadening the Taxi sound with material from other Jamaican producers while retaining Sly & Robbie's instrumental presence.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Errol "Flabba" Holt – Danger Zone
2. The Rolands – Johnny Dollar
3. Derrick Lara – Peek A Boo
4. Bobby Floyd – Love Without Feeling
5. Carlton Livingstone – Chalice In Hand
6. Junior Tamlins – Real Love

Side B

1. The Mighty Diamonds – Pass The Kouchie
2. Dennis Brown – Hold On To What You Got
3. Jimmy Riley – Sexual Healing
4. Sly Dunbar – Unmetered Taxi
5. George Nooks – We're In This Love Together
6. Yellowman – Soldier Take Over