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Roy Shirley – Music is the key – The Anthology 1967 - 1975

Released on 8 September 2003.

As the label blurb eludes too below Roy Shirley is much overlooked. I have to say that this was the case with me too. I knew of, and knew some but the depth of knowledge was not there. So what happens – he is either overlooked because he wasn't good enough to make or he was a hidden gem that really should have gained more prominence. I must say that he would appear to be the latter.

This is a most enjoyable and refreshing set, there are some cracking tracks. It probably lacks the refinement (if such a thing existed in 60's and 70's Jamaica) and polish, some of the tracks do sound little more than demo cuts. However there is an underlying joyous melodic feel to the whole thing, a freshness, that only the best rocksteady can bring.

Hold them is probably the best known and it is altogether a wicked cut and rhythm, out of Joe Gibbs, the birth of Rocksteady indeed. Out of Bunny Lee in the same year is a wonderful Thank you, strained vocals and awesome rhythm. On Touch them the vocal is stronger more polished yet distinctive, soulful rocksteady. This style continues through tracks like Rolling Rolling, Keep your eyes on the road and Girlie. Indeed there is little to choose from this prolific Bunny Lee period into 1968. Clearly soul influenced but a sweeter Jamaican delivery than the US Southern Soul counterparts, yet retaining that harder gospelly edge.

Moving to JJ Johnson when the reggae beat was emerging the vocals tending to be a bit lost in the new rhythms and Roy eventually started to produce hisself. The vocals became more prominent but the rhythms weren't quite so memorable save for a few exceptions like Flying Reggae and On Board (aka Ethiopians). However that didn't matter too much as also hidden away were deep soul, Toussaint Mccall like, opuses like My Bride. On Board is a great track and this alternative take comes from Roy's own archives. Be Wise is also such a gem coming from the slow soul side of things.

There is also unreleased material, and such was Roy's vocal versatility as wonderful sweet soul voiced gem is Don't be afraid of the dark.

As we ease through the years to 1975 the prolificness subsides but the quality remains and on show are some interesting studio cuts,like who God Bless. More Black Love is a pleading quality soulful rendition.........and the quality rhythm Sugar from which came many a version.

Questions will always remain is to why or why not did Roy not break through big time. Maybe it was the markets or maybe it was the fact that he was producing himself, and didn't get the 'marketing' that was warranted or deserved. It is understandable why this route was taken after being stung in the early days but maybe.........

Some great stuff and well worth getting.

Compiled and annotated by noted Jamaican music writer David Katz, Music Is The Key brings together 40 hits, misses and rarities from a ten-year period. Featured on the set are the singer's most sought after Rocksteady sides for Bunny Lee, Joe Gibbs and J.J. Johnson, alongside many Reggae rarities from Shirley's own tape archive. Quite simply, there has never been a finer introduction to the works of this much over-looked giant of Jamaican music.

Tracklisting

  2-CD SET -

  Music Is The Key -

  Thank You -

  Touch Them (Never Let Them Go) (Take 1) -

  Move All Day -

  Rolling Rolling -

  Girlie -

  Keep Your Eyes On The Road -

  Good Is Better Than Bad -

  Fantastic Lover -

  If I Did Know -

  Good Ambition -

  Dance The Reggae -

  Life -

  I Like Your Smile -

  Bright Life (aka Think About The Future) -

  Golden Festival -

  My Bride -

  Flying Reggay (& The Mighty Vikings) -

  Prophecy Fulfilling (& The Mighty Vikings) -

  DISC 2: -

  on Board (aka Ethiopians) (& The Upsetters) -

  Don't Do That (& The Upsetters) -

  Be Wise (& The Upsetters) -

  Don't Be Afraid (Of The Dark) (aka When You're Young) -

  Dance Of Love (Takes 1 & 2) (& The Upsetters) -

  Who God Bless No Man Curse (Takes 1 & 2) -

  More Black Love -

  Wonderful People -

  Jamaican Girls -

  A Sugar -

  Prayer From The Priest (Part 1) -

  Pretty Brown Eyes -

  When You Are Young (aka Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark) (1973 Version) -

  Melody Street -

  Tell You -

  Heartbreaking Gypsy -

  Bubble Up -

  Rasta Love (Is The Greatest Love) -

  You Don't Know (I Love You) -











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