Ballistic!, 23 Nov 2007
I too bought the original vinyl over 20 years ago, and recently pulled it out for a listen. Like most of Tubby's work, it still sounds as fresh and wicked today as it did when released. Tommy McCook was one of reggae's seminal hornsmen, and these Bunny Lee riddims showcase his powerful, rhythmic style perfectly. The base lines are some of the deepest ever recorded. Positively seismic! Just wrap up a fat one, put on Sprinkling Dub or Happy Dub,and crank it up.

Osbourne Ruddock may be dead and gone, but King Tubby lives! Long live the King!

quality mid-70s dub from the master, 25 Jun 2007
This release is typical of Trojan's non-compilation product at the moment - an original album from way back when with some relevant additional material. Quality control seems to have improved recently and this CD combines one of the better early(ish) dub albums with some well-chosen bonus tunes decently mastered - one of the bonus tracks previously issued on a Blood & Fire CD sounds considerably better here. The overall theme is horns & dub, with fine examples of both spread across some of Bunny Lee's best flying cymbal rhythms. About half of this is absolutely top notch of its kind, the rest is pretty good. Recommended to both devotees and newcomers.

Dub Genius!!, 17 Jun 2007
I got the original Album some 20 odd years ago and am still amazed by this man's obvious genius. Excellent mixes backed up by vibrant and infectious horn sections. This is ANOTHER Tubby album that makes me feel the pain of his family. Strange coincidence that Tubby was senselessly killed, Like so many other's, by some deluded no mark for next to nothing.

Long Live The Dub Creator, Gone but NEVER FORGOTTEN!

Ballistic!, 23 Nov 2007
I too bought the original vinyl over 20 years ago, and recently pulled it out for a listen. Like most of Tubby's work, it still sounds as fresh and wicked today as it did when released. Tommy McCook was one of reggae's seminal hornsmen, and these Bunny Lee riddims showcase his powerful, rhythmic style perfectly. The base lines are some of the deepest ever recorded. Positively seismic! Just wrap up a fat one, put on Sprinkling Dub or Happy Dub,and crank it up.

Osbourne Ruddock may be dead and gone, but King Tubby lives! Long live the King!

quality mid-70s dub from the master, 25 Jun 2007
This release is typical of Trojan's non-compilation product at the moment - an original album from way back when with some relevant additional material. Quality control seems to have improved recently and this CD combines one of the better early(ish) dub albums with some well-chosen bonus tunes decently mastered - one of the bonus tracks previously issued on a Blood & Fire CD sounds considerably better here. The overall theme is horns & dub, with fine examples of both spread across some of Bunny Lee's best flying cymbal rhythms. About half of this is absolutely top notch of its kind, the rest is pretty good. Recommended to both devotees and newcomers.

Dub Genius!!, 17 Jun 2007
I got the original Album some 20 odd years ago and am still amazed by this man's obvious genius. Excellent mixes backed up by vibrant and infectious horn sections. This is ANOTHER Tubby album that makes me feel the pain of his family. Strange coincidence that Tubby was senselessly killed, Like so many other's, by some deluded no mark for next to nothing.

Long Live The Dub Creator, Gone but NEVER FORGOTTEN!

Roots instrumental classics, 28 May 2006
Tommy McCook (tenor sax) and his friend Bobby Ellis (not McGregor) on trumpet recorded in the 1970s extensively for a host of roots producers and issued rare instrumental albums for Yabby You and Glen Brown. It are these tracks plus an 12'' mix of Riding West (produced by Bunny Lee) that have finally been reissued for the first time on cd. Soloing over established top roots rhythms of both producers both players hit a deep almost spiritual groove. Two classic albums for the price of one, thank you BaF.

Dub Horns Blazing, 18 Mar 2004
Tommy McCook & Freddy MacGregor were 2 of the greatest brass players to blow up a storm in the Windies - their mellifluous and eclectic sound graces many classic reggae albums of the era. The drum & bass sound is timeless and horn afficionados will love their fiery cool mix. The extended playing time of this CD represents excellent value, collecting rare vinyl sounds from the 70s together onto a silver disc. Part dub, part dancehall, part roots, but always superbly melodic, this is a vintage compilation that'll burn your socks off and blow you away. Recommended!

Ballistic!, 23 Nov 2007
I too bought the original vinyl over 20 years ago, and recently pulled it out for a listen. Like most of Tubby's work, it still sounds as fresh and wicked today as it did when released. Tommy McCook was one of reggae's seminal hornsmen, and these Bunny Lee riddims showcase his powerful, rhythmic style perfectly. The base lines are some of the deepest ever recorded. Positively seismic! Just wrap up a fat one, put on Sprinkling Dub or Happy Dub,and crank it up.

Osbourne Ruddock may be dead and gone, but King Tubby lives! Long live the King!

quality mid-70s dub from the master, 25 Jun 2007
This release is typical of Trojan's non-compilation product at the moment - an original album from way back when with some relevant additional material. Quality control seems to have improved recently and this CD combines one of the better early(ish) dub albums with some well-chosen bonus tunes decently mastered - one of the bonus tracks previously issued on a Blood & Fire CD sounds considerably better here. The overall theme is horns & dub, with fine examples of both spread across some of Bunny Lee's best flying cymbal rhythms. About half of this is absolutely top notch of its kind, the rest is pretty good. Recommended to both devotees and newcomers.

Dub Genius!!, 17 Jun 2007
I got the original Album some 20 odd years ago and am still amazed by this man's obvious genius. Excellent mixes backed up by vibrant and infectious horn sections. This is ANOTHER Tubby album that makes me feel the pain of his family. Strange coincidence that Tubby was senselessly killed, Like so many other's, by some deluded no mark for next to nothing.

Long Live The Dub Creator, Gone but NEVER FORGOTTEN!

Roots instrumental classics, 28 May 2006
Tommy McCook (tenor sax) and his friend Bobby Ellis (not McGregor) on trumpet recorded in the 1970s extensively for a host of roots producers and issued rare instrumental albums for Yabby You and Glen Brown. It are these tracks plus an 12'' mix of Riding West (produced by Bunny Lee) that have finally been reissued for the first time on cd. Soloing over established top roots rhythms of both producers both players hit a deep almost spiritual groove. Two classic albums for the price of one, thank you BaF.

Dub Horns Blazing, 18 Mar 2004
Tommy McCook & Freddy MacGregor were 2 of the greatest brass players to blow up a storm in the Windies - their mellifluous and eclectic sound graces many classic reggae albums of the era. The drum & bass sound is timeless and horn afficionados will love their fiery cool mix. The extended playing time of this CD represents excellent value, collecting rare vinyl sounds from the 70s together onto a silver disc. Part dub, part dancehall, part roots, but always superbly melodic, this is a vintage compilation that'll burn your socks off and blow you away. Recommended!

Great ska some jazz, 16 Nov 2007
This tribute to the great Tommy McCook focuses on his early 1960s Studio One recordings with the (pre)Skatalites. Famous tracks like Exodus, Latin go ska, Goldfinger and Peanut vendor exemply the great knack of ska to adopt foreign songs into something so genuinely Jamaican. Freedom sounds and Wheel and turn are other great ska stompers. At the end the compiler has added a few jazz recordings by Tommy and some Skatalites that, though historically correct, are only mildly interesting and spoil the fun of the great ska preceding them.