Drum Sound: More Gems from the Channel One Dub Room, 1974 - 1980

The U.K.-based imprint Pressure Sounds has made something of a cottage industry out of reissuing the output of Jamaica’s legendary Channel One studio, which was home to one of the island's most formidable house bands, The Revolutionaries. That crack outfit was led by the indefatigable rhythm section of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare. Where previous collections have focused on the singers and DJs who recorded at Channel One—or on the most famous dub versions to emerge from the studio—Drum Sound is a collection of rarities, some of which are seeing official release for the very first time. The version of “Kunte Kinte” that opens this set, for example, was taken from a rare dub plate owned by the legendary Jah Shaka. Some of the other cuts here are nearly as rare. All are distinguished by the impeccable instrumental work of Sly & Robbie, whose inimitable musical interplay helped set Channel One apart as one of the roots era's most formidable studios.