#6: Ini Kamoze - Ini Kamoze (1983)

 

I'm not a real big fan of Ini Kamoze's work after this, but this album he cut with Sly & Robbie is sick. Honestly, just about anyone could have laid some vocals over these rhythms and the record would still be hot, but the youthful Kamoze lays down the perfect vocal for this session and vaults the album into one of the greatest ever recorded. Only 6 songs with lots of jamming and the familiar, heavy Sly & Robbie bass and drum.The greatest of the latest that reggae had to offer before digital dancehall ruined the party...for me at least.

Get it over at Global Groove.

#7: Keith Hudson - Flesh of My Skin, Blood of My Blood (1974)

The darkest of dark roots that reggae has to offer. Not one to put on at a party. Rather, wait until all but a few of your guests go home, dim the lights, light some candles and a spliff and take the trip. A socio-political black [Jamaican] album, an indictment on colonial culture, a call to arms and revolution to blacks delivered with some great, great rhythms. Check the swamp-drenched understated funk rhythms of "Darkest Night", "Talk Some Sense" and the dub "My Nocturne". One of the top ranking, most unique reggae albums from one of its most under-appreciated talents.

Link to Flesh of My Skin, Blood of My Blood 

#8: Sugar Minott - At Studio One (197x)

 

Sugar Minott had the sweetest voice in reggae. He was given the best of the best rhythms from Coxsone Dodd's Studio One and makes good on each and every one. It's truly sickening how many classic songs there are here. It does, however, get docked a few notches to #8 by virtue of being a collection. Otherwise, the selections here are pretty much unsurpassed.

Link to Sugar Minott at Studio One

As always with proper releases, buy it if you like it. This one is available through Soul Jazz Records.