This Is Reggae Music

Very smart clean double album housed in a gatefold cover.

Taking stock of Mango's '70s heyday with reggae music, this label roundup works quite well as an introduction for the uninitiated. The focus is mostly on the roots period of the music over the course of the 27 tracks here, with the hits taking up more room then the somewhat obscure cuts. Reflecting the label's way with big names, the album includes highlights by such island stars as Bob Marley, Third World, the Heptones, Burning Spear, Max Romeo, Toots & the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, and Bunny Wailer. And, on the relatively more left-field end, we have Dillinger, George Faith, Rico, and Junior Murvin. A solid compilation.