Track Listing

1. Christmas Stylee - Johnny Osbourne
2. Christmas in Jamaica - Brenton Dowe
3. Christmas Coming - Alton Ellis
4. Hi Fashion Christmas
5. Sound the Trumpet - Bob Marley, The Wailers
6. Jingle Bells - Ray Brown Trio
7. Little Drummer Boy - Ray Brown Trio
8. Fashion Christmas - Brentford All Stars, ,
9. Christmas Time Is Here - The Heptones
10. White Christmas - Dobby Dobson
11. Irie Christmas - Freddie McGregor
12. Real Christmas Rock

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #146476 in Music
• Released on: 1992-11-10
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
The Studio One family, led by Clement Coxone Dodd, is known for putting out crucial rhythm tracks that have stood the test of time. Reggae Christmas from Studio One is a good collection of vintage tunes that lyrically sing to seasonal themes. The Johnny Osborne and Freddy McGregor tracks are outstanding, as is the Heptone's tune. The Wailers' song is in a solid old vocal-harmony style. Some lesser-known singers carry the bulk of this recording to varying degrees of success. All of the music here features that dub-wise production Coxone is so famous for. Check this one out for an Iree rub-a-dub Christmas vibe. --Jeff Grubb

Customer Reviews

surprisingly good
So you don't think about palm trees and tropical beaches when Christmas comes to your mind? Okay, "Reggae Christmas from Studio One" isn't the place to begin building a traditional collection of Holiday music. On the other hand, if you're looking for something out of the mainstream, you've found it. This may be because you already have all of the Holiday albums by Elvis and Nat King Cole or perhaps you love Jamaican music. Regardless, this is a wonderful collection of Holiday music that seems to have languished under the radar. For starters, this music is from Studio One, so it is accompanied with a pedigree. For the uninitiated, Studio One is regarded as 'the Motown of Jamaica.' Second, the song choice is solid. The songs reflect both traditional and original songs for December. (In case you just have to ask, yes Bob Marley is on this compilation.) Third, the sound or time period is perfect. Contemporary music from Jamaica has been spoiled by the inclusion of modern pop and R&B. "Reggae Christmas from Studio One" plays vintage music. Most of the songs sound like they were recorded sometime between the late 1950's and the mid 1970's. There's a good balance of ska, reggae and dub. If there's a drawback to this CD, it's that the playing length could have been longer. Granted, Jamaican Christmas music may sound like a terrible idea. Furthermore, don't even look at the cornball CD cover. Considering these factors, this disc may be an unexpected surprise. Unless the listener hates Rastafarian music or requires the traditional songbook, "Reggae Christmas from Studio One" is a great collection of Holiday music.

best christmas album ever!
Generally I can't stand christmas music. The classics can all be put to rest in my opinion. My Christmas will definately me merrier now that I found the reggae christmas!