Audio Remasterer: Chris "Chrisman" Scott.

Liner Note Authors: David Katz; Steve Barrow.

It would probably be an exaggeration to say that the history of Randy's is the history of reggae music, but it wouldn't be a huge one. Founded in 1958 by Vincent Chin and his wife Patricia, Randy's pioneered what would soon become a standard Kingston enterprise: a combination record store, recording studio, label, and distribution service, a company which would eventually evolve into the still-market-dominant VP label. Randy's jumped on the reggae train before reggae even existed; this generously packed, two-disc retrospective documents both classic calypso and early ska recordings before moving through the rocksteady era at the end of the first disc and picking up with the beginning of the roots reggae period on the second. The total timespan covers 1960 through 1976, and featured artists include the great calypsonian Lord Creator, Baba Brooks, the Skatalites, Junior Byles, Gregory Isaacs, Black Uhuru, and the Heptones. Much of this material is relatively familiar: dedicated roots reggae fans will already own copies of Lord Creator's "Independent Jamaica," Augustus Pablo's "Java" (presented alongside a brilliant DJ cut by I-Roy), and Black Uhuru's "Going to Zion." But many listeners will be startled to learn that Bob Marley & the Wailers recorded a rocksteady version of the Archies' "Sugar Sugar," and some of the more obscure work by artists like Lloyd Parks and Carl Malcolm is likely to be a pleasant revelation even to many familiar with the genre. The package also includes a bonus DVD with a documentary film on the history of Randy's, featuring interviews with former employees, recording artists, and surviving family members. ~ Rick Anderson