Various

★★★★ Studio First: From The Vaults Vol. 2 STUDIO ONE. CD/LP More rare and unknown jewels from Jamaica’s very own hit factory. Renowned reggae label Studio One dominated Jamaican music during the ’60s and ’70s, giving rise to most of the island’s major stars. The latest excavation of the label’s voluminous vaults, undertaken with founder Clement Dodd’s daughter Carol, yields largely unknown material that is genuinely excellent. Songs such as Ken Boothe’s relaxed rock steady reading of Chris Kenner’s Something You Got and Cedric Brooks’ nyabinghi funk groove, The Great Ball, are seeing the light of day for the very first time, along with alternate takes of Joseph Hill’s devotional Behold and Prince Jazzbo’s exuberant DJ track Jah Dip. Landmarks such as The Soul Vendors’ Darker Shade Of Black and Slim Smith’s Happy Times are presented in split-channel stereo, and there are other obscure treasures from Dennis Brown, Larry Marshall and The Silvertones. The limited-edition vinyl album has two extended bonus tracks. David Katz