Bringing together the original cuts of classic tracks such as "Skylarking" and Dawn Penn's instantly recognisable "No, No, No", Studio One Rockers showcases not only the talents of influential artists that were to become synonymous with reggae but also the styles, sounds and above all rhythms that were to dominate Kingston studios into the 1970s and beyond. There are a number of rocksteady classics (hence the name), with tracks like hammond organ maestro Jackie Mittoo's "Hot Milk" and the legendary Marcia Griffiths' "Feel Like Jumping" highlighting the then dramatic change in style away from the faster beats of Ska towards heavy, bass-led tracks with a much slower tempo. But Studio One Rockers is not restricted to this. The semi-instrumental track "Phoenix City" pounds along at a breakneck pace with trumpets belting and, along with "Greedy G", shows the importance a faster beat, a funky take or a "big band" sound also had within the Studio One fold. There are tracks from DJs like Lone Ranger with his "Badder Dan Dem" vocal rhythms and dancehall sounds. Roots artists include one of its biggest stars, Horace Andy, whose then unique falsetto was later emulated by many looking for a similar pop success. Then a pre-teen, reggae star Freddy McGregor also appears on "Bobby Babylon". Freddy, like many of the artists here, was to produce some of his best work under the watchful eye of Studio One's equally famous producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. In many ways a tribute to Coxsone's production skills and rhythms that continue to be rediscovered and recut, Studio One Rockers is essential listening for anyone with even a passing interest in Jamaican music. -Caroline Butler.

Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers have always been interested in music beyond reggae, the band of siblings moving from synth-pop sheen in the 80s to a more mature and multi-genre sound in the late 90s. Dragonfly, Ziggy Marley's first solo effort, continues this trajectory. Featuring producers Ross Hogarth (Metallica, Jewel) and Scott Litt (R. E. M. ) and special guests Flea, John Frusciante, David Lindley and Incubus's Chris Kilmore, Dragonfly sounds closer to the adult contemporary music of recent Sting or R. E. M. than the reggae of Ziggy's father, Bob Marley. But even if the apple has fallen away from the music tree, Ziggy's voice has the same forceful yearning and brittle timbre as his father's; also like his father, Marley wears his politics on his sleeve (particularly on "Shalom Salaam" and "In the Name of God") without being rudimentary. [+]