The Artist/Album: Alton Ellis, Mr. Soul of Jamaica (Treasure Isle, 1967)
Our Review: The godfather of rocksteady got his stateside start on this record, a feelgood foray into what would soon become a familiar mix of creeping keys, heated horns, sock-hop harmonies and easy, breezy rhythms that sound like they were written alongside slo-mo rim shots and a metronomic hammock. About as perfect as a spring listen can be, right down to Ellis’ spot-on renditions of songs like “You Make Me Happy” and “Willow Tree.”
Available At: Amazon · iTunes · Spotify
