Duke's Cookies: Duke Reid's Mento Shuffle Blues & - Duke's Cookies: Duke Reid's Mento, Shuffle Blues & Ska 1960-1962 / Various

First comprehensive anthology of the early productions of Jamaican legend, Duke Reid. Includes 20 tracks new to CD. Features some of the most popular and influential Jamaican recordings of the early 1960s. The influence of Duke Reid upon the development of the Jamaican music industry can never be overstated. During the 1950s, he dominated the island's sound system scene, initially specialising with rare R&B imports from the US before turning to local talent to create 'exclusives' for his powerful sound. These early productions proved so popular that many were subsequently officially released as 7" singles, primarily on the distinctive 'Duke Reid's' record label in Jamaica, and Melodisc's famed 'Blue Beat' subsidiary in the UK. Yet despite the popularity and influence of Reid's early works, a serious anthology of his recorded output from this period has until now remained unavailable. This collection finally makes up for lost time with almost the entirety of his released work from this time collected across three discs, combining major Jamaican hits, performed by some of the island's leading foundation artists, with almost forgotten rarities from one-hit wonders. And, as an added bonus, numerous rare alternate takes that have remained in the vaults since the dawn of the 1960s are also included. As a stand-alone release or a companion to previous Doctor Bird and Trojan Duke Reid collections, this essential 3CD set not only provides a fascinating musical insight into the origins of Jamaica's national sound, but also provides the opportunity to hear some of the finest mento, shuffle blues and proto-ska sounds of the period