Black Slate never had any major hits either in England or the US, but they served as the backing band for several major Jamaican artists when they toured the UK during the heyday of reggae’s popularity there, including Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson, and Ken Boothe. And the albums they made in the late 1970s and early 1980s make it clear why they were a first-call backing ensemble: listen to this, their debut album, and notice how solidly they play in a variety of roots-reggae styles. The writing is well above average, as well.

– Rick Anderson