Various: We Are Getting Bad

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald Rating: * * *)

Beautifully packaged and well-annotated collection of late-70s roots reggae sides on the Phase One label out of Channel One and Joe Gibbs' studios.

It features heavily the soulful Chantells vocal trio, and the riddum twins of Sly'n'Robbie seen here recently. Steve Boswell's anxious and unsettling title track comes with its equally fearful and minimal dub version, there are tracks by unknown DJs and the formidable Heptones weigh in with Deceivers, not their finest moment however.

The distinctive, echoed production style of Phase One set the agenda for many roots acts and in its short life (about five years) the label was as influential for its versions as its popular successes (the Untouchables' cover of Sea of Love, the Chantells' Waiting in the Park).

But it's the elegant pop — Tabby's Miracle and its sax-enhanced dub version — which stand out.
Label: Phase One/Chant