Sly & Robbie - Present Gregory Isaacs

Format: LP
Catalogue No.: SRPGI01
Barcode: 0843655018323
Release Date: 12 Dec 2025
Genre: Dancehall/Ragga

 TABOU1 are proud to reissue the very first album ever released by Sly & Robbie’s iconic TAXI label back in 1979.
 Having saved enough money during a tour with Peter Tosh to buy four multitrack recording tapes, Sly & Robbie asked Gregory to voice a few songs for them. Because they had played on so many of his hits, Gregory generously agreed to do it for free to help bootstrap the new TAXI label.
 In 1979, Gregory Isaacs was by far Jamaica’s most
popular artist, earning his ‘Cool Ruler’ nickname many times over, releasing hit after hit, most of which were produced with Sly & Robbie, who at 25 years of age were already the hottest backing band.
 Out of these sessions came hits like ‘Soon Forward’, a fabulous cover of Bob Marley’s ‘Slave Driver’ and four other potent tracks. There were no flimsy soul or pop covers: Gregory Isaacs, whose voice and range were at their peak, sang with clarity, depth, verve and confidence, with no unnecessary mannerisms.
 A must-have for any serious music fan, this crucial album features extended so-called ‘Discomix’ versions of all the songs, providing listeners with a generous serving of the Riddim Twins drum and bass extravaganza.
 In addition to the original album, the label have added three dub versions that were only released in Jamaica, as B-Sides of singles, in 1979. These have never been reissued until now and provide a fascinating glimpse into Sly & Robbie’s drum and bass sound, which revolutionized Reggae music at the time.

Tracklisting
Soon Forward
You'll Never Know
Motherless Children
Slave Driver
Mistake
Going Downtown
I'm Coming Home