Reggae
label 17 North Parade has put together the
most comprehensive collection to date from
the legendary George Phang’s Powerhouse
label. Taken straight from the studio
archives, Selector’s Choice – Powerhouse
Productions Volumes 1-4 feature rare classic
material that played a crucial role in the
evolution of dancehall. Organized by riddim,
these must-have selections define the
critical period between the heady days of
roots reggae and the evolving ‘80s
dancehall.
Entering
the business in the early 1980s, before the
advent of digital riddims, Phang was one of
the first producers to unite
instrumentalists possessing strong roots
credentials—most notably the Riddim Twins,
Sly & Robbie—with dancehall vocal pioneers.
Mixing roots vibes with dancehall
innovation, Phang set a tone for the 80s
that reverberates powerfully to this day
with Powerhouse hits still mashing up the
dance as well as holding a permanent grasp
on the collective memory of dancehall fans
worldwide.
Beginning with Half Pint’s dancehall
classic, Greetings, and Barrington Levy’s
Money Move, Phang continued to score hits
with Frankie Paul’s Tidal Wave, Roll Call
from Tenor Saw, Sugar Minot’s Buy Off The
Bar and Galong Galong Galong from Yellowman,
not to mention countless others. For the
first time, Selector’s Choice – Powerhouse
Productions Volumes 1-4 puts them all within
easy reach.
The quality as well as the quantity of hits Powerhouse strung together between 1984 and 1989 underscore its legacy and critical place in reggae collections everywhere. The 160 tracks featured in this 8-disc compilation (and sold separately on four double-discs), including foundation riddims such as Final Mission, Answer and Lecturer, are a roadmap to Phang’s genius.
For
those curious about the
changeover from roots
reggae to dancehall,
this unparalleled set of
Powerhouse productions
will undoubtedly help
make the transition
understandable. The sets
are specially packaged
with new liner notes and
photos.