Saturday, November 1, 2008

Studio One



Studio One is one of reggae's most renowned record labels, having been described as the "Motown" of Jamaica. It was founded by Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd in 1954, along with a studio by the same name, which was located on Brentford Road in Kingston. Dodd had previously issued music on a series of other labels, including World-Disc, and ran Downbeat one of the three or four largest and most reputable sound systems in the Kingston ghettos. The label and studio were closed when Dodd relocated to New York City in the 1980s.
It has produced records by (and had a large hand in shaping the careers of) such artists as Bob Marley and the Wailers, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Burning Spear, Toots & the Maytals, John Holt, Horace Andy, Ken Boothe, and Alton Ellis. Noted rival Prince Buster began his career working for Dodd's sound system, and noted producer Harry J recorded many of his best-known releases at Studio One.
Studio One had a large hand in shaping most of the major movements in Jamaican music during the 1960s and 70s, including ska, rocksteady (though Duke Reid's rocksteady output at his Treasure Isle label overshadowed Dodd's), reggae, dub and dance-hall. The Skatalites and the Sound Dimension were among several prominent ensembles to record backing tracks and instrumentals at Studio One.

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