Party Time: The Sunshot Singles 1974 CD

In 1974, Phil Pratt stood at reggae's creative forefront, steering the helm to roots and dub through his Sunshot label. The 2xCD collection Party Time captures his peak year, blending major Jamaican bullseyes with rarer outer edgers, also newly on CD. Pratt's sharp ear for talent brought vocalists like Pat Kelly, The Heptones, Horace Andy, Delroy Wilson and Linval Thompson into the spotlight; yet the set also hears instrumental dubs from Pratt's All Stars and Bobby Kalphat, echoing the less visible, underground sounds foundationally shaking Jamaica's music scene. Heptones' 'Party Time', U Roy's 'Real Cool' and Linval Thompson's 'Jah Jah Redder Than Red' further settle the growing roots influence, while the versions signify dub's later dominance.