Record Label: Heartbeat/Studio 1
Genre: Rocksteady
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

Another Heartbeat reissue of the classic Studio 1 recordings. To be honest, Alton Ellis was never my favorite Jamaican artist. Moreso than a lot of other 60s romantic rocksteady artists, his music feels dated. His voice doesn’t have the deep, huskiness of John Holt, the jubilance of Desmond Dekker, or the range of Jimmy Cliff. The music, when not steeped in 50s love-song structure, can be excellently upbeat and interesting. But it’s usually the former and sappy.

The album really shines though when his sister Hortense sings. She was one of the most underrated female Jamaican singers, overshadowed by Phyllis Dillon, Marcia Griffiths, and Doreen Shaffer. But her sweet, subtle voice turns bro Alton’s sappy songs into things of beauty. Check out Sitting in the Park and Breaking Up is Hard to Do – she is the best thing about those songs and others.

Kudos to Heartbeat for releasing another classic. I personally don’t find Alton as immediately catchy as his peers, but the music is still pretty and serves well as great makeout music.

Bottom Line: Not the skankiest album, but put this on for a girl and watch her melt.
Notable Tracks: Willow Tree, Sitting in the Park, Breakfast in Bed (wonderful song, even without the masterful Jackie Mittoo’s overdubs!), People Make the World Go Round (a song that epitomizes 60s soul)
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