One of the forerunners of bringing ska, rocksteady and reggae to an international audience, Jamaican Desmond Dekker is best known for early hits such as Israelites, 007 (Shanty Town) and It Mek. Each of these was firmly clasped to the buttoned-up bosoms of the 1960s UK Mod scene (as well as Mod's more troubling offshoot, the skinheads). This two-disc set is titled after Dekker's admirably cringeworthy punning release for Stiff Records in 1980. Though Dekker was overshadowed somewhat by Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff in the 1970s, his prolific output and resilient fanbase were more than enough to carry him into the 1980s and (one step) beyond. This look-
sharp reissue includes well-
written liner/biographical notes and several non-album tracks that make their debut on CD for the first time. desmonddekker.
com

Download: Israelites, 007 (Shanty Town), It Mek