The first golden notes coming from the voice of Mr. Freddie McGregor’s "My Baby is Gone," lets you know A Tribute to Studio One, is pure platinum. Available on Easy Star Records "Tribute" is by far one of the best roots compilations of this year. You will love hearing Sister Carol on the silky-smooth, "Keep It Real," along with Fred Locks singing a new composition called "Lifestyles," and groove to Angie Angel chanting, about the power of Ganja on "Sativa Info" on the famous UPTOWN Riddim.

Ever since their first release by Rob Symeonn "Anything for Jah," I have always respected the sounds coming from Easy Star. From that first song, and the CDs, and singles that followed, Easy Star has always produced A ­ 1 quality sounds. Sister Carol’s Tribute to Studio One is no exception. Studio One riddims and songs have been remixed, and reused thousands and thousands of times. But this compilation of hard-hitting songs and riddims that were first made famous by singers and musicians at Coxsone’s Studio One is very special. All 18 tracks have an extra strong dose of rich harmonies, blazing horns, soulful vocals, top grade players of instruments, and well-written lyrics. What really turned my head is the number of female artist, from Pam Hall, Empress Trejah, and Motherland Soul with a haunting version of "Hear Me Jah, Jah."

Tribute to Studio One produced by Sister Carol, just reinforces what we all ready know, Sister Carol is a multi talented artist who has only touched the surface of her talents. She has assembled an impressive variety of artists, each artist bringing his and her own unique sound to make Tribute to Studio One, a musical treasure. Consider this lineup, Johnny Osborne and the great Dennis Brown bubbling on "All I Have Is Love," a pure scorcher. Jr. Jazz singing and strumming on a 60’s soul classic "Baby Can I Change your Mind," or how about grooving and moving to Pam Hall’s superb rendition of the Heptones, "There Ain’t Nobody Else." The list of impressive singers continues, with Sugar Minott remaking his own Studio One classic "Give A Hand," and Glen Washington singing a new composition called "Jah New Love."

I especially enjoyed Sister Carol’s two tracks "Keep It Real," and "Listening," Empress Trejah, with "You And Me," as well as "Keep the Faith," from Sluggy Ranks and Dr. C. I cannot find one song that fails to deliver. Tribute to Studio One is a CD that is strong from first song to last.

Mother Culture, Sister Carol and the Easy Star crew deserves much praise and respect for Tribute. Again, this is one of the best compilations this year and deserves a nice spot in your CD library.