DUBBED GOLD: CHANNEL ONE’S DEEP CUTS RECUT IN VINYL
For a brief window, one of reggae’s most influential chapters is back on the shelves. Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story, a richly curated 3LP edition, has returned in a vivid reissue from VP Records. First released in 2004, this limited-time pressing sheds fresh light on the golden age of the Maxfield Avenue studio, which redefined the sound of Jamaica between 1974 and 1984.
Channel One wasn’t just prolific. It was a seismic force, setting standards alongside Studio One and Treasure Isle. This set, with its 36 weighty tracks, stunning photography, and Dave Hendley’s insightful liner notes, honours that legacy without compromise.
Across the grooves, you’ll find essential works from Barrington Levy, Delroy Wilson, Dillinger, and The Mighty Diamonds. The compilation also includes gems like Yellowman’s early flashes of charisma and Clint Eastwood’s toasting finesse.
THIS VINYL CUT IS A TACTILE DOCUMENT OF STUDIO ALCHEMY
What truly makes this reissue shine are the groundbreaking 12-inch mixes. Among these are the Truly (DJ Mix) by The Jays and Ranking Trevor, as well as the dreamy Queen Majesty, which offers a haunting rendition of the Curtis Mayfield ballad.
These tracks remind listeners of how Channel One blurred the lines between roots reggae, lovers rock and dancehall innovation.
More than a retrospective, Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story is a tactile document of studio alchemy, pressed with care and built for deep listening.
ABOUT CHANNEL ONE
In 1970s West Kingston, the Hoo Kim brothers built more than a studio. Channel One shaped reggae’s hard-edged “rockers” sound and gave rise to a fierce, focused groove led by Sly Dunbar and the Revolutionaries.
Its breakthrough came with the Mighty Diamonds’ Right Time, sparking a run of landmark sessions by Horace Andy, Leroy Smart, and Delroy Wilson.
Though the studio closed in the ’90s, its legacy lives on through London’s Channel One Sound System and a global echo chamber of dub, jazz, and electronic explorers.
