Heavyweights 3

Another of Blood And Fire's excellent collection/samplers from their range of classier '70s reggae/dub plates - and it's good! Heavyweight 3 features 14 tracks from the likes of Horace Andy, Bim Sherman and Johnny Clarke, showcasing some of the era's most exciting sounds, punk notwithstanding.

The power of Horace Andy on 'Don't Let Problems Let You Down' or 'S-Corner Dub' by Impact Allstars has not been diminished by time: indeed, the rough edges and primitive technology offer a welcome antidote to some of today's more clinical outings.

The two disco-mixes included - The Prophets and Trinity with 'King Pharoah's Plague' and Horace Andy's 'Pure Ranking' (clocking in at 8.30) - give the song and singers the required space to develop their themes and display vocal prowess. The latter, especially, is a joy and shows just why Massive Attack hold him in such high esteem.

Here be evidence abundant that without this sonic fuse, today's dance explosion might never have happened.