Steely & Clevie (Wycliffe Johnson and Cleveland Brown) learned their craft as musicians on Coxsone Dodd sessions. The late Steely debuted as a keyboardist with Sugar Minott’s Youth Promotion collective, playing on Minott’s 1978 Ghetto-ology album, while Clevie pioneered the use of drum machines in reggae. They first played together at Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark Studios during the late 1970s. The duo worked with artists such as the Specials, Gregory Peck ("Poco Man Jam," 1990), Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, and No Doubt. They formed the Steely & Clevie label in 1987, a year in which reggae riddims and dub-influenced hip-hop production by Ced Gee and KRS-One in the Bronx became prominent.
This CD is their "tribute" to Studio One founder Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, showcasing some reggae classic tunes in respectful, updated versions. This is a very well produced, well played, and most enjoyable album. Fans of classic 60s and 70s reggae should find this CD very satisfying. There are some great artists on here, some of them reggae royalty. Just to have another compilation with the underrated Dobby Dobson on it is a true gift. One highlight of this recording is the new version of the 1967 track You Don't Love Me by Dawn Penn (sampling U Roy’s Wake The Town). The track was released as a single that same year and became a Billboard Hot 100 hit in the US. This is absolutely essential dancehall dub.