CD+DVD Byron Lee & Dragonaires - Essential (2007)

Bandleader Byron Lee met ska, regaae, soul and soca hits. Included here are some fine outings with Eric "Monty" Morris ("Oil in My Lamp," "Sammy Dead"), Mighty Sparrow ("Only a Fool," "Dragon Dance"), Toots & the Maytals (yet another version of "54 46 That`s My Number"), and Keith Lyn ("Empty Chair"), as well as a moving and elegant bit of Jamaican ska doo wop from Stranger & Patsy called "Come Back" and a lovely, gentle take on Bob Marley`s "Redemption Song." A bonus DVD featuring Lee & the Dragonaires in performance at the 2006 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival is also included in the package, making this probably the best possible introduction to the high points of Lee`s music.

CD:

1. Theme from the Apartment

2. Jamaica Ska

3. Oil in My Lamp (feat Eric "Monty" Morris)

4. Wings of a Dove (feat. The Blues Busters)

5. Soon You`ll Be Gone (feat. The Blues Busters)

6. Sammy Dead (feat. Eric "Monty" Morris)

7. Come Back (feat. Stranger & Patsy)

8. Elizabeth Serenade

9. Only a Fool (feat Mighty Sparrow)

10. Bam Bam (feat Toots & The Maytals)

11. Dancehall Soca

12. Soca Butterfly

13. Soca Tattie

14. Dragon Dance (feat. Mighty Sparrow)

15. Give Me Soca

16. Tiney Winey

17. Wine Down

18. Empty Chair (feat. Keith Lyn)

19. Behold (feat. The Blues Busters)

20. Walk Like a Dragon

21. Donna (feat. The Blues Busters)

22. 54 46 That`s My Number (feat. Toots & The Maytals)

23. A Little Love aka That`s All I Want from You

24. Redemption Song

DVD:

The DVD captures Byron Lee`s 50th Anniversary at the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2006 and features interview with Byron Lee.