17 North Parade Releases Early Dancehall on Selector’s Choice- The Powerhouse Productions Volumes 1-4

Reggae label 17 North Parade has put together the most comprehensive collection to date from the legendary George Phang’s Powerhouse label. Taken straight from the studio archives, Selector’s Choice – Powerhouse Productions Volumes 1-4 feature rare classic material that played a crucial role in the evolution of dancehall. Organized by riddim, these must-have selections define the critical period between the heady days of roots reggae and the evolving ‘80s dancehall.

Entering the business in the early 1980s, before the advent of digital riddims, Phang was one of the first producers to unite instrumentalists possessing strong roots credentials—most notably the Riddim Twins, Sly & Robbie—with dancehall vocal pioneers. Mixing roots vibes with dancehall innovation, Phang set a tone for the 80s that reverberates powerfully to this day with Powerhouse hits still mashing up the dance as well as holding a permanent grasp on the collective memory of dancehall fans worldwide.

Beginning with Half Pint’s dancehall classic, Greetings, and Barrington Levy’s Money Move, Phang continued to score hits with Frankie Paul’s Tidal Wave, Roll Call from Tenor Saw, Sugar Minot’s Buy Off The Bar and Galong Galong Galong from Yellowman, not to mention countless others. For the first time, Selector’s Choice – Powerhouse Productions Volumes 1-4 puts them all within easy reach.

he quality as well as the quantity of hits Powerhouse strung together between 1984 and 1989 underscore its legacy and critical place in reggae collections everywhere. The 160 tracks featured in this 8-disc compilation (and sold separately on four double-discs), including foundation riddims such as Final Mission, Answer and Lecturer, are a roadmap to Phang’s genius.

For those curious about the changeover from roots reggae to dancehall, this unparalleled set of Powerhouse productions will undoubtedly help make the transition understandable. The sets are specially packaged with new liner notes and photos.

Buy the CDs:

• In North America: Power House Selector’s Choice Vol. 1, Power House Selector’s Choice Vol. 2 , Power House Selector’s Choice Vol. 3, and  Power House Selector’s Choice Vol. 4