Riddim and Shine: Phil Pratt’s 1974 Sunshot Classics Return

Various Artists – Party Time – The Sunshot Singles 1974 (‎ Doctor Bird, 2025)

This 2CD collection calls to attention the influential work of Jamaican producer Phil Pratt. The set starts in 1974, a pivotal year in Jamaican music, marked by the emergence of roots and dub. Party Time – The Sunshot Singles 1974 features over 40 hip shaking, engaging songs. Notably, many appear on CD for the first time.

As head of the Sunshot label since 1969, Pratt quickly became a key figure in reggae’s evolution. By 1974, he was producing major hits that reflected the island’s shifting musical landscape. This antholgy presents essential performances by leading artists of the era, including Pat Kelly, Al Campbell, the Heptones, Horace Andy, Delroy Wilson, and Linval Thompson.

This substantial compilation captures the deepening presence of roots and dub in Pratt’s productions, offering a snapshot of reggae in transition. The set brings together chart hits along with overlooked gems. Indeed, Party Time is an essential document of a producer at his creative peak.

Track Listing

Disc: 1

1. Phil Pratt – My Heart Is An Open Book
2. Pat Kelly – Summer Time
3. Al Campbell – Where Were You
4. Al Campbell – Upsetter at the Control
5. Phil Pratt – Catty
6. Delroy Wilson – Go Away Little Girl
7. Delroy Wilson – Love Got Me Doing Things
8. Phil Pratt All Stars – Love Got Me Version
9. The Heptones – Swept for You Baby
10. U Roy – Real Cool
11. The Phil Pratt All Stars – Cool Version
12. The Twinkle Brothers – Friends
13. The Twinkle Brothers – No Big Thing
14. Horace Andy – Let Your Teardrops Fall
15. Pratt’s All Stars – Dub on the Move
16. Bobby Kalphat – Counter Punch
17. Bobby Kalphat – Counter Dub
18. Jah Woosh – Psalm 121
19. The Phil Pratt All Stars – Psalm 121 Version
20. Linval Thompson – Jah Jah Redder Than Red
21. Phil Pratt All Stars – Dreader Than Dread Dub

Disc: 2

1. The Heptones – Party Time
2. Bobby Kalphat – Zion Hill
3. Bobby Kalphat – Dub Hill
4. Barrington Spence – Diana
5. The Phil Pratt All Stars – Diana Version
6. Linval Thompson – Girl You Got to Run
7. The Phil Pratt All Stars – Running Dub
8. Roman Stewart – Fire at Your Heel
9. The Phil Pratt All Stars – Doctor Bash
10. Jah Woosh – London to Birmingham No Big Thing
11. The Phil Pratt All Stars – London to Birmingham Version
12. Pat Kelly – I Don’t Want to Go
13. Bobby Kalphat – I Don’t Want to Go Version
14. Al Campbell – Oversize Man
15. The Phil Pratt All Stars – Oversize Man Version
16. Flowers & Pratt – Train a Blow
17. The Phil Pratt All Stars – Train a Blow Version
18. Roy Graham – Why Should You
19. The Phil Pratt All Stars – Why Should You Version
20. Al Campbell – Suit Yourself
21. Ansel Collins – Breakfast Special

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.