The latest compilation from Strut takes you on a musical journey of the Compass Point Studios circa 1980-1986. If you've never heard of the studio, you've definitely grooved to their recordings or heard them on the radio. Grace Jones' "My Jamaican Guy(1)," Tom Tom Club's "Genius Of Love(2)," or Talking Heads' "Born Under Punches(3)?" They're all milestones in Compass Point's illustrious history. Based in the Nassau Islands of the Bahamas, the studio was run by Chris Blackwell, who had an exciting new vision for music. It was a hybrid of everything from reggae to funk, new wave to disco. The backbone of this movement was all in the studio band, for which Blackwell hand-picked the players. Pop musicians from Paris, musical talent from NY, and key Jamaican players such as the famous rhythm duo of Sly & Robbie were all enlisted into Blackwell's new dream team. In the relaxed atmosphere in the Bahamas, away from the hustle and noise of the city, the studio provided freedom for experimentation, which was essential to its success. Check the dubby disco house sounds on the Larry Levan Mix of Gwen Guthrie's "Padlock(4)," Sly & Robbie's dubby version of the Yarbrough & People's hit "Don't Stop The Music(5)," Ian Dury's new wave disco jam "Spasticus Autisticus(6)," Francois K's mix of Set The Tone's electro funk heater "Dance Sucka(7)" and the new wave reggae sounds of Chaz Jankel's "Whisper(8)." Pretty much every song on here is modern for today's dancefloors (Chas Jankel just had a release on Tirk with a Hercules & Love Affair remix) and deserves to be played out. Comes in a glossy three panel digipak complete with booklet and bio written David Katz, author of People Funny Boy: The Genus of Lee Scratch Perry. Recommended.

reviewed by C'mish