Cocoa Tea - Reggae Anthology: The Sweet Sound Of Cocoa Tea '2020

Tracks list

Reggae Anthology: The Sweet Sound of Cocoa Tea is an exhaustive, expansive,
two-disc overview of the career of one of reggaes veteran artists. People may
know Cocoa Tea (who is sometimes credited as Coco Tea, birth name Calvin George
Scott) from his recently released digital single, Barack Obama, supporting the
Illinois senator in a bid for the democratic presidential nomination, but he has
been a major -- less well known -- force in the evolving world reggae music
scene since the early 80s.

One of the originators of the dancehall style, Cocoa Tea, recorded his first
album Weh Dem a Go Do…Cant Stop Coco Tea in 1983, just before digital
rhythms became the backbone of dancehall music. Its the live instrumentation on
the songs taken from that disc that give them more of a relaxed, rootsy feeling,
complementing Cocoa Teas laid-back lovers rock style. Lost My Sonia is a Henry
Junjo Lawes production utilizing the popular Diseases rhythm, while Rocking
Dolly (another Junjo) is an adaptation of the Real Rock rhythm. Both were
certified hits. A lesser known, though still hit-worthy, track from this era is
Informer, a streetwise rocker warning against snitching to the law.

Children of the Ghetto is actually a song about going to the dancehall, and its
the first track here produced by King Jammy. Jammys other productions with Bobby
Digital at the board make up many of the tracks on this collection. The
dancehall anthem Tune In is arguably Cocoa Teas signature song. All Night
Saturday Night, produced by Trevor Uncle T James, is an addictive groove
extolling the virtues of love-making, while Young Lover is an equally addictive
admonition of getting involved with underage lovers.

Who She Love, Holding On, and Pirates Anthem feature the collaboration of Cocoa
Tea with Home T. and Shabba Ranks. These three tracks are some of biggest
dancehall hits ever. When the trio moved to Two Friends Production, DJ Shabba
Ranks was replaced by Cutty Ranks, for the hit The Going Is Rough. The popular
dancehall collaborations are followed by the more socially conscious Rikers
Island and the inspiring Bust Outta Hell (Junjo returns as producer on the
latter.), which close out disc one of this anthology.

Disc two of The Sweet Sound of Cocoa Tea highlights Cocoa Teas more recent work.
Good Life is an impressive cover of the classic in 90s dancehall style and Too
Young is a crucial remake of Cocoa Teas own hit (on disc one), featuring Buju
Banton. Bobby Digital returns to produce No Threat, one of the biggest sound boy
boasts ever recorded. We Do the Killing is another DJ boast track, which borrows
its hook from Peter Toshs Burial.

Many of the tracks on the second disc are noticeably more rootical (roots reggae
with socially conscious lyrics and themes) than some of the earlier dancehall
and lovers rock showcased on disc one. The stunning beat and irresistible rhythm
of Holy Mount Zion brought its spiritual message into the dancehall. The
reimagining of Bob Marleys Heathen helped propel the roots revival of the 90s in
Jamaica. Israels King expresses Cocoa Teas deep Rastafarian beliefs to the
rhythm of Marleys One Drop. Hurry Up & Come likewise borrows from Marley, with
the rhythm from No Woman, No Cry, and its serious spiritual message is not lost
despite compelling you to the dance floor.

Rough Inna Town, one of several Xterminator productions included here, has Cocoa
Tea sharing vocal duties with fellow superstar Luciano. Tek Wey Yu Gal is a
recent track, which has Cocoa Tea adapting the Bunny Striker Lee-produced Stick
by Me by John Holt. 2006s Save Us Oh Jah closes disc two and again demonstrates
Cocoa Teas ability to deliver social and spiritual messages in hypnotically
rocking rhythms and captivating, catchy melodies.

Reggae Anthology: The Sweet Sound of Cocoa Tea will appeal to fans of modern and
classic reggae alike. It represents the quintessential Cocoa Tea, from dancehall
to lovers rock to rootical. Its a testament to his three decades riding the
changing styles of Jamaican music, by maintaining his own individual style and
personal presence.

Tracklist: 
01. Cocoa Tea - Ive Lost My Sonia (3:35)
02. Cocoa Tea - Rocking Dolly (3:46)
03. Cocoa Tea - Informer (3:13)
04. Cocoa Tea - Children Of The Ghetto (2:48)
05. Cocoa T - Hey Bobby (2:48)
06. Cocoa Tea - Come Again (3:21)
07. Cocoa Tea - Death In The Stadium (3:12)
08. Cocoa Tea - Tune In (2:54)
09. Cocoa Tea - All Night Saturday Night (3:38)
10. Cocoa Tea - Young Lover (3:38)
11. Cocoa Tea - Lonesome Side (3:20)
12. Cocoa Tea - Love Me (3:24)
13. Cocoa Tea (feat Home T & Shabba Ranks) - Who She Love (3:09)
14. Cocoa Tea (feat Home T & Shabba Ranks) - Holding On (3:57)
15. Cocoa Tea (feat Home T & Shabba Ranks) - Pirates Anthem (feat. Home T &
Shabba Ranks) (4:06)
16. Cocoa Tea (feat Home T & Cutty Ranks) - The Going Is Rough (4:04)
17. Cocoa Tea - Rikers Island (3:28)
18. Cocoa Tea - Bust Outta Hell (3:31)
19. Cocoa Tea - Good Life (4:00)
20. Cocoa Tea (feat. Buju Banton) - Too Young (3:46)
21. Cocoa Tea - She Loves Me Now (3:42)
22. Cocoa Tea - No Threat (3:10)
23. Cocoa Tea - We Do The Killing (3:15)
24. Cocoa Tea - Come Love Me (3:17)
25. Cocoa Tea & Cutty Ranks - Rip & Run Off (4:01)
26. Cocoa Tea - Holy Mount Zion (3:16)
27. Cocoa Tea - Heathen (3:31)
28. Cocoa Tea - Israels King (3:51)
29. Cocoa Tea - Hurry Up & Come (3:46)
30. Cocoa Tea (feat. Luciano) - Rough Inna Town (feat. Luciano) (3:53)
31. Cocoa Tea - Moving On (3:41)
32. Cocoa Tea - Mr. Neck Tie Man (3:58)
33. Cocoa Tea & Louie Culture - Zeeks (4:01)
34. Cocoa Tea - Cant Be Real (3:14)
35. Cocoa Tea - Tek Weh Yuh Gal (4:48)
36. Cocoa Tea - Save Us Oh Jah (3:34)

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