Winston Riley: Foundation Productions

It’s hard to separate a person’s career into disparate sections even if he or she is engaged in a rather wide range of endeavors. Moving from being on the mic to behind the boards isn’t the most surprising move a musician might make. But when that occurs, there were most likely moments earlier in a person’s career that hinted at what was to come.

For Winston Riley, becoming one of the most lauded producers in JA music history began as a result of his departure from Studio One as he was seeking more autonomy for his group the Techniques. That singing group, while even fondly recalled today, didn’t seem to have the support or longevity to broadly impact ska, rock steady or reggae.

Included on the career spanning compilation, Quintessential Techniques, are just a few moments for the Techniques to take center stage. So, it’s really a testament to the production work that Riley would subsequently stamp his name on, seeing as the disc comprises some thirty six tracks.

With such a litany of recordings included here, it’s easy to guess that the general arc of JA music is represented. And beginning with the Techniques, listeners are taken from the in-between period of ska and rock steady all the way through dance hall.

That latter sub-genre might in fact be the music that Riley most affected. “Ring the Alarm” has been sampled and covered too many times to count – although, the Fu Schnickens version might be the most entertaining. Part of the bridge that Quintessential Techniques attempts build is from reggae to dub and finally on to dancehall. It’s a difficult concept to relate over the course of just a few songs, but the rhythm track that accompanied Tenor Saw’s original version of “Ring the Alarm” begins the proceedings. There are a few more renditions that follow. And as each flies by due to that all so familiar production, it’s easy to figure why Riley’s legacy persists today. He’s also apparently the only JA producer to have scored chart hits in each decade from the ‘60s through the ‘90s. That’s some tough stuff.

Regardless of what the charts intone, what the music here says is innovation. And by the time that the disc rolls around to the pair of contributions from Admiral Tibet’s catalog, digital production techniques are pretty apparent. Of course, this latter day entry into the genre isn’t going to appeal to JA music novices, but it does point to Riley’s ability to adapt to the time that he was working.

Moving much past the Admiral’s efforts, Quintessential Techniques losses a bit of steam. Every once in a while, though, a few tracks crop up to make newer dancehall seem like a pleasurable thing to listen to. Of course, Gregory Isaacs’ voice is treasure to behold, but when paired with the Tiger’s toasting not even the mid ‘80s styled backing on “Hic Up” has the ability to bog it down.

Riley’s retrospective is unquestionably a look back at everything he’s been involved in. And luckily, most of it is stuff that folks should hear.