Essential Artist Collection - 2023 UK/European Trojan label 28-track Transparent Green Vinyl 2LP set

Arguably the greatest female singer in the history of Jamaican music, Marcia Griffiths first made her mark the Jamaican music scene with a number of popular singles during the late Sixties, before finding international fame in 1970 alongside her long-term friend and sometime collaborator, Bob Andy.

Bob & Marcia’s uplifting reggae version of Nina Simone’s inspiring song, ‘(To Be) Young, Gifted & Black’ hit number 5 in the UK pop chart, with the single proving to be the first of two British chartbusters, with their exuberant interpretation of Pied Piper’ just missing out on a Top 10 placing the following year.

Soon after, Marcia became a member of Bob Marley’s famed backing group, the I-Threes, while also continuing to enjoy solo success with numerous Jamaican hits for a variety of record producers throughout the remainder of the Seventies and well beyond.

And it is the very best of her solo work that features on this ‘Essential Artist’ compilation, the latest release in Trojan Records’ newly launched range that showcases the work of Jamaica’s best-loved ‘foundation’ artists.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:
1. I'm Hurting Inside
2. We've Got to Get Ourselves Together (with Bob Andy)
3. Peaceful Woman
4. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
5. Steppin' Out of Babylon
6. I See You, My Love
7. Sweet Brown Sugar

Side 2:
1. Put a Little Love In Your Heart
2. Survival (Is the Game)
3. Pied Piper (with Bob Andy)
4. Feel Like Jumping
5. Play Me
6. Tell Me Now
7. Your Love (with Bob Andy)

Side 3:
1. Dreamland (aka My Dream Island)
2. Sweet Bitter Love
3. Melody Life
4. I Don't Care (with Bob Andy)
5. Mark My Word
6. I Just Don't Want to Be Lonely
7. Truly

Side 4:
1. To Be Young Gifted and Black (with Bob Andy)
2. Working to the Top (My Ambition), Pt. One
3. But I Do
4. Sugar Wooga Man
5. There's No Me Without You
6. Don't Ever Leave
7. You Are Mine (with Bob Andy)