There’s a lot of good Trojan ska / dub /reggae compilations, but “Scratchy Sounds” is (so far) undeniably the best.

Compiled by DJ Barry “Scratchy” Myers, most notably the touring DJ for The Clash (and a significant influence on their music), this two-disc set is packed with a canon of ska, dub, reggae and roots, perfectly restored and crystal clear. The mix is thoughtful and witty too – even thematic.

If you’re a fan of this music then some of these songs are critical must-gets for your collection. That said, I’ve even played this for non-fans of reggae and they’ve absolutely loved it.

As a bonus, the liner notes are written by Barry Myers himself and chronicle his lifetime with this music and all the politics, fads, struggles, victories, and humor that came in-between. The only problem was that I wanted to read more! When does the book come out, Barry?