Glen Washington is one of those artistes. He was weaned on the songs produced by Duke Reid, head of Treasure Isle, and Clement “Coxson” Dodd who was principal of Studio One.

Washington salutes the Treasure Isle catalogue by recording songs from his latest album, ‘Feeling Irie’, on some of its hallowed rhythms. ‘Feeling Irie’ was released on July 19 by LTK20 Recordz.

It is produced by veteran Willie Lindo, with whom Washington worked on ‘I’m Living Well’, his 2020 album. Lindo, who is based in Florida, directed top acts such as Dennis Brown on his ‘Inseparable’ album; he also produced a number of hit singles including Beres Hammond’s ‘What One Dance Can Do’, ‘Love You Too Much’ by Wayne Wade and Boris Gardiner ‘I Want To Wake Up With You’.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Washington said it was his idea to record an album of songs to Treasure Isle beats. Lindo readily agreed.

“Dem thing mi grow up on as a little youth, ‘cause mi used to play soun’, mi used to be a selector back inna di day. Dis album is perfect, inna di same vein as di Studio One album…dis a guh bun up di place!” an excited Washington exclaimed.

Lindo, a prolific session guitarist at Federal Records during the 1970s, played on several of ‘Feeling Irie’s tracks. Jackie Jackson, who played bass on most of the original Treasure Isle rock steady hits, reprised his role on a handful of the songs.

Treasure Isle was founded in the late 1950s by Reid, a former policeman known to wear his firearms during recording sessions at the studio, which was located at Bond Street in West Kingston. Known as The Trojan, he also operated a successful sound system and liquor store.

Reid died from cancer in 1975, but his revered rhythms live on through projects like ‘Feeling Irie’ which contains songs such as ‘Home Again’, which is driven by the music of ‘My Best Girl’ by The Paragons, while ‘Put it Down’ is done to The Melodians’ ‘Everybody Bawling’.

Washington had major success with ‘Brother to Brother’, his 1996 album such heard him record songs on classic Studio One rhythms. He is looking for similar success with Feeling Irie.

“It a guh bus’ di place! There is no doubt in my mind.”

(Photo by Teacher)