Burning
So
Burning is the first Island album. Which is basically what this thread is about if we use Luka's caveat.
I heard it for the first time on Sunday. It's a good album with some amazing songs but also some complete duds like Hallelujah Time, One Foundation and Pass It On which are just cheesy. The production across the board is quite grating for me but I can see how it fits into the rock schtick of the time. You can't argue with this lot:
Get Up, Stand Up,
I Shot The Sheriff
Burnin' And Lootin'
Small Axe
Duppy Conqueror
I was also surprised by how much enunciation Bob does and how clearly the lyrics are expressed. I guess that's obvious but it really stood out.
"Put It On" is a pretty great example of why Island-isaton was inevitable at the time but looks like an awful idea in retrospect. It's an amazing song rendered simply OK by the arrangement here:
The demo version IS objectively better, less fuss and no lyrics about "I feel like toasting" either:
Studio One version from late 60s is also great.
For me there is just no contest - these are great songs played by great players but just messed up in the studio in a way that wouldn't have been except for Island. But Island had to happen and these albums changed the world basically.