Grounation (Dynamic Sound, 1990 [orig. released 1973])

The legendary Oswald "Count Ossie" Williams is largely responsible for infusing African drumming and chanting into reggae.  His backing of the Folkes Brothers' classic "Oh Carolina" (later covered by Shaggy) in the early '60s paved the way for the fusion, which would more fully realize its potential in the roots reggae Golden Age of the mid-'70s and would spark the proliferation of bands like Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus and African Head Charge.  It's sometimes hard to call such percussion-heavy music reggae, but Count Ossie and The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari's presence on ska, rock steady, and reggae songs in the '60s and '70s  inextricably linked the two disparate (African and Jamaican) yet complimentary styles of music.  The double CD (triple vinyl) Grounation is generally considered Count Ossie's masterpiece (although 1975's Tales of Mozambique is also highly regarded), but I can't recommend it for everyone.  Practically the only instruments used on the album are horns and African drums, which limits the range of sound.  Still, Ossie manages to throw in not only elements of African music and reggae, but also folk, jazz, dub poetry, gospel, and even some Latin and calypso-esque stylings.  The best tracks are the folksy "Hundred Years," the chanting "Lumba," the jazzy "Way Back Home," a drum-laden version of "Oh Carolina," and "So Long," which Dennis Brown made into a hit.  By today's standards, Grounation is dry and frankly a bit dull and repetitive.  It's greatness is mostly in its legacy.

Track Listing
CD 1:
1. Bongo Man
2. Naration
3. Naration [Contd.]
4. Marbat...Passin' Thru...
5. Poem
6. Hundred Years
7. Poem
8. Song
9. Lumba
10. Way Back Home

CD2:
1. Ethiopian Serenade
2. Oh Carolina
3. So Long
4. Groundation
5. Groundation [Contd.]
6. The Warm Up