A dozen years ago, finding Jamaican mento music from the 1950s was nearly impossible. The pre-ska, acoustic calypso music -- which can still be heard on the island's resorts and tourist spots -- was captured by the nascent music industry on the island and some 78s were even pressed in the UK and USA. But all of it was scarce.

In the past few years, a compilation arrived every now again -- Heritage's "Boogu Yagga Gal" and more recently, "Mento Madness" on V2 spring to mind -- but it's only now that the 1950s output of Jamaican studios is really making it to disc.

Another great and attractive comp comes from the UK's Pressure Sounds. "Take Me To Jamaica" has 24 examples from a range of producers like Stanley Motta, Ivan Chin and Ken Khouri, who was also part of the scene when ska and Jamaican boogie woogie arrived. Informative liner notes and lots of pics of the original labels make this an engaging package.

The music is rhythmic, joyful, witty, spirited, earthy and without adornment. It's straightforward musical expression unhampered by the desire for superstardom and the passing technology fads that have altered reggae's progress.

If you want to dig even deeper Ivan Chin has created five CDs of the 80 mento tunes he recorded in 1955 and they are readily available via CD Baby.