Sort of Jamaica's answer to
Marvin Gaye (or perhaps
Al Green), the diminutive
Delroy Wilson was pivotal in moving the island's music toward its brilliant, skewed, upside-down version of American soul, and his warm, assured phrasing is the equal of any Motown or Stax star. This consistent set features
Wilson's signature 1972 version of "Cool Operator" along with other sides from the early '70s produced by
Bunny Lee, including
Lee-produced remakes of
Wilson's late-'60s hits for
Clement Dodd's Studio One like "Rain from the Sky," "Dancing Mood" (called "I'm in a Dancing Mood" here), and "Never Conquer" (as "Never Will Conquer Me"). Unfortunately this set does not include another fine
Lee-produced hit with
Wilson, the impressive "Better Must Come." Listeners should definitely seek out the original Studio One material, but
Lee was perhaps
Wilson's most sympathetic producer, and this brief collection is a charming and winning argument (or statement, as the title suggests) for the collaboration between the two.