Josey Wales - The Outlaw (1983)

Toaster Josey Wales (born Winston Sterling) came up during the early days of dancehall, honing his craft with DJ innovator U-Roy's Stur-Gav sound system. Sharing the spotlight with other successful DJs during the first half of the '80s (the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Yellowman were his peers), Wales, he boasted a hoarse tone born out of the gruff, rockstone tradition of mike work; it's a lineage that also boasts such stellar figures as Prince Jazzbo, Shabba Ranks, and Bounty Killer. For this, his debut, Wales is surrounded by producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes' top-notch mixes and the dread rhythms of the Roots Radics band. Wales thrives among the varying tempos, delivering quality cuts like his early hit, "Let Go Mi Hand," and the singjay track "Music Diseases." A highlight of the many impressive DJ titles released during dancehall's golden years.