Johnny Osbourne - Dancing Time (2026) [Hi-Res]

Dancing Time is one of the landmark albums in the extensive discography of Jamaican singer Johnny Osbourne (born Errol Osbourne, 1948), widely regarded as one of the founding voices of Jamaican dancehall, earning him the enduring nickname "Dancehall Godfather."
Produced by E.J. Robinson and originally released in 1984 — on Top Rank in Jamaica and Londisc in the UK — the album brought together an elite roster of session players: Lloyd Parks on bass, Sly Dunbar on drums, Willie Lindo on guitars, Robbie Lyn on keyboards, Dean Fraser on saxophone, and Junior Chin on trumpet. The record was conceived in the classic showcase tradition, with each vocal track paired with its corresponding instrumental dub version.
The repertoire draws on foundational riddims of the era: "The Show Must Go On" rides Alton Ellis's Studio One benchmark "A Fool"; "Keep On Riding" is built over the "Skylarking" riddim associated with Horace Andy; "Here I Come Again" employs Delroy Wilson's "Rain From The Skies"; while "Get Cracking" — a substantial dancehall hit in its own right — is set against "The Whip" riddim. The album also features a heartfelt reading of The Impressions' "People Get Ready," demonstrating Osbourne's deep roots in American soul and gospel.
The VP Records 2026 reissue restores the full showcase format for the first time in the digital age, presenting all seven vocal tracks alongside their complete instrumental counterparts — exactly as the album was originally conceived. The release continues VP Records' longstanding commitment to preserving and reintroducing the cornerstones of Jamaican dancehall and roots reggae.

Tracklist:
1-1 Johnny Osbourne - The Show Must Go On [3:20]
1-2 Johnny Osbourne - The Show Must Go On (Instrumental Version) [3:19]
1-3 Johnny Osbourne - Get Cracking [3:47]
1-4 Johnny Osbourne - Get Cracking (Instrumental Version) [2:49]
1-5 Johnny Osbourne - Cherry Pie [3:17]
1-6 Johnny Osbourne - Cherry Pie (Instrumental Version) [2:57]
1-7 Johnny Osbourne - Keep On Riding [3:38]
1-8 Johnny Osbourne - Keep On Riding (Instrumental Version) [3:24]
1-9 Johnny Osbourne - People Get Ready [3:04]
1-10 Johnny Osbourne - People Get Ready (Instrumental Version) [3:04]
1-11 Johnny Osbourne - Here I Come Again [3:23]
1-12 Johnny Osbourne - Here I Come Again (Instrumental Version) [3:19]
1-13 Johnny Osbourne - Upfront Lover [3:39]
1-14 Johnny Osbourne - Upfront Lover (Instrumental Version) [2:28]