OLDIES SUNDAY: The Blackstones – Best Love (1996)

Today’s Oldies Sunday selection comes from UK based Reggae trio, The Blackstones! We go back in time with them to check out their single, “Best Love“. Produced by Bernard Collins, this was released in 1996 through Prestige Records. The track is dedicated to that special person who holds your heart, and The Blackstones speak for us when they say, “Your love is the best love for me…“. With their soulful vocals and a Riddim that you can’t help but slow dance to, “Best Love” is one that deserves plenty spins.

“Best Love” was featured on the group’s 1996 album, “Riding High“, and was well received in the Lovers Rock scene in Jamaica and the UK. The song was sampled for US Rapper Action Bronson’s 2020 single, “Golden Eye” which was produced by Budgie. Formed in 1974, The Blackstones is a group that showcases beautiful harmonies, and raises the bar for vocal styles and sounds that were set by groups before them like The Techniques, The Gaylads, The Wailers, The Paragons, and many others. Originally consisting of brothers Leon, Neville, and Byron Leiffer, The Blackstones has made changes over the years as Neville and Byron left to pursue solo careers. They were replaced with Tony Douglas and Ken Kendricks in the 1980s. Since then, more changes were made, and the group now consists of Leon Leiffer, Tony Mahoney, and Junior Bailey. Some of their most notable work involved them working with the late Sir “Coxsone” Dodd at Studio One, Phil Pratt for Channel One Studios, and the late Bunny “Striker” Lee.