Hopes On High b/w Thai Stick Version Luciano

Long before Easy Star Records became synonymous with groundbreaking reggae reinterpretations, the label was busy laying a foundation of original roots music. At the center of this early catalog sits "Hopes On High," a 7-inch single featuring the unmistakable baritone of roots reggae messenger Luciano. With a reputation for deeply spiritual, conscious lyricism, Luciano delivers a commanding vocal performance that feels both urgent and timeless, anchoring the label's commitment to authentic Jamaican sounds during its formative era.

The single's production highlights a vital collaborative bridge, co-produced by Easy Star co-founder Michael G alongside legendary Jamaican vocalist and producer Triston Palma. This partnership underscores the label's early, hands-on approach to connecting the reggae community between New York and Kingston. Michael G's crisp, traditional roots instrumentation provides the ideal bedrock for Luciano's delivery, showcasing a creative synergy that would soon pave the way for the label's ambitious future projects, including the globally recognized DUB SIDE OF THE MOON⁠.

Flipping the record reveals the "Thai Stick Version," a heavy, atmospheric dub treatment credited to the Easy Star All-Stars. This B-side serves as a crucial early glimpse into the collective that would eventually become the flagship touring and recording entity for the label. Stripping away the vocals to emphasize the track's militant bassline and echoing percussion, the dub version firmly roots the release in soundsystem culture while teasing the visionary studio techniques that would come to define the Easy Star sound for decades.