What Goes Around b/w Dub Back Around Ruff Scott

Released in the early days of Easy Star Records, the "What Goes Around" 7-inch by Ruff Scott serves as a foundational artifact for the label's then-emerging identity. The A-side features a production by label co-founder Michael Goldwasser, capturing a transitional moment in New York City's reggae scene where traditional roots sensibilities met the crisp, studio-driven precision that would later define the Easy Star All-Stars sound. Scott's vocal delivery is steady and authoritative, grounding the track's philosophical lyrics in a rhythmic pocket that feels both timeless and specifically of its mid-90s era.

The B-side, "Dub Back Around," offers a deeper look into the label's structural DNA. Credited to the Easy Star All-Stars and featuring the Burning Brass horn section, the instrumental version highlights the sophisticated arrangements that would eventually propel projects like DUB SIDE OF THE MOON to international acclaim. The interaction between the heavy bassline and the sharp, punctuating brass lines showcases a commitment to high-fidelity analog recording, a standard that has remained a constant across the catalog, from these early singles to more recent works by artists like The Meditations or Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad.

Historically, this release functions as a bridge between the label's DIY origins and its future as a global reggae powerhouse. As the second entry in the Easy Star catalog (ES-002), it sits alongside other early rarities that prioritized the physical 45 RPM format for sound system play. By maintaining a focus on authentic dub techniques and local NYC talent, this single helped establish the creative blueprint for the label's long-term roster, emphasizing a brand of reggae that is musically complex yet remains accessible to the casual listener and the vinyl collector alike.