Here’s a classic from the early days of reggae, when the beats began to slow but you could still hear the influence of ska and rocksteady.

This is a prime example by Dennis Walks, produced by his regular collaborator Harry Mudie, with a stellar deejay version by the great toaster I Roy and a dub by Mudie filled with rattling percussion.

Like so many of his generation, Dennis Vassell (he was given his nickname by Roy Shirley) started out with Duke Reid at Treasure Isle, back in 1963.

He put out a rocksteady single with Joe Gibbs – Having A Party – before teaming up with Mudie, having hits in Jamaica with tunes including Heart Don’t Leap, Sad Sweet Dreamer – a UK hit for Sweet Sensation in 1974 – Margaret, and The Drifter.

The “Drifter” rhythm has been reworked by several artists over the years, including Dennis Brown and Cornell Campbell, and another deejay version by Ranking Trevor. 

There’s even an entire album based on the track – Reggae Bible (Book Of Drifters) – mixed by King Tubby.

Walks also worked with Bunny Lee and Prince Jazzbo in the late Sixties and Seventies, and continued to release singles into the Nineties, while performing into the 21st century.