Startime, the long-running vintage music show, returns on January 9 at the Mas Camp in Kingston. The Jamaica Observer, an associate sponsor, continues a series of features on the event.

STANDARDS like Roof Over my Head, Right Time and Africa have made the Mighty Diamonds roots-reggae icons.

But there is a lot of soul in Tabby, Bunny and Judge, who have been recording together since 1969.

In 1977, one year after their sensational debut album,

Right Time, was released, they releasedIce On Fire, a soul-inspired album produced by renowned New Orleans singer/songwriter Allen Toussaint.

Backed by a number of the Big Easy’s top musicians, the Diamonds recorded what one critic called “a sophisticated blend of soul, funk and reggae. This grand fusion of styles resulted in one of the most memorable and compelling albums of the late-70s”.

Ice On Fire included songs like Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley andGet Out of My Life Woman, both written and made famous by Toussaint.

It also contained the Diamonds’ cover of The Stylistics’

Country Living.

Distributed by Virgin Records,

Ice On Fire was not a hit with reggae critics and the Diamonds returned to more familiar territory on their next album, Stand Up to Your Judgment, produced by Sly and Robbie at Channel One.

— Howard Campbell