If You Ask Me To...

If youʼre a fan of Daptone Records, chances are youʼve read or heard the name Victor Axelrod, and even if you havenʼt, youʼve heard music from his hand. As a producer, arranger, recording and mixing engineer, and keyboardist, his creativity has extended across more than two decades of the labelʼs releases, even dating to its prehistory with Desco Records. If You Ask Me To..., the first LP under his name for the label, is a collection of singles released between 2007-2023 as well as unreleased tracks from Sugar Minott and Binky Griptite.

While previous projects like Ticklah Vs. Axelrod and Roots Combination (produced under the alias Ticklah) were inspired by the Jamaica of the 1970s and 80s, this set specifically channels an earlier period in the 1960s when Jamaica was both strikingly original in its continuum of genres but also closely and empathetically attuned to Black American music. Through Axelrodʼs exceptional taste and the notable contributions of guitarist Tom Brenneck, original tapes from Bob & Gene's MoDo discography, members of The Frightnrs, and others from the NYC reggae community, the legacy of trailblazing Jamaican artists like Alton Ellis, Tony Gregory, and Ken Parker continue to resonate and inspire a whole new generation of reggae and soul enthusiasts.

Tracklist

A1.   Sugar Minott - One Step Ahead
A2.   Leon Dinero - If You Ask Me To
A3.   Charles Bradley - Whatcha Doing (To Me)
A4.   Bob & Gene - I Can Be Cool
A5.   Binky Griptite - Lover Like Me

B1.   The Frightnrs - I'd Rather Go Blind
B2.   Bob & Gene - I Can't Stand These Lonely Nights
B3.   Bob & Gene - It's Not What You Know (It's Who You Know)
B4.   Sharon Jones - How Long Do I Have to Wait For You
B5.   The Inversions - Conscience is Heavy