In 1954 Ken Khouri had numbered among the first far sighted entrepreneurs to produce mento records with local musicians (mento is Jamaica’s original indigenous music) before progressing to opening Jamaica’s first record manufacturing plant. Three years later he moved his operation to Foreshore Road (later renamed Marcus Garvey Drive) where, with the assistance of the inestimable Graeme Goodall, he updated and upgraded his recording studio. The importance of this enterprising move was critical to the development of Jamaican music and its influence both profound and far reaching.
“It was Ken Khouri’s Federal Recording Studio, the womb that gave birth to the talented writers, artists and musicians that gave Jamaica its musical identity.” Prince Buster
Federal Records was not only the place for the sound system men to record their music but it was also where they had their records manufactured and, consequently, the company enjoyed a near total monopoly on recording and record pressing in Kingston. In 1963 Ken Khouri sold his one track board to Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd, who established Studio One, and Ken imported the first stereo equipment to Jamaica and Federal began making stereo records. The following year WIRL (West Indies Records Limited) opened but the competition served to drive the company on to higher heights. Ken Khouri continued to work on his own productions and, in 1966, the seven inch release of Hopeton Lewis’ ‘Take It Easy’, recorded under the guidance of Trinidadian guitarist Lynn Taitt, ushered in the rock steady era.
These two essential albums showcase a stunning selection of well known hits, and not so well known rarities, from the vast Federal catalogue. All tracks have been transferred direct from the master tapes and assembled with the invaluable assistance of Ken Khouri’s son, Paul Khouri, who generously gave Dub Store unlimited access to the Federal tape vaults. The extensive liner notes feature extracts from extensive interviews with Paul Khouri whose knowledgeable recollections of working on Marcus Garvey Drive, not only as a producer but as an engineer and musician, are illuminating and educational. Both sets present an insight into the birth and growth of Federal Records and the Jamaican recording industry and are essential to an understanding of the real roots of reggae music.
Ken Khouri’s Federal Records gave Jamaica its musical identity
The Federal Record Manufacturing facility was the first pressing plant in Jamaica... their studio gave birth to mento, ska, rock steady and reggae of the highest calibre. This album features an astonishing selection of well known classics and rarities which majority of them transferred straight from their master tape
21 TRACKS:
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1)
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Roland Alphonso - Sai Pan
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2)
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The Renegades (13) - You've Lost The Love
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3)
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The Ethiopians - You Got To Be Clean
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4)
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Henry Buckley - Beware Of All Those Rude Boys
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5)
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The Tartans - What You Gonna Do Now
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6)
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Roland Alphonso - Stranger For Durango
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7)
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The Renegades (13) - Knocking On My Door
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8)
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The Soul Brothers - Shanty Town Curfew
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9)
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Oswald Sewell - Where Can He Go
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10)
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Henry Buckley - If I Am Right
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11)
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Roland Alphonso - How Soon
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12)
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Pulus - Sow To Reap
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13)
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The Renegades (13) - Big And Fine
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14)
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Black Brothers - Born To Rule
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15)
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Laxton Ford - Finders Keepers
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16)
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Hopeton Lewis - Run Down
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17)
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Oswald Sewell - Oh My Love
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18)
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Hopeton Lewis - Pick Yourself Up
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19)
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The Tartans - Dance All Night
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20)
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The Tartans - What Can I Do
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21)
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The Federal All Stars - Merritone False Starts 1
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Dave Barker
Your Love Is A Game
(7")
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Various
Well Charged Channel One (1974-1978)
(LP)
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Gold Connection
Gold Connection
(CD)
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Leslie Butler
We've Only Just Begun
(CD)
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Polylined Card Sleeve
7" Handmade Brown Polylined Card -- Yellow Edge QTY. 50 (Made in Japan)
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Eric Grant Orchestra
Cool At The Casa Montego
(CD)
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Cecil Lloyd
A Night In Jamaica With Cecil Lloyd
(CD)
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Rico Rodriguez & Friends
Unreleased Early Recordings: Shuffle & Boogie 1960 (10"LP)
(LP)
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Gregory Isaacs
Warning
(LP)
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Ernest Ranglin
Guitar In Ernest
(CD)
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Skatalites
Man In The Street
(7")
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Cecil Lloyd
A Night In Jamaica With Cecil Lloyd (jacket Damage)
(LP)
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Ernest Ranglin
Softly With Ranglin
(LP)
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Various
High Note Mento Collection (2CD)
(CD)
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Lloyd Robinson
Cuss Cuss
(7")
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Gaylads
It's Hard To Confess
(7")
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Jo Jo Bennett
Cantelope Rock
(7")
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Jo Jo Bennett, Fugitives
Lecture Me
(7")
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Slim Smith, Uniques
Give Me Some More Loving
(7")
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Bob Marley, Wailers
Bus Dem Shut
(7")
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Divider
CD White Plastic Divider (Spine Up)
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Cleaner
CD Cleaner Cloth
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Sleeves
CD Sleeves (10-pack)
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Polylined Paper Sleeve
CD White Polylined Paper
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