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Renegades - You've Lost The Love / Merritone Singers - Rude Boy A Wail
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
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The Renegades consisted of Winston 'Pipe' Matthews, Lloyd 'Bread' McDonald and George 'Buddy' Haye and later became a group called the Wailing Souls. ‘You've Lost The Love’ is one of their earliest Rocksteady works and it was originally released in 1966. It is also one of the rarest records hardly ever found. The record also features previously unreleased Ska vocal recording ' Rude Boy A Wail' by the Merritone Singers from the original master tape.
Hopeton Lewis - At The Corner Of The Street / Move Along With Me
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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Merritone label endorsed the Hopeton Lewis as one of their star singers and here he left two of his last recordings for the Merritone label. Supposedly, both songs remain unreleased until this time and A-side features Hopeton’s dark gloomy vocal. On the B-side, ‘Move Along With Me’ is a solo version of duet ‘Right Track’ with Phyllis Dillon, which were recorded for Duke Reid. According to the master tape, the song was titled ‘Move Along With Me’ instead of ‘Right Track’.
Paragons - Talking Love / If I Were You
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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‘Talking Love’ is a classic hit recording and known as one of the songs that represents Merritone label. Originally released in 1967 and features a Jamaican Soul on the B-side from the master tape.
Jennifer Lara - Woman Of The Ghetto / Jackie Mittoo, Sound Dimension - Side Walk Doctor Version
Dub Store Records JPN / Studio One 2004
¥2180 (US$14.14)
Tomorrow's Children - Bang Bang Rock Steady / Rain (Rock Steady)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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Tomorrow's Children were probably favored by uptown youths rather than downtown Rudies because of their funky, hard hitting sounds and lyrics. With those elements, they successfully created own killer style, which can be undoubtedly heard with ‘Bang Bang Rock Steady'. The group also versioned the Beatles' 'Rain' in fine Rocksteady style. The original record was released in 1967.
Hopeton Lewis - Rock A Shacka / I Don't Want Trouble
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.95)
Those rare songs did not appear Hopeton Lewis’s classic Rocksteady album Take It Easy. ‘Rock A Shacka’ is truly a Rocksteady classic of all times. It’s a must item for all Rocksteady fans. With his dearest hope, he calmly sings ‘I don’t want no trouble now, no no no. I just can’t take troubles now, no no no. So let’s together in unity, let’s togther in prosperity’ backed by version accompanying heavy bass.
Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Step Softly / Derrick Harriott - Walk The Streets
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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Another enduring Rocksteady instrumental masterpiece by Bobby Ellis and Derrick Harriott’s timeless love song echoes sweet and bitter. Cool and dark ‘Step Softly’ is one of the most signature songs for Bobby Ellis and the greatest Rocksteady instrumental of all. The flip side is a best example of Harriott’s distinctive sound in Rocksteady era. The set of recordings are now reissued with original songs on both side.
Henry Buckley - I'd Like To Know / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Soul Shot
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966/ 1967
¥1380 (US$8.95)
Although Hopeton Lewis recorded many songs for the Merritone, Henry Buckley was also a prolific singer who recorded many songs for the label. Federal was probably recording with him for his never released debut album. Side-B features a Rocksteady instrumental, which appeared on LynnTaitt’s debut album.
Tartans - Don't Take That Train / Rockin' Chair
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.95)
Unreleased songs by Tartans, the vocal group consisted of Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Berg Lewis. Originally, it was recorded in 1966. They sing another ‘train’ theme, which was fashionable at that time and about love gently and bitterly on the flipside.
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$14.14)
Slim Smith - People Get Ready (Side A, B Label Reversed) / Errol Dunkley - I'm Going Home
Lee UK 1968
¥1980 (US$12.85)
Love Experience - Are You Together For The New Day? / 87th Off Broadway - Moving Woman
¥2180 (US$14.14)
Lynn Taitt, Jets - Bat Man / Joker
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
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Lynn Taitt remakes theme songs from the movie "Batman" in killer Rocksteady style. Those cheerful instrumentals, which well represent the distinctive sound of Marritone label, were originally released in 1968.
Roland Alphonso - Stranger For Durango / Sounds Of Silence
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
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'Stranger For Durango is a bright instrumental performed by Roland Alphonso. Ska/Rocksteady lover's delight! The song also features remarkable solo on keyboard. The musician remakes Simon & Garfunkle's 'Sound of Silence' in a graceful Rocksteady style. Those recordings were originally released in 1966 and reissued from the original master tape.
Derrick Harriott - Do The Jerk / Derrick Harriott, Paulette - Dance Romeo
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1965/ 1962
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This reissue features a cool vocal Ska song from 1964 and Jamaican Soul song by boy and girl duo recorded in 1962. Amount of releases was not so remarkable for Derrick Harriott in the Ska era, which could be said as a blank period of his career but despite of the fact, this is simply an authentic and cool minor code dance anthem. The flip side features an excellent Soul duet that was an unusual set at the time. This hot dance number was played in early days of sound systems.
Keith & Tex - Stop That Train / Bobby Ellis, Jets - Feeling Peckish
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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Without any explanation, ‘Stop That Train’ by Keith & Tex is a true Rocksteady classic of all times. The song stands tall in Reggae music history and a biggest hit among Derrick Harriott’s catalogue. Side B features Memphis Soul Rocksteady instrumental, just like a trendy song from Stax Records. Now reissued for the first time with these original recordings on both sides.
Derrick Harriott - Reach Out I'll Be There / Bobby Ellis, Crystalites - Illya Kuryakin
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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Derrick Harriott versions a Motown hit ‘Reach Out I Will Be There’. His killer version is a dancehall shaker and many might has been searching for this rare vinyl records as an essential for DJ selection. The Four Tops originally released the song in the mid 60’s. The mid-tempo organ instrumental ‘Illya Kuryakin’ feartures Ike Bennet’s powerful organ solo on the filpside.
Junior Murvin - Jack Slick / Anthony Johnson - Dancehall Vibes
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1987
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Junior Marvin is apparently more known for his 70's work but he continued his career while dancehall period and released album 'Apartheid' at Jammys. This heavy weight dancehall song 'Jack Slick' was on the album and released on 12" single vinyl. On side B, 'Dancehall Vibes' by Anthony Johnson on the same rhythm with different arrangements was only released on 12" single vinyl.
J Boog - Let's Do It Again / Major Riddim Instrumental
Don Corleon / Buyreggae EU 2011
¥2080 (US$13.49)
Jackie Opel - I Love Jamaica / Roland Alphonso - El Pussy Cat
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1962/
¥1880 (US$12.20)
Chase Cross, Wayne Marshall - Hate Me / Elephant Man, Chi Ching Ching - Too Many Men
Yard Vybz / Buyreggae EU 2011
¥1380 (US$8.95)
Tarrus Riley - Chant Rastafari / Prophecy Fulfill
Maximum Sound UK 2012
Rude Bwoy Be Nice B: Most Royal
¥900 ¥699 (US$4.54)
Mark Holder - I Just Called To You Say I Love You / Let True Love Again
Info: Adapted Info: Original Press
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