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Okawa & The Rulers - 白い花 (Mussieu A Tet'a Poisson La) / Smiling
Down Beat Ruler Records JPN 2016
¥1620 (US$10.49)
Mafia & Fluxy - Nelson Mundela (Tribute To Priunce Buster) (Dub Straight) / (Pharmacist Mix)
Mafia & Fluxy UK 2017
¥1380 (US$8.94)
Owen Gray - Give Me A Little Sign / Raver
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.12)
A perfect, yet low-keyed, Studio One Rocksteady double A-sided masterpiece!! Recorded in 1967 while Clement Dodd and Soul Vendors were on tour in the UK. The former Jamaican popular singer Owen Gray, who had already been living there then, voiced these unique pieces. It sounds very different from the ones recorded at Brentford Road, although both tunes certainly have the “Coxsone Sound” – A masterpiece that is refined, and maximize the talent of this one-time star. Only ‘The Raver’ was recorded from the original master-tape.
Cornell Campbell - Jah Jah Me Horn Yah / My Baby Just Care For Me
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN
¥2180 (US$14.12)
Pan American Astronaut Orchestra - Tour Of Jamaica / Under My Skin
Pan America Recordings JPN 2012
¥1296 (US$8.39)
Love Experience - Are You Together For The New Day? / 87th Off Broadway - Moving Woman
¥2180 (US$14.12)
Gaylads - Looking For A Girl / Aren't You The Guy
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.12)
For all collectors here is a great reissue of rare rocksteady from The Gaylads. Wonderful chorus works by the group that are thought to be some of the greatest works the Gaylads after Studio One era.
Ronald Downer & Count Ossie, Lennie Hibbert - A Ju Ju Wa / A Ju Ju Wa (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.12)
Joe Higgs - Don't Come To My House No More / Conquerors - Listen To Me Baby
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.23)
Admiral Tibet - Victim Of Babylon / Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1991
N/A
It is impossible not to mention Admiral Tibet when talking about Jammy’s golden digital era in the 80’s. With hits like “Running From Reality” and “Reality Time”, this is indeed another killer piece he recorded for Jammy. Working in combination with a jaunty rhythm with rough and tough bassline, the vocal instantly becomes prominent with its unforgettable chorus bringing even more drive to the music. When listening to the version on the flip, there is a great appreciation for utter simplicity in how Jammy builds his rhythms.
Hux Brown - Drugs Man / Tinga Stewart - Weird World
Power Pack / Dub Store Records JPN 1971
¥1980 (US$12.82)
Johnny Osbourne - All I Have Is Love / Sparkers - Dig It Up
Spade / Reggae Fever EU 1969
¥1480 (US$9.58)
Minstrells - People Get Ready / Hamlins - Everyone Got To Be There
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.12)
Studio One’s golden Rocksteady cover; even hipper and cooler than the original by the Impressions. The original has been known for its excellent lyric and melodies, thanks to the composer Curtis Mayfield, however the Minstrells brought this to a total perfection. Even though the Minstrells left us a small number of recordings, the great vocal group had such a high standard for every single one of them. If you’ve listened to the original press of this tune, you will find the intro has been cut, unfortunately that was the same deal for the master-tape itself. The nice rocksteady by the firm but short-lived Hamlins comes on the other side. Both have been recorded from the original master-tapes.
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.12)
The Soul Vendors’ horn inst cover of a mellow Latin tune, backed with the authentic Studio One Rocksteady masterpiece. This gorgeous horn inst Rocksteady features a superb arrangement from King Cannon a.k.a. Carl ‘Cannonball’ Bryan and Roland Alphonso. Like the originals on the other side here comes the one that Island was certainly familiar with back then, the Nat King Cole’s excellent vocal cover from the Hamlins.
Michael White - Cease Your Fire Arms / Clive Hylton - Slavery
High Music / Dub Store Records JPN 1982
¥1580 (US$10.23)
Ronald Downer, Count Ossie, Lennie Hibbert - Ethiopian Kingdom / Ethiopian Kingdom (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2080 (US$13.47)
Family Man, Knotty Roots - Distant Drums / Version
Fam's / Dub Store Records JPN 1973
¥2180 (US$14.12)
A nyabingi style killer instrumental of the roots classic Love Thy Neighbours by Jesus Dread a.k.a. Vivian Jackson.Created by a combination – the diversity of a series of personalities of the Wailers with the strict Rastaman, Vivian Jackson, this authentic Rastafari sound comes with no compromise.
Horace Andy - Unity, Love And Strength / I Stand Before You
Federal / Dub Store Records JPN
¥2180 (US$14.12)
Not only reggae fans have been after the reissue of this lovers roots classic. “Unity, Love and Strength” starts with smooth piano into sweet dramatic vocal piece backed by the Wailers band. Horace Andy’s falsetto is the perfect touch to this masterpiece.
Hopeton Lewis - This Music Got Soul / Rocksteady
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
'This Music Got Soul' is one of the earliest works by Mr. Rocksteady aka Hopeton Lewis. Interestingly, some would even say 'This Music Got Soul' is his debut single. When the song was released in 1966, it seems that the musical term "Rocksteady" did not exist but this classic clearly proves a new wave of Rocksteady was coming very near. The artist also sings 'Rock Steady' to highly praise the new genre. Reissued from the original master tape.
Tartans - Dance All Night / What Can I Do
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.94)
‘Dance All Night’ is a hit song released by the Tartans, a Rocksteady legendary group that consisted of Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Lindberg Lewis, in 1966. Emphasized on double basses and piano, the song was made to praise sound system dances and it became one of the good old Rocksteady anthems of the Rude Boy era. On the B-side, the group sings ‘What I can do to save your life’ and warns rude boys for their action.
Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Step Softly / Derrick Harriott - Walk The Streets
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
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.
Millions - Love Of Jah Jah Children / Love Of Jah Jah Children Version
Typhoon / Dub Store Records JPN 1973
¥2080 (US$13.47)
Junior Murvin - Jack Slick / Anthony Johnson - Dancehall Vibes
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1987
N/A
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.
Prince Junior - Crucial Boy / Crucial Boy Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1985
¥1280 (US$8.29)
Prince Junior’s ‘Crucial Boy’ appeared on the King Jammy’s classic LP [Prince Jammy Presents VOL. 2]. Although he recorded a few songs for King Jammy in 1986, much information about the artist remains unknown. However, this ‘crucial ’song preaches equal rights, Justice and Love & Unity over his high-pitched weeping voice with his conscious and profound lyrics.
Burro Banton - Praise Up Jah Jah
Stereo One 1985
¥1280 (US$8.29)
Another extremely rare take to the identical title released on Wild Apache that is known for being played by the mighty Jah Shaka at his sessions. Comparing to the other Stereo One tunes released around the same time, this one is really fantastic and luring, also complimented by refined deejaying Burro Banton. This one will stand as the definition of heavy weight ragga!
Phyllis Dillon - Rock Steady / Tommy McCook - Soul Rock
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
¥1680 (US$10.88)
Skatalites - Black Joe (Coloured Vinyl) / Lord Creator - Passing Through
Randys US 1965
¥1980 (US$12.82)