Derrick Harriott - Loser / Derrick Harriott, Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Now We Know
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.39)
‘The Loser’is gloriously considered as one of the most significant songs as well as rhythm tracks in the history of Reggae music. Also entitled as‘The Winner’, the song is easily adapted to sound system dubplates. Talking about the genre of Rocksteady, this song cannot be ignored.‘Now We Know’on the flip side is to be released on 7 inch single for the first time ever.
Keith & Tex - Tonight / Lynn Taitt, Desmond Miles Seven - You've Caught Me
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.39)
A star duo at the Harriott’s production, Keith & Tex’s‘Tonight’is also the everlasting masterpiece in the history of Reggae music. There were many essential songs in his production from 1967 to 68 but‘Tonight’is obviously the most indispensable one. Lynn Tait plays a beautiful instrumental version to Melodians’ hit ‘You’ve Caught Me’ on the flip side. Reissued with these original recordings on both sides.
Tomorrow's Children - Bang Bang Rock Steady / Rain (Rock Steady)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.39)
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.
Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Step Softly / Derrick Harriott - Walk The Streets
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.39)
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.
Derrick Harriott - Do I Worry / Bobby Ellis, Crystalites - Shuntin
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.39)
‘Do I Worry’is as important Rocksteady tune as Derrick Harriott’s other hit‘The Loser’in his vast catalog. The B-side features powerful horn blow and Bobby Ellis’ trumpet solo is nicely done. Reissued with these original recordings on both sides.
I Roy - Tougher Than Tough / Chosen Few - Do Your Thing
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1972
¥2180 (US$14.39)
Another cover version of an Isaac Hayes’ classic. I Roy is blasting an heavy-weight toasting over the Chosen Few's vocals on the A-side "Tougher Than Tough". A straight cover version by Chosen Few appears on the B-side.
Karl Bryan, Crystalites - Slippery / Crystalites - Tonight
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1969/ 1970
¥2180 (US$14.39)
'Slippery' is a beautifully arranged minor-chorded sax cut to Harriott production's classic rhythm, "Tonight." B-side is a piano instrumental version to the flip side.
Renegades - You've Lost The Love / Merritone Singers - Rude Boy A Wail
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$14.39)
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.
Derrick Harriott - Reach Out I'll Be There / Bobby Ellis, Crystalites - Illya Kuryakin
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.39)
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.
Chosen Few - Am I Black Enough / Psychedelic Train
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1972/ 1970
¥2180 (US$14.39)
Undoubtedly one of the best Funky Reggae tunes from Derrick Harriott's production, "Am I Black Enough" was originally a Billy Paul hit and has been covered by Derrick Harriott and Chosen Few who were into the Black Power movement at the time. The B-side "Psychedelic Train" is one of the earliest Funky Reggae instrumental songs which made Derrick Harriott recognized for his Funk-influenced style to listeners.
Junior Murvin - Jack Slick / Anthony Johnson - Dancehall Vibes
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1987
¥2180 (US$14.39)
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.
Hopeton Lewis - Cool Collie / This Poor Boy
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$14.39)
Originally released in 1966, 'Cool Collie' is sometimes considered as one of the first Rocksteady recordings. With hard hit paformance by the back band, Hepetone Lewis sings to free Ganja which is the one of the essential elements of Jamaican music tradition.B-side, Mr. Rocksteady performs a bitter love song in a minor key.
Gaylettes, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Silent River Runs Deep / I Like Your World
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.39)
Judy Mowatt used to form a group called the Gaylettes in her early career although she is known for touring all over the world as a member of I Threes and the Wailers. 'Silent River Runs Deep' is the most known song and a hit for the group. 'I Like Your World' was also originally released on the A-side of another record released on Merritone label. Those recordings of this double A-sided single are certainly great enduring female Rocksteady songs of all time.
Hopeton Lewis - This Music Got Soul / Rocksteady
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$14.39)
'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.
Cornell Campbell - Jah Jah Me Horn Yah / My Baby Just Care For Me
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN
¥2180 (US$14.39)
Junior Soul - Glendevon Special / Magic Touch
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.39)
As Junior Soul, Junior Murvin recorded definitely the greatest Rocksteady tune,「Glendevon Special」 on early days of his recording career. This tune is also unique among Derrick Harriott's catalog and it proves how wide varieties his production was. This song is rare that many collectors have been looking for years.
Johnny Osbourne - We Gonna Rock It Tonight (Dub Plate Playing) / We Gonna Rock It Tonight (Dub Plate Playing) Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1986
¥2180 (US$14.39)
In the late 80's, not only Jammys but also many labels tried to score some hits by remake of a foundation rhythm 'Heavenless'. Among Jammys catalogue on this rhythm, 'We Gonna Rock It Tonight (Dub Plate Playing)' by Johnny Osbourne is known as the most popular number. Often hear sound systems playing this dub plates.
Junior Soul - Hustler / Bongo Herman, Les - Home Sweet Home
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1969/ 1971
¥2180 (US$14.39)
The Hustler' is one of Junior Murvin's, who gained international success later in his career, earliest works and is a rare tune that collectors have been after for many years. Made in 1969, this is also one of most popular up-tempo early Reggae tunes and undoubtedly the masterpiece. The flip side is the version to the A-side that featured keyboard and percussion.
Half Pint - One Big Ghetto / Tonto Irie - Ram Up Every Corner
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1984
¥2180 (US$14.39)
Without mentioning Half Pint, the true story about the Jammys label can never be told. King Jammy adopted a classic song ‘Open The Gate’ and versioned the rhythm digitally. The young Half Pint claims this wild world is ‘One Big Ghetto’. On the flip side, Tonto Irie showcases his skillful and edgy lyrical flow to the same rhythm.
Chaka Demus - Original Kuff / Original Kuff Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1989
¥2180 (US$14.39)
In the period of Jammays golden era, Chaka Demus was a prolific artist among others like Admiral Bailey. At this time, Bobby Digital, who was often regarded as the right-hand man of King Jammy, had a popular 'Peanie Peanie' rhythm. 'Original Kuff' was recorded on this rhythm, which can be characterized by its minor chord baseline and choppy riffs and there Chaka Demus performs his catchy lyrics and melody smoothly.
Hopeton Lewis - Rock A Shacka / I Don't Want Trouble
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$14.39)
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.
Minstrels, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Hey There Lonely Girls / Hey There Lonely Girls (Acappella)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.39)
A very rare and beautiful Rocksteady tune that collectors are after for many years. The Minstrels released mere amount of records but all of them were top-notch recordings. This 1967 released powerful ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ is crucial for every Rocksteady fans. Acappella version of the song is included on the B-side.
Ernest Ranglin, Selected Group - Free Form / Skalvouvia
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2180 (US$14.39)
One of the most rare double A-sided singles recorded under direction of Ernest Ranglin, who was the musical director of Federal Recording Studio at the time. While this jazzy instrumental features superbsolos by trumpet and alto saxophone, Ernie leads this minor track from beginning to end and showcases his mighty guitar playing. On the flipside, remarkable solos by trumpet and alto saxophone are again featured on the bright mid-tempo track. The original 7inch format is almost impossible to find. These recordings are simply elegant Ska Instrumentals.
Bunny Wailer - Amagideon / Amagideon Dub
Solomonic / Dub Store Records JPN 1976
¥2680 (US$17.69)
Briefly available on a 12" Island single in the UK to promote Bunny's 'Black Heart Man' album but this is the first time it has been coupled with the awesome Sylvan Morris and Karl Pitterson mixed dub version that first appeared on Bunny's criminally neglected 'Dub D'sco' album. Here we have a totally different mix demonstrating the strength and ability of this authoritative rhythm to take any amount of interpretations. 'Amagideon' was also versioned by Augustus Pablo for his seven inch Message release 'Pablo's Armageddon'.
Wayne Smith - My Lord My God / My Lord My God Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1985
¥2180 (US$14.39)
Wayne Simth unexpectedly appeared on the top of dancehall scene with Jammys' monster rhythm 'Sleng Teng' in the mid 80's at one burst. Hardcore dancehall fans will recognize this song 'My Lord My God' on 'Screechie Across The Border' rhythm is one of the most popular songs within his Jammys' catalogue.