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Renegades - Mr. Hops / Oswald Sewell - Oh My Love
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.92)
The Renegades consisted of Winston 'Pipe' Matthews, Lloyd 'Bread' McDonald and George 'Buddy' Haye and later became a group called the Wailing Souls. Definitely, ‘Mr. Hops’ is the most powerful Rocksteady vocal song among the whole Merritone catalogue. Originally released in 1966 and one of the rarest records you could never find. This record also features previously unreleased Ska vocal recording 'Oh My Love' from the original master tape.
Lynn Taitt, Jets - Bat Man / Joker
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
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.
Renegades - Big And Fine / Oswald Sewell - Where Can He Go
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.92)
The Renegades showcase one of their valuable early works to perfection. 'Big And Fine' was originally released 1966 and collectors would say the record is one of the most sought after records by the group. It also features Oswald Sewell 's previously unreleased Ska vocal material 'Oh My Love' from the original master tape on the B-side.
Zodiacs - Walk On By / Royals (Merritone Singers) - House Upon The Hill
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
This is a Rocksteady cut of the Zodiacs' 'Walk On By' released in 1967. They recorded the original Ska cut at Duke Reid's Treasure Isle. Rare Rocksteady classic with beautiful harmonies on a profound rhythm. On the B-side, this previously unreleased material 'House Upon The Hill' features an unknown vocal group called Merritone singers.
Eddie Perkins - I'm Coming Home / Merritone All Stars - I'm Coming Home Instrumental
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1380 (US$8.92)
Recorded in 1967 and previously unreleased material from the original master tape. This elegant but also distinctive recording is certainly incomparable to other recordings appeared during the Rocksteady era. Veteran singer, Eddie Perkins, started his career in the early 1960s and he worked with Alton Ellis as duo called Alton and Eddy.
J Boog - Let's Do It Again / Major Riddim Instrumental
Don Corleon / Buyreggae EU 2011
¥2080 (US$13.45)
Ernest Ranglin, Selected Group - Free Form / Skalvouvia
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
N/A
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.
Sharks - You Made Me Warm / Sharks, Federal Studio Orchestra - You Made Me Warm
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.57)
Previously unreleased early acoustic cut from master tape! Unprolific vocal group called Sharks (also spelled Sheiks) released the up-tempo original cut in 1965. The reissue features the original cut on the B-side and the early acoustic cut on the A-side. With raw double bass, deep acoustic guitar and backing chorus that reminds the chain gang work songs, the group sings astonishing love song. "I was so cold last night, You made me warm, with your heart, with your lips, with your charm"…The song purely transcends musical boundaries of the time and this is another Jamaican gem!
Jam Rock / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1987
N/A
From 1987, a piece of one-away digital fire, "Serious Thing" by Suru Board. Originally released on Tuff Gong studio's 56 Hope Road label, and produced by Tuff Gong mainstay and Jam Rock label boss Denzel Bowford, alongside the late Wailers' associate Trevor Bow. This is prime digital reggae, a scorching riddim with killer synths, and fantastic vocal from the young Suru Board (please note, the spelling of "Surn" Board on the original label was a typo!) Like the lyrics say, "serious mi serious, and me nah mek no joke!", serious digital reggae, deservedly available again.
Gladstone Anderson, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Glad Sounds
N/A
Trinidad born legendary guitarist, Lynn Taitt, who brought the first wave of Rocksteady to the Island, and Gladdy Anderson who is well known for a Skatalites' pianist, they both got together to record this Rocksteady instrumental album 'Glad Sounds' at Federal Studio in 1968. Released from the Merritone label, which was managed under the Federal. The album depicts the hay day and best sound of Rocksteady as well as label itself. First time to be reissued by Dub Store Records. The forth reissue of the Story Of Federal program by Dub Store Records. The original UK issue was released on the Big Shot label with a different jacket design. Album tracks consist mainly of cover versions of popular tracks, which were produced by Coxsone Dodd, Bunny Lee and Sonia Pottinger. Lynn Taitt and Gladstone Anderson added gentle flavors to their versions by their distinctive instrumental plays. Also Federal's recording facility made possible to maintain this sound quality. Certainly, this is another classic album to add to your collection shelf!!
Eric Monty Morris - Blackman Ska / A Spot In My Heart For You
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
N/A
Previously unreleased vocal materials from master tapes! Eric Monty Morris sings sufferers' protest song, "Blackman work so hard, but white man gets the money, the rich shall be richer, the poor shall be poorer, something must be done soon"… At the time, most of the artists including Eric Monty Morris mainly focused on singing about love but not about conscious themes so the recording was very exceptional. B-side features previously unreleased vocal material as well. It seems that both songs were recorded for the album "Jamaican Skarama (reissued by Dub Store Records: LP/CD503)" but did not end up on the album unfortunately.
Stranger Cole, Patsy, Skatalites - Word Is Wind / Dobby Dobson - Cry Another Cry
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
N/A
7inch single cut from the album "Jamaican Skarama", which was reissued by Dub Store Records on LP and CD in 2007. The great duo, Stranger & Patsy who recorded many classics during the 60's, sings another standard 'Word Is Wind'. Jamaican soul 'Cry Another Cry' by Dobby Dobson is featured on the B-side. Both songs are first time to appear on 7inch single.
Half Pint - One Big Ghetto / Tonto Irie - Ram Up Every Corner
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1984
N/A
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.
Banana Man - Musical Murder / Musical Murder Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1989
N/A
Although Banana Man is not a famous figure in the business as he was not a prolific artist, his funs still remember his soundsystem anthems and his unique name. ‘Musical Murder’ considerably one of his best works on the King Jammy’s digitally versioned ‘Wicked Can’t Run Awa’ rhythm.
Marcia Griffiths, Queen Ifrica - Round And Round / Shuga - Complicated Love
Penthouse / Rockers Island JPN 2011
N/A
Bunny Lie Lie - Something Gonna Happen / Scientist - Something Dub
High Power UK 1980
¥900 ¥1480 (US$9.57)
Monarchs, Drumbago All Stars - All Of Me / Sneer Towners - You Say Me Say
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.57)
Mid-tempo Ska song by a vocal group called The Monarchs. They only appear on this recording and the rest of information remains unknown. Side-b features previously unreleased version of Sneer Towners' 'You Say Me Say', which appeared on the album "Jamaican Skarama" reissued by Dub Store Records.
Pad Anthony - Murderer / Tullo T - None Ah Dat
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1987
N/A
King Jammy recorded two outstanding songs on the foundation ‘Heavenless’ rhythm among many others. Although Pad Anthony’s ‘Murderer’ is perhaps the most well known soundclash standard, Tullo T aka Papa Tullo showcased his conscious lyrics with fast-rapping style on the same rhythm.
Gregory Isaacs - Ruler / Ruler Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1989
¥1680 (US$10.86)
‘The Ruler’ by Gregory Isaacs was only available for listening on a LP album “Reggae Sound War: Electrocutioner Vol.2”. The reggae crooner gently buries idiot sound bwoys with his killer lyrics and stand tall as the Cool Ruler. Recorded to the same rhythm track ‘Running From Reality’ by Admiral Tibet.
Pad Anthony - Dangerous System / Dangerous System Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1987
N/A
While digital dancehall was gaining in popularity since 1985, Pad Anthony released a large number of classical songs with King Jammy. ‘Dangerous System’ is one of his major songs. The artist focuses on systematic oppression as his theme to deliver his warning lyrics to the same rhythm track ‘Like A Dragon’ by Wayne Smith and ‘History’ by Dennis Brown.
Little John - Come Do It To Me / Come Do It To Me Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1986
¥1680 (US$10.86)
Little John, who was one of the most remarkable figures at various sound system dances for his talent, delivers sorrowful vocal with his distinctive lyrical flow on this song ‘Come Do It To Me’. Recorded to a surging and whirling digital dancehall rhythm track ‘Screechie Across The Border’.