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Tomorrow's Children - Bang Bang Rock Steady / Rain (Rock Steady)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
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.
Roland Alphonso - How Soon / How Soon Part 2
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
Roland Alphonso has covered many songs with his own unique style from his early career. 'How Soon' is simply another beautiful instrumental cover performed by Roland. ‘How Soon Pt.2' is a previously unreleased take to the A-side. Released on Federal label in 1966 and reissued from the original master tape.
Roland Alphonso - Sai Pan / Black Brothers - Born To Rule
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.87)
This deep Ska instrumental 'Sai Pan' features a beautiful solo by Roland Alphonso. The most sought after record of Merritone Ska and a crucial for all Ska lovers. On the flipside, the record features a mid-tempo Rude Boy Ska anthem 'Born To Rule' by Black Brothers, the song was taken straight from the original master tape for this reissue. Another hard to find record released in 1966.
Ethiopians - You Got To Be Clean / Miss Nora
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.87)
Previously unreleased material from the original master tape. Ethiopians recorded a couple of songs for Merritone label in 1976. During this proto-reggae/roots period, they surprisingly recorded this roots song ‘You Got To Be Clean’ with lyrics referring to “Zion” in 1966. Side B is a love song that expresses sentimental feelings of a boy who fail in love with a girl.
Henry Buckley - Beware Of All Those Rude Boys / If I Am Right
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1980 (US$12.72)
Merritone label endorsed Henry Buckley as a star singer of the label during the Rocksteady period. He sings "Beware of all those rude boys going around with their guns, spoiling everybody's fun" to warn behaviors of Rude Boys. It seems Rudies were everywhere when the song was released in 1966. He also showcases his conscious lyrics with song ‘If I Am Right’. The artist tried to deliver profound messages to youths. Those recordings were taken straight from the original master tape for the reissue.
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.
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.
Renegades - Mr. Hops / Oswald Sewell - Oh My Love
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.87)
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.
Leggo Sounds / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1986
N/A
From 1986, "Joker Bad Boy" by Cane Juice. A tune which blew us away from first listen with an amazingly advanced digital riddim, played live and arranged by Leggo's longtime spar Flabba Holt of the Roots Radics. Cane Juice, long one of our favorite singers, sends a message about all false bad boys, with his infamous lyric "nuff bwoy a love up di gun but dem fraid a di bullet".
Phyllis Dillon - One Life To Live / Tommy McCook - My Best Dress
Treasure Isle 1969
B: My Best Girl
N/A
Cables - What Kind Of World / Lester Sterling, Skatalites - Peace And Love (Original Stamper)
Studio One 1968/ 1965
N/A
Sharks - You Made Me Warm / Sharks, Federal Studio Orchestra - You Made Me Warm
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.51)
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!
J Boog - Let's Do It Again / Major Riddim Instrumental
Don Corleon / Buyreggae EU 2011
¥2080 (US$13.36)
Leggo Sounds / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1986
N/A
As a long-time Orange Street producer, record store owner and then studio owner, Leggo has built a solid catalog of both wicked roots and dancehall, from the 1970's all the way thru the 1990's. For some time we've been huge fans of Leggo's productions, but as collectors we've found many of them inexplicably hard to find.
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.
Eddie Perkins - I'm Coming Home / Merritone All Stars - I'm Coming Home Instrumental
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1380 (US$8.87)
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.
Conroy Smith - Sugar Me / Sugar Me Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1989
¥1280 (US$8.22)
A few titles has been released on Suguar Minott’s ‘Conscious Lover’ rhythm but ‘Sugar Me’ by Conroy Smith is one of the most wanted records on the rhythm among collectors. On this smooth drifting rhythm, he sings mournfully but also with his sweet lyrics.
Sammy Levy, Marshall One - Love Is The Message / Version
Eclipse US / Gold Shop US 1988
¥900 ¥399 (US$2.56)
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.
Renegades - Big And Fine / Oswald Sewell - Where Can He Go
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.87)
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.
Sugar Minott - Conscious Lover / Pad Anthony - By Show Down
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1989
¥1280 (US$8.22)
Sugar Minott always showcased his versatile talent by singing lover’s rock to dancehall songs and attracted a variety of wide audiences. Certainly, he proves this ability on the ‘Tonight’ rhythm, which is regarded as one of the most popular rhythms among the Jammys catalogue. On the flip side, Pad Anthony sings a soundclash anthem to the same rhythm. The song only appeared on a LP album entitled ‘Sound Clash 89’.
J Boog - Waiting In The Rain / Protoje, Kymani Marley - Rasta Love
Don Corleon / Buyreggae EU 2011
N/A
Patrick Andy - Don't Worry Yourself; Dub / Leave The Door; Dub
Channel One / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US
N/A
A killer double sided 12-inch from Patrick Andy. Patrick did his best work for Channel 1, who put out a bunch of singles and two great showdown LP's featuring the youth.
Barry Brown - No No No / Dub
Channel One / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US
N/A
The wicked rhythm employed here is now well known via Dandy Lion's "Vibes", but "No No No" is one in a next set of tune Barry cut for the Hookims in the early 80s, in the wake of his massive hit tune "Far East" and the subsequent album of the same name. Some of these tunes ended up being Barry's side of the showdown LP with Little John, but the remainder were never released on vinyl, relegated to the dub room, and forgotten by all but the most astute sound tape listeners. Released here on crisp and loud dubplate-style ten-inch, straight from master tape.
Various - King Jammys Dancehall 1985-1989 (2 CD) (Gatefold Paper Sleeve)
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1985- 1989
¥2940 (US$18.89)
The "Digital Revolution" occurred in the Jamaican music industry by a single rhythm called "Sleng Teng". The responsible person for the rhythm was King Jammy who was the owner and producer of the Jammys label. The label dominated the scene between year 1985-1989 and released vast numbers of material. Dub Store Records compiles the best of the 80's heavyweight Dancehall from the Jammys catalogue. The collection consists of "Disc One: Vocals & Jeejay" and "Disc Two: Instrumental Dub Version". Each disc features popular songs and instrumental dub versions on "Hevenless", "Love Punanny Bad" and "Far East" rhythm. They also include rare collector's tunes like Anthony Johnson's 'Dancehall Vibes' and some of them are first time to appear on CD. This selection is crucial for all Dancehall lovers.
Johnny Melody (George Dekker) - Cover Your Mouth (Govern Your Motuh) / Larry Marshall - Money Girl
Beverleys UK 1967
¥2380 (US$15.29)
Skatalites - Black Joe (Coloured Vinyl) / Lord Creator - Passing Through
Randys US 1965
¥1980 (US$12.72)
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.
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.
Derrick Morgan - Want More / Roland Alphonso, Beveley's All Stars - Goodnight My Love
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥1880 (US$12.08)