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Don Henry, Lynn Taitt, Jets - As Long As I Live / Pulus - Sow To Reap
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967/ 1966
N/A
Henry Buckley, who was also a Rocksteady star of the Federal in addition to Hopeton Lewis, released this up-tempo song 'As Long As I Live' in 1968. Remarkably, Judy Mowatt's the Gaylettes backed this song. 'Sow To Reap' was originally released on the B-side of Roland Alphonso's 'How Soon' in 1966 on Federal label. Reissued from the original master tape.
Tartans - Real Gone Sweet / It's Not Right
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$13.09)
This vocal group called the Tartans was indeed a Rocksteady dream group that consisted of Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Berg Lewis. The veterans worked on this fine love song ‘Real Gone Sweet’ in their early career. Their energetic performance can be fully heard on their sweet harmonies.
Joe Higgs, Lynn Taitt, Jets - You Hurt My Soul / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Why Am I Treated So Bad?
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$13.09)
Joe Higgs was a mentor for many young artists and taught them how to sing as well as about the recording industry. Many followed and learned his lessens and passed it on to coming generations. ‘You Hurt My Soul’ is one of his early recordings with his distinctive singing style. Side B is Merritone cut to the classic reggae instrumental ‘Bad Treatment’. The recordings were released in 1968 and reissued from the original master tape.
Hopeton Lewis, Merritone All Stars - Let Me Come On Home / Hardships Of Life
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
Leslie Butler's Jazz approach, which can be heard in the beginning, obviously secures elegance of 'Let Me Come On Home'. Hopeton Lewis also sings sufferer's song on the flipside. Both side are taken straight from the original master tape for this reissue.
Gaylettes, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Silent River Runs Deep / I Like Your World
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
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.
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 - Sai Pan / Black Brothers - Born To Rule
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$9.13)
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.
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.
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.
Ethiopians - You Got To Be Clean / Miss Nora
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$9.13)
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.
J Boog - Let's Do It Again / Major Riddim Instrumental
Don Corleon / Buyreggae EU 2011
¥2080 (US$13.75)
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.
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.
Henry Buckley - Beware Of All Those Rude Boys / If I Am Right
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1980 (US$13.09)
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.
Unity Sound - Bootleg Series Volume 20: Ghetto State Of Mind Culture Lovers Mix
Unity Sound JPN 2011
¥1050 ¥799 (US$5.28)
Mr. Vegas, Shaggy, Josey Wales - Sweet Jamaica (Remix) / Mr. Vegas - Sweet Jamaica
Clifford Ray 2011
N/A
Monarchs, Drumbago All Stars - All Of Me / Sneer Towners - You Say Me Say
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.79)
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.
Renegades - Mr. Hops / Oswald Sewell - Oh My Love
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$9.13)
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.
Terry Linen - Couldn't Be The Girl For Me / Danny Brownie, Dean Fraser - Girl For Me
Raggedy Joe 2003
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$9.79)
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!
Renegades - Big And Fine / Oswald Sewell - Where Can He Go
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$9.13)
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.
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
N/A
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.
Various - King Jammys Dancehall 1985-1989 (2 CD) (Gatefold Paper Sleeve)
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1985- 1989
¥2940 (US$19.44)
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.
Wayne Smith - Dancing Machine; Dub / Gilly Buchanan - Me No Mix: Dub
Tasha / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US
N/A
"Dancing Machine" by Wayne Smith and Gilly Buchanan's "Me No Mix", both on the same riddim, are now paired together. One of the best uptempo riddims of the era, if you listen closely you'll notice it's a re-working of the same riddim used for Midnight Riders' tune "Youthman Invasion".
Eddie Perkins - I'm Coming Home / Merritone All Stars - I'm Coming Home Instrumental
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1380 (US$9.13)
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.
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.