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Roland Alphonso - Stranger For Durango / Sounds Of Silence
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
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'Stranger For Durango is a bright instrumental performed by Roland Alphonso. Ska/Rocksteady lover's delight! The song also features remarkable solo on keyboard. The musician remakes Simon & Garfunkle's 'Sound of Silence' in a graceful Rocksteady style. Those recordings were originally released in 1966 and reissued from the original master tape.
Paragons, Lynn Taitt, Jets - We Were Meant To Be / We Were Meant To Be (Acappella)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
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One of the earliest works recorded by John Holt. This is a golden Rocksteady piece clearly depicts beautiful atmosphere that Federal Records always has kept in their recording material. The single was originally released in 1966 without this acappella version. Reissued from the original master tape.
Termites - We Gonna Make It / Ethiopians - We Gonna Be Free
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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The Termites consisted of Lloyd Parks and Wentworth Vernal and they recorded a very small amount of works except for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One. 'We Gonna Make It'is the rarest recording of the group on Merritone label. On the Side-B, the lead vocalist of the Ethiopians, Leonard Dillon sings 'We Gonna Be Free' with his familiar voice. Released in 1967.
Untouchables, Lynn Taitt, Jets - I Do Love You / Mackie Mackie
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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Some people perhaps recognize the Untouchables for their Early Reggae works for Lee Perry. This is another crucial rare record to be reissued among Merritone catalogue. Originally released in 1967.
Hopeton Lewis - This Music Got Soul / Rocksteady
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
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'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.
Roland Alphonso - How Soon / How Soon Part 2
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
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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$8.79)
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.
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$12.62)
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.
Gaylettes, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Silent River Runs Deep / I Like Your World
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
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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.
Ernest Ranglin, Selected Group - Free Form / Skalvouvia
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
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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.
Tomorrow's Children - Bang Bang Rock Steady / Rain (Rock Steady)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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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.
Hopeton Lewis, Merritone All Stars - Let Me Come On Home / Hardships Of Life
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
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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.
Tartans - Real Gone Sweet / It's Not Right
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.62)
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.
Cables - What Kind Of World / Lester Sterling, Skatalites - Peace And Love (Original Stamper)
Studio One 1968/ 1965
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Lynn Taitt, Jets - Bat Man / Joker
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
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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.
Don Henry, Lynn Taitt, Jets - As Long As I Live / Pulus - Sow To Reap
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967/ 1966
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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.
I Octane - No Love Inna Dem / Puff It
Cash Flow / Rockers Island JPN 2011
No Loe Inna Dem B: Orange Hill
N/A
Scorpion The Silent Killer - Scorpion All Dub Plate Volume 5
Scorpion The Silent Killer JPN 2011
¥1890 ¥1580 (US$10.07)
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$13.89)
Alton Ellis - La La Means I Love You / Melodians - Passion Love
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
La La Means I Love You/Precious
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