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Paragons, Lynn Taitt, Jets - We Were Meant To Be / We Were Meant To Be (Acappella)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
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.
Hopeton Lewis - This Music Got Soul / Rocksteady
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
'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.
Untouchables, Lynn Taitt, Jets - I Do Love You / Mackie Mackie
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
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.
Roland Alphonso - Stranger For Durango / Sounds Of Silence
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
'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.
J Boog - Let's Do It Again / Major Riddim Instrumental
Don Corleon / Buyreggae EU 2011
¥2080 (US$13.45)
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.
Termites - We Gonna Make It / Ethiopians - We Gonna Be Free
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
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.
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.
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.
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.
