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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.
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.
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.
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.
Andrew Bees - Life In The Ghetto
New Name / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1989
¥1680 (US$10.89)
Straight from Maxfield Avenue, 1989, Castro Brown's New Name Muzik outfit produced some of the best of the first wave of digital roots. Here are a couple of their finest outings. Andrew Bees has two of his finest tunes in "Struggle & Strive" and "Life in the Ghetto", both re-released here for the first time ever. These stand right beside his classic "Militant" on Music Lion as early classics of the emerging style.
New Name / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1989
N/A
Straight from Maxfield Avenue, 1989, Castro Brown's New Name Muzik outfit produced some of the best of the first wave of digital roots. Here we present what we believe are their finest outings. "Wickedness" by now needs no introduction, killer one-away style. Andrew Bees has two of his finest tunes in "Struggle & Strive" and "Life in the Ghetto", both re-released here for the first time ever. These stand right beside his classic "Militant" on Music Lion as early classics of the emerging style.
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.
Andrew Bees - Struggle And Strive
New Name / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1989
¥1180 ¥1380 (US$8.94)
Straight from Maxfield Avenue, 1989, Castro Brown's New Name Muzik outfit produced some of the best of the first wave of digital roots. Here are a couple of their finest outings. Andrew Bees has two of his finest tunes in "Struggle & Strive" and "Life in the Ghetto", both re-released here for the first time ever. These stand right beside his classic "Militant" on Music Lion as early classics of the emerging style.
Reggae George - Girl You're Too Young / Dub
Zion Yant / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1982
N/A
egendary and rare roots reggae tunes from 1982. Michael "Kush Dan I" Gardine produced himself doing the awesome "Jah Law of Love" at Tuff Gong to great effect, featuring fantastic instrumentation. Originally released only in tiny quantity on 45 in JA, it's back now, and featuring the same brilliant label art, faithfully reproduced in Jamaica from the original films! Around the same time, Kush also produced some tunes with Reggae George, most notably the well known "Three Wicked Men." But there is also this tune, "Girl You're Too Young", a killer slice of heavy lovers. Only ever dubiously released in Canada on a now very rare 12-inch, it's also back again, shedding some light on the under-appreciated artist and producer both.
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.
Kush Dan I - Jah Law Of Love / Jah Jah Dub
Zion Yant / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1982
N/A
egendary and rare roots reggae tunes from 1982. Michael "Kush Dan I" Gardine produced himself doing the awesome "Jah Law of Love" at Tuff Gong to great effect, featuring fantastic instrumentation. Originally released only in tiny quantity on 45 in JA, it's back now, and featuring the same brilliant label art, faithfully reproduced in Jamaica from the original films! Around the same time, Kush also produced some tunes with Reggae George, most notably the well known "Three Wicked Men." But there is also this tune, "Girl You're Too Young", a killer slice of heavy lovers. Only ever dubiously released in Canada on a now very rare 12-inch, it's also back again, shedding some light on the under-appreciated artist and producer both.
Phyllis Dillon - One Life To Live / Tommy McCook - My Best Dress
Treasure Isle 1969
B: My Best Girl
N/A
Roland Alphonso - Sai Pan / Black Brothers - Born To Rule
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.94)
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.
Robert Lee - Battlefield / Tuff Scout All Stars - A Battling Dub
Tuff Scout UK 2011
¥1880 (US$12.18)
J Boog - Let's Do It Again / Major Riddim Instrumental
Don Corleon / Buyreggae EU 2011
¥2080 (US$13.48)
Mighty Diamonds - Pass The Koutchie / Danger In Your Eyes
Music Works 1989
Full Up B: Danger In Your Eyes
¥1280 (US$8.29)
Yuka a.k.a Yukance from SNOB - Kunoichi Mix: Another Edition Nadeshiko
SNOB JPN 2011
¥1260 ¥899 (US$5.83)
