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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.
Johnny Scar - United Africa / Dub It In Africa
Solomonic / Dub Store Records JPN 1986
¥2680 (US$17.32)
Bunny Wailer, respectfully called “The Blackheart Man”, produced Johnny Scar’s one-off recording ‘United Africa’. The mystic singer wrote this heavy roots song and sang with his unique chant like a voice of the roots reggae icon, Burning Spear. And the song appeared as 12”on the Solomonic Production imprint in 1986.
Half Pint - One Big Ghetto / Tonto Irie - Ram Up Every Corner
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1984
N/A
Without mentioning Half Pint, the true story about the Jammys label can never be told. King Jammy adopted a classic song ‘Open The Gate’ and versioned the rhythm digitally. The young Half Pint claims this wild world is ‘One Big Ghetto’. On the flip side, Tonto Irie showcases his skillful and edgy lyrical flow to the same rhythm.
Sugar Minott - Conscious Lover / Pad Anthony - By Show Down
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1989
¥1280 (US$8.27)
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’.
Chaka Demus - Original Kuff / Original Kuff Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1989
N/A
In the period of Jammays golden era, Chaka Demus was a prolific artist among others like Admiral Bailey. At this time, Bobby Digital, who was often regarded as the right-hand man of King Jammy, had a popular 'Peanie Peanie' rhythm. 'Original Kuff' was recorded on this rhythm, which can be characterized by its minor chord baseline and choppy riffs and there Chaka Demus performs his catchy lyrics and melody smoothly.
Cout Sticky, Upsetters - Rockfort Psychedelion / Val Bennet, Upsetters - Val Blows In
Pressure Sounds UK 1969
N/A
Kiddus I - Fire Burn / Fire Burn Version
Shepherd / Dub Store Records JPN 1979
¥1980 (US$12.79)
12"single from the previously released album 'Rockers: Graduation In Zion 1978-1979 (DSR-LP-001)'. Kiddus I originally recorded 'Fire Burn' in 1973 but the master tape went missing. The song was re-recorded at Tuff Gong in 1978 for his debut album 'Jah Power, Jah Glory' but it remained unreleased. Surprisingly, the track has the same bassline to Bunny Wailer's 'Amagideon' and it is said Bunny adopted it from the 'Fire Burn', which were originally recorded in 1973. The most dreadful song amongst his unreleased material and 9 minutes of jazzy performance is just a miracle. The B-side contains a version to the A-side.
Al Campbell - Push Push / Tuff Scout All Stars - West End Lane Version
Tuff Scout UK 2012
¥1880 (US$12.15)
Jimmy London, Inspiration - Ain't No Love / Upsetters - Ain't No Love Version
Pressure Sounds UK 1970
¥1280 ¥1680 (US$10.85)
Robert Lee - Authentic Music / Tuff Scout All Stars - Real Dub Wise
Tuff Scout UK 2012
¥1580 ¥1880 (US$12.15)
Jennifer Lara - Woman Of The Ghetto / Jackie Mittoo, Sound Dimension - Side Walk Doctor Version
Dub Store Records JPN / Studio One 2004
¥2180 (US$14.09)
Desmond Dekker - Unity / Austin Faithful, Hippies - Ain't That Peculiar
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥1880 (US$12.15)
Mr. Vegas, Shaggy, Josey Wales - Sweet Jamaica (Remix) / Mr. Vegas - Sweet Jamaica
Clifford Ray 2011
N/A
Kiddus I - Jah Power, Jah Glory / Jah Power Version
Shepherd / Dub Store Records JPN 1979
¥1980 (US$12.79)
Kiddus I - Graduation In Zion (Cheer Up) / Graduration In Zion Version
Shepherd / Dub Store Records JPN 1985
¥2580 (US$16.67)
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.
Danny Red - I See The Light / Dougie Conscious - In The Light Dub
Ababajahnoi UK 2012
¥1380 (US$8.92)
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.
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$12.79)
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
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.
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$14.09)
Nitty Gritty - Good Morning Teacher / Good Morning Teacher Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1984
¥1280 (US$8.27)
Nitty Gritty output his hit songs like 'Hog In A Minty' and 'Run Down The World' at Jammys and he had chemistry with minor chord digital rhythms. 'Good Morning Teacher' on 'Stalag' rhythm is a superb song showcases his unique vocal style and lyrics.
Al Campbell - Crusing / Ebony Eyes
Peckings UK 2012
Don't Wait Around B: I've Got The Handle Info: Adapted
¥1980 (US$12.79)
Kiddus I - Give I Strength / Give I Strength Version
Shepherd / Dub Store Records JPN 1979
¥1980 (US$12.79)
This 12 minute version of 'Give I Strength' is different from the one previously appeared on the album ‘Rockers: Graduation In Zion 1978-1979 (DSR-LP-001)’. Kiddus I recorded the song for his debut album 'Jah Power, Jah Glory' but it remained unreleased. The most of recordings he did at this time was very long and Kiddus I recalls this was possible because he used to 'treat' those musicians in a hospitable manner. This allowed musicians to be very improvisational in their playing on songs written by Kiddus I. The B-side version has an instrumental to the A-side.