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Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2560 (US$16.66)
Slim Smith - People Get Ready (Side A, B Label Reversed) / Errol Dunkley - I'm Going Home
Lee UK 1968
¥2250 (US$14.64)
Lynn Taitt, Jets - Bat Man / Joker
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.89)
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.
Gaylettes, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Silent River Runs Deep / I Like Your World
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.19)
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.
Desmond Dekker - Unity / Austin Faithful, Hippies - Ain't That Peculiar
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥2160 (US$14.06)
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.
Hopeton Lewis - This Music Got Soul / Rocksteady
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$14.19)
'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.
Phyllis Dillon - Rock Steady / Tommy McCook - Soul Rock
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
¥2160 (US$14.06)
Derrick Morgan - Want More / Roland Alphonso, Beveley's All Stars - Goodnight My Love
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥2160 (US$14.06)
Roland Alphonso - Sock It To Me / Spanish Tonians - Rudie Gets Plenty
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥2160 (US$14.06)
Roland Alphonso - Stream Of Life / Austin Faithful - I'm In A Rocking Mood
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥2160 (US$14.06)
Eddie Perkins - I'm Coming Home / Merritone All Stars - I'm Coming Home Instrumental
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1380 (US$8.98)
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.
Zodiacs - Walk On By / Royals (Merritone Singers) - House Upon The Hill
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.19)
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.
Renegades - Mr. Hops / Oswald Sewell - Oh My Love
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.98)
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.
Renegades - Big And Fine / Oswald Sewell - Where Can He Go
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.98)
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.
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.
Henry Buckley - Beware Of All Those Rude Boys / If I Am Right
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1980 (US$12.89)
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.
Roland Alphonso - Sai Pan / Black Brothers - Born To Rule
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.98)
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.
Ethiopians - You Got To Be Clean / Miss Nora
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.98)
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.