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Renegades - Knocking On My Door / Hopeton Lewis - Pick Yourself Up
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
The Renegades consisted of Winston 'Pipe' Matthews, Lloyd 'Bread' McDonald and George 'Buddy' Haye and later became a group called the Wailing Souls. ‘Knocking On My Door’ is one of their earliest Rocksteady works and it was originally released in 1966. It is also one of the rarest records hardly ever found. The record features previously unreleased Ska vocal recording ' Pick Youreself Up' by Hopeton Lewis from the original master tape.
Henry Buckley - Thank You Girl / Take Me Back
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$9.36)
Originally released in 1966 and reissued with same songs on both sides for the first time. This love song simply symbolizes fine style of the Merritone recordings.
Tico, Icchie, Chieko Beauty - Oliviawokikinagara / Tico, Icchie, Yoshie Nakano - Sweet Memories
Awdr / Lr2 / Jet Set JPN 2012
N/A
Tartans - I'm Ready / Rolling Rolling
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$9.36)
A debut song by Tartans, the group consisted of Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Berg Lewis. Beautiful Rocksteady songs on both sides. Interestingly, the master tape was credited under the name of “Eufhonies” instead of Tartans.
Hopeton Lewis - Don't Cry / A De Pon Dem
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
Hopeton Lewis’ vocal matches perfectly with alto sax, which you hear backing ‘Don’t Cry’. In addition to this minor-coded love song, the flipside features another rough and tough Rocksteady hit.
Hopeton Lewis, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Everybody Rocking / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Rocking Mood
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
A fantastic Rocksteady song by Hopeton Lewis. At that time, the song come out as a 7inch single and became a hard-to-find record. Featuring previously unreleased horn instrumental track on the B-side.
Johnny Osbourne - We Gonna Rock It Tonight (Dub Plate Playing) / We Gonna Rock It Tonight (Dub Plate Playing) Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1986
N/A
In the late 80's, not only Jammys but also many labels tried to score some hits by remake of a foundation rhythm 'Heavenless'. Among Jammys catalogue on this rhythm, 'We Gonna Rock It Tonight (Dub Plate Playing)' by Johnny Osbourne is known as the most popular number. Often hear sound systems playing this dub plates.
Pad Anthony - Murderer / Tullo T - None Ah Dat
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1987
N/A
King Jammy recorded two outstanding songs on the foundation ‘Heavenless’ rhythm among many others. Although Pad Anthony’s ‘Murderer’ is perhaps the most well known soundclash standard, Tullo T aka Papa Tullo showcased his conscious lyrics with fast-rapping style on the same rhythm.
Skatalites - Ska Easy (Coloured Vinyl) / Alton Ellis - Ska Beat
Randys US 1965
¥900 ¥2980 (US$20.22)
Riddim Tuffa, Little Kirk, Lt. Stitchie; Riddim Tuffa, El Fata - Real Dancehall Music; Give Me The Vibes / Riddim Tuffa, Diegojah - Nice Time; Version
Tuffa Dubs UK 2011
¥1800 (US$12.22)
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$13.44)
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.
Hopeton Lewis - Cool Collie / This Poor Boy
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1980 (US$13.44)
Originally released in 1966, 'Cool Collie' is sometimes considered as one of the first Rocksteady recordings. With hard hit paformance by the back band, Hepetone Lewis sings to free Ganja which is the one of the essential elements of Jamaican music tradition.B-side, Mr. Rocksteady performs a bitter love song in a minor key.
Minstrels, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Hey There Lonely Girls / Hey There Lonely Girls (Acappella)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
A very rare and beautiful Rocksteady tune that collectors are after for many years. The Minstrels released mere amount of records but all of them were top-notch recordings. This 1967 released powerful ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ is crucial for every Rocksteady fans. Acappella version of the song is included on the B-side.
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.
