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Renegades - You've Lost The Love / Merritone Singers - Rude Boy A Wail
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. ‘You've Lost The Love’ 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 also features previously unreleased Ska vocal recording ' Rude Boy A Wail' by the Merritone Singers from the original master tape.
Eric Grant Orchestra - Cool At The Casa Montego
¥2880 (US$18.65)
A masterpiece of Jamaican Jazz recorded in 1960 by the Eric Grant Orchestra, resident band of the Casa Montego Hotel in Montego Bay. Rhythm & Blues, Jazz standards, Cha Cha Cha, Merengue and Calypso all combine in this wonderful amalgamation of sounds. Produced by the first Jamaican studio, Federal Records, and its founder Ken Khouri, it is now re-issued for the first time ever.
Hopeton Lewis - At The Corner Of The Street / Move Along With Me
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Merritone label endorsed the Hopeton Lewis as one of their star singers and here he left two of his last recordings for the Merritone label. Supposedly, both songs remain unreleased until this time and A-side features Hopeton’s dark gloomy vocal. On the B-side, ‘Move Along With Me’ is a solo version of duet ‘Right Track’ with Phyllis Dillon, which were recorded for Duke Reid. According to the master tape, the song was titled ‘Move Along With Me’ instead of ‘Right Track’.
Paragons - Talking Love / If I Were You
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
‘Talking Love’ is a classic hit recording and known as one of the songs that represents Merritone label. Originally released in 1967 and features a Jamaican Soul on the B-side from the master tape.
Henry Buckley - I'd Like To Know / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Soul Shot
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966/ 1967
¥1380 (US$8.94)
Although Hopeton Lewis recorded many songs for the Merritone, Henry Buckley was also a prolific singer who recorded many songs for the label. Federal was probably recording with him for his never released debut album. Side-B features a Rocksteady instrumental, which appeared on LynnTaitt’s debut album.
Tartans - Don't Take That Train / Rockin' Chair
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.94)
Unreleased songs by Tartans, the vocal group consisted of Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Berg Lewis. Originally, it was recorded in 1966. They sing another ‘train’ theme, which was fashionable at that time and about love gently and bitterly on the flipside.
Cynthia Schloss - No Brother No Cry / Chained To A Memory
Merritone (Org) 1980
No Woman No Cry Info: Original Press
N/A
Noel Bailey, Noel Elliott - People Let Love Shine / Jet Sets - Too Much
Moodisc US / Afro / Digikiller US / Depper Knowledge US 1971
N/A
Enforcer - Bad Boy; Bad Boy Dub (miss Label) (label Damage) / Little Roy - Leaving Rome; Leaving Rome Dub
Narrows / Digikiller / Depper Knowledge US 1980
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This Narrows 10-inch release features "Bad Boy", along with the two different dubs of the rhythm (one with horns!) as released on the original Narrows US and Regal UK singles respectively.
Enforcer - Pension; Pension Dub / Africa Way; Africa Way Dub
Narrows / Digikiller / Depper Knowledge US 1980
¥2180 (US$14.11)
"Africa Way" and "Pension", both out now for the very first time, and with dubs.
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.
Pheeroan Ak Leaf - House Of Spirit: Mirth
Universal Sound UK / Soul Jazz Records UK 1979
¥2480 ¥2180 (US$14.11)
Uplifters - Gallas Trap / Version
Narrows / Digikiller US / Depper Knowledge US 1980
N/A
Another gem from the Narrows catalog, the haunting "Gallas Trap" by Uplifters. A rare one released only on 12" in Brooklyn from Narrows' former Linden Blvd HQ, it's more killer early 80s sound laid down at Channel 1, back out now on a 7-inch.
Tartans - Real Gone Sweet / It's Not Right
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.82)
This vocal group called the Tartans was indeed a Rocksteady dream group that consisted of Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Berg Lewis. The veterans worked on this fine love song ‘Real Gone Sweet’ in their early career. Their energetic performance can be fully heard on their sweet harmonies.
Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Step Softly / Derrick Harriott - Walk The Streets
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Another enduring Rocksteady instrumental masterpiece by Bobby Ellis and Derrick Harriott’s timeless love song echoes sweet and bitter. Cool and dark ‘Step Softly’ is one of the most signature songs for Bobby Ellis and the greatest Rocksteady instrumental of all. The flip side is a best example of Harriott’s distinctive sound in Rocksteady era. The set of recordings are now reissued with original songs on both side.
Derrick Harriott - Solomon / Bobby Ellis, Jets - Emperor
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Derrick Harriott’s original cut to sound system foundation rhythm ‘Solomon’. Derrick sings comically about Solomon, who was given wisdom amongst of all mankind from God in the Old Testament: “Solomon was the wisest man but he didn't know the secrets of a woman” The hit rhythm has been versioned many times over last four decades. On side B, there is a nice & cool horn instrumental entitled ‘The Emperor’ by Bobby Ellis, its title might imply Derrick Harriott productions had a good taste in music at that time.
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$14.11)
