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Dennis Brown - Lips Of Wine / Crystalites - Stranger In Town
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1970
¥1380 (US$8.94)
Being known as Crown Prince of Reggae, this is Dennis Brown's commemorated first single and it was written and composed by Dennis himself. This is, of course, before he started recording at Studio One and is one of his best heartwarming songs. Crystalites' killer keyboard instrumental is featured on B-side and has been admired to listeners who have great appreciation for 1969-70’s up-tempo instrumentals.
Protoje, Don Corleon - Our Time Come / Protoje, Romain Virgo - Reggae Revival
Don Corleon / Buyreggae EU 2012
¥1880 (US$12.17)
Hopeton Lewis - Take It Easy With The Rock Steady Beat
N/A
A fundamental album released in 1966 that determined the way Rocksteady was going to journey. In 1966, Rude Boys were at the peak of the fame with their notorious behaviors, while Ska gradually started to slow down its tempo. This album paved the way for a newborn music, Rocksteady, with rather slower and tighter rhythm approach. This album should be considered as one of the ten most important albums in Reggae history. The descent from Ska, which had its derivation from Jazz or Rhythm and Blues, to Rocksteady, with its various potential elements which would be passed to the next decade of Reggae, has been allegedly created in this album with Trinidadian guitarist Lynn Taitt and his band The Jets as the backing band. Entitled “Take It Easy With The Rock Steady Beat!”, most of the tunes featured in this album were written for praising dancehall as if he’d have known this genre was going to rule the dance floors. Among the tunes in this album, “This Music Got Soul” was the coolest of all and called out the dawn of the Rocksteady era. This tune had a huge influence on the future developments of Reggae music.
Kymani Marley, Professor, Protoje - Rub A Dub Soldier / Kymani Marley - War
Don Corleon / Buyreggae EU 2012
¥1380 (US$8.94)
Marcia Griffiths - It's Too Late Baby (Press Noise)
Harry J 1975
Info: Adapted, Carol King
¥680 ¥1680 (US$10.88)
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.
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.
Derrick Harriott - Loser / Derrick Harriott, Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Now We Know
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
‘The Loser’is gloriously considered as one of the most significant songs as well as rhythm tracks in the history of Reggae music. Also entitled as‘The Winner’, the song is easily adapted to sound system dubplates. Talking about the genre of Rocksteady, this song cannot be ignored.‘Now We Know’on the flip side is to be released on 7 inch single for the first time ever.
Keith & Tex - Goodbye Baby / What Kind Of Fool
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$12.82)
‘Goodbye Baby’ is another train theme Rocksteady by Keith & Tex who were expert at singing that subject just like their other classic ‘Stop That Train.’ The flip side features a mid-tempo Rocksteady that might sound monotonous in a way but is matching its lyrics beautifully.
Derrick Harriott - Groovy Situation / Candy
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1970/ 1971
Info: Adapted
¥1980 (US$12.82)
Covering US hits was Derrick Harriott's specialty and this tune is no exception. This is his cover version of Gene Chandler's hit that was popular on the radios at the time in Jamaica. B-side features early Lovers Rock tune by Derrick Harriott.
Derrick Harriott - Message From A Black Man / Message From A Black Man (Miss Credit)
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1970
¥1980 (US$12.82)
American Civil Rights Movement hit Jamaica in late 60's and this tune is undoubtedly one of the best Funky Reggae tunes produced by Derrick Harriott. It is the best example of how Derrick was influenced by the Black Power Movement. B-side features a great Funky Reggae Soul performed by Chosen Few. From that time, Derrick started establishing a genre called "Reggae Soul."
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$14.11)
Jimmy Rockstone, Shaka Blckskin - Yu Jus A Kill Kill
Grass Hopper Records (Org) 1991
Info: Original Press
N/A
Cynthia Schloss - No Brother No Cry / Chained To A Memory
Merritone (Org) 1980
No Woman No Cry Info: Original Press
N/A
Alton Ellis; Augustus Pablo - Too Late To Turn Back Now; Too Late / Mr. Ska Beana
All Tone UK 1972/ 1979
Tisha'n - Prodigal Son (Bside)
¥2480 (US$16.06)
Keith & Tex - Hypnotizing Eyes / Down The Street
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
By Keith & Tex, a vocal duo who represented Derrick Harriott's production, 「Hypnotizing Eyes」 was a hugely popular tune released at the end of Rocksteady era. The B-side,「Down The Street」was a pioneering sound of up-tempo Reggae that became the major style in 1969. From 1968 to 69, they recorded enough songs to make an album and amazingly all of them were top-notch. Re-issued original songs on both sides.
Ramon, Crystalites - Golden Chickens / Bongo Herman, Les - Hail I
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1970
¥1380 (US$8.94)
Minor chorded and wicked organ instrumentals by Crystalites. It is worth to be mentioned that in this song, listeners can experience the rare toasting of Ramon The Mexican who was the resident deejay at Harriott's Musical Chariot Sound System and later changed his name to Ambelique. Both sides are the two of the best Early Reggae tunes.
Sunset The Platinum Sound - Forward Japanese Dancehall
Sunset The Platinum Sound JPN 2012
¥1944 ¥999 (US$6.47)
