|
Don Drummond - Don D Special / Fidel
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2080 (US$13.37)
The miraculous take of 'Fidel' which never came out back then! This is one of the most killer yet wonderfully tasteful masterpiece out of all the Don Drummond recordings. You wouldn’t call them fans if they didn’t know about ‘Fidel’, however this particular version has only been released on CD in the 90’s when Sir Coxsone compiled the “In Memory Of Don Drummond”. The monumental piece with the well deserved name, ‘Don D Special’ on the flip.
Derrick Harriott - Some Guys Have All The Luck / Kim Harriott - Just Want To Be Your Joy
Crystal / Wild Flower / Dub Store Records JPN 1974/ 1975
¥2180 (US$14.01)
It is an obvious fact that Dreadlocks culture was the trend of the time when this tune was released, but how could we ever imagine Derrick Harriott wearing Dreadlocks? He was wearing Afro instead and showed how he could easily cover Persuaders’ Soul hit. The flip side features another cover of a US Soul track that was transformed to a sweet Lover’s Rock by Harriott’s relative, young Kim Harriott. Apparently Harriott’s surroundings at this time were all wearing Afro even if it was the Dreadlocks era.
Liberation Group - Namibia (Original Stamper) / Jay Tees - Buck Town Corner
Studio One 1977
B: Foggy Road
N/A
Charlie Organaire - Bad Boy Charlie / Soul Brothers - Thunderball
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2080 (US$13.37)
Double A-sided 7” featuring a killer Ska inst. From Jamaican harmonica virtuoso and Soul Brother’s killer horn Ska instrumental! One of the Studio One titles that the collectors have been looking everywhere to get hold of. Featuring no other than Rude Boy Charlie although it was stated as Bad Boy Charlie on the master-tape. An extremely rare take of Thunderball arranged by Jackie Mittoo on the flip side.
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.01)
The Soul Vendors’ horn inst cover of a mellow Latin tune, backed with the authentic Studio One Rocksteady masterpiece. This gorgeous horn inst Rocksteady features a superb arrangement from King Cannon a.k.a. Carl ‘Cannonball’ Bryan and Roland Alphonso. Like the originals on the other side here comes the one that Island was certainly familiar with back then, the Nat King Cole’s excellent vocal cover from the Hamlins.
Roland Alphonso - Ska Culation / Jack Sparrow - Ice Water
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$14.01)
The Skatalites’ killer shot interpretation of the world’s famous electric guitar inst, and the fully carnival-mode Ska played by a luxurious bunch of musicians. Originally played by the American electric guitar band, this is the proof of how Jamaicans won’t miss no trends. Guaranteed killer up-tempo Ska! Identical to the originals on flip by Jack Sparrow later known as Leonard Dillon of the Ethiopians, this praiseworthy piece features the Wailers on the backing vocal.
Joe Higgs - Dinah (Original Stamper) / Peter Austin, Freedom Singers - Have Faith
Studio One 1966
N/A
Derrick Harriott - Groovy Situation / Candy
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1970/ 1971
Info: Adapted
¥1980 (US$12.73)
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.
Bassies - Checking Out (Original Stamper) / Derrick Morgan - Darling You Are Mine
Studio One 1966/ 67
N/A
Gladstone Anderson, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Glad Sounds
N/A
Trinidad born legendary guitarist, Lynn Taitt, who brought the first wave of Rocksteady to the Island, and Gladdy Anderson who is well known for a Skatalites' pianist, they both got together to record this Rocksteady instrumental album 'Glad Sounds' at Federal Studio in 1968. Released from the Merritone label, which was managed under the Federal. The album depicts the hay day and best sound of Rocksteady as well as label itself. First time to be reissued by Dub Store Records. The forth reissue of the Story Of Federal program by Dub Store Records. The original UK issue was released on the Big Shot label with a different jacket design. Album tracks consist mainly of cover versions of popular tracks, which were produced by Coxsone Dodd, Bunny Lee and Sonia Pottinger. Lynn Taitt and Gladstone Anderson added gentle flavors to their versions by their distinctive instrumental plays. Also Federal's recording facility made possible to maintain this sound quality. Certainly, this is another classic album to add to your collection shelf!!
Ernest Ranglin - Mod Mod Ranglin
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 picked one of 10 pieces of the most important album of Reggae history.
David Anthony - All Night / Derrick Harriott, Crystalites - Tickler
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.73)
A fine vocal Rocksteady'All Night'is known as a killer dubplate owned by Duke Vin, who is regarded as a pioneer of sound system culture in UK. The flip side'The Ticker'was more popular than the A-side and in UK, allegedly no one else besides Duke Vin owned the vinyl until 90's. The song must have been a special attachment in his Dub Plate box.
Derrick Harriott - Let Me Down Easy / Crystal Generation - Hell Below
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1972
N/A
A classic Reggae Soul tune by Derrick Harriott is now reissued in an extended version which is connected to a tender dub afterword. The B-side features a unique and mysterious Funky Reggae instrumental by Crystal Generation, the special unit by Crystalites and Now Generation, which gave a taste of the new wave of Reggae that would arrive later in the decade.
Augustus Pablo - Bells Of Death / Scotty - Sesame Street
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1972/ 1970
N/A
Another popular tune in Harriott's production, performed by melodica wizard Augustus Pablo. Although this is another movie theme, this piece is a straight and great instrumental version of a Rocksteady classic, featuring melodica and bongo percussion. Scotty's wicked deejay appears on the B-side again.
Jennifer Lara - Woman Of The Ghetto / Jackie Mittoo, Sound Dimension - Side Walk Doctor Version
Dub Store Records JPN / Studio One 2004
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Sixy Morris - Me Nuh Response / Version
Blue Mountain / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1987
N/A
t's been a while since Digikiller issued any '80s digital tunes, but here's one of the rarest and best. Sixy Morris' tune was released on 7" in JA and on 12" in the UK. A great digital tune which combines elements of the classic late '80s digital sound with a bit of early '90s flavor, it's got a killer rolling bassline, great singing, and of course, the famous "scratching" fx!
Termites - We Gonna Make It / Ethiopians - We Gonna Be Free
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
The Termites consisted of Lloyd Parks and Wentworth Vernal and they recorded a very small amount of works except for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One. 'We Gonna Make It'is the rarest recording of the group on Merritone label. On the Side-B, the lead vocalist of the Ethiopians, Leonard Dillon sings 'We Gonna Be Free' with his familiar voice. Released in 1967.
Dynamites - Fountain Bliss / If You Did Love Me
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1980 (US$12.73)
Another rare recordings from Merritone label released in 1966, ‘Fountain Bliss’ is a heartful love song with cheerful piano and brass instruments. On the B-side, feartured nice saxsophone solo, a heartbreaking love song in Rude Boy Ska style performed by Daynamites.
Henry Buckley - I'd Like To Know / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Soul Shot
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966/ 1967
¥1380 (US$8.87)
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.
Derrick Harriott - Look Over Your Shoulders / Dancing The Reggae
Wild Flower / Dub Store Records JPN 1975/ 1976
N/A
It was the Dreadlocks bandwagon in the mid 70’s, but Harriott, who started his career in the music business in the early 50’s, persisted his Afro hairstyle and his signature style of music, Reggae Soul and Lover’s Rock. At that time, music fans only approved serious Roots works but his music choices proved that his production was equally true and great Reggae music. Moreover his music brought to listeners a certain comfort, compared to the heavy weight Roots music that was mainly produced during this period.
Johnny Osbourne - Road Block / Little John - Come Fe Mash It
Prince Jammys Dub / Dub Store Records JPN 1985
Billy Jean B: Stalag
N/A
Johnny Osbourne, who recorded many of numerous hit tunes for Jammys, sings a killer number 'Line Up', which is favored by 80's dancehall lovers. On the Side-B, Little John severely performs extraordinary dubplate special 'Come Fe Mash It' on 'Stalag' rhythm.
Bunny Wailer - Bide Up / Bunny Wailer, Big Youth - Bide
Solomonic / Dub Store Records JPN 1975
¥1980 (US$12.73)
Bunny followed 'Search For Love' with 'Bide Up' another emotional tour de force and with a message so different that it takes a while to fully assimilate. He would later recut the song for his classic solo debut album 'Black Heart Man' but this is the original cut in all its glory. The B-side features one of the two Big Youth versions to the song and the Youth is at his peak here as he reinforces Bunny's message with own his plea for greater understanding: "Be unto one another like a man to a brother…"
Wailers - Arabs Oil Weapon / Dubd - Version
Solomonic / Dub Store Records JPN 1976
¥1980 (US$12.73)
Prophetic, thought provoking and deeply disturbing Bunny pulls no punches on this release… nearly thirty five years later very little has changed. The chilling version echoes and expands the theme.
Renegades - Mr. Hops / Oswald Sewell - Oh My Love
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.87)
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.
Tartans - I'm Ready / Rolling Rolling
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.87)
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.
Tartans - Don't Take That Train / Rockin' Chair
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.87)
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.
Keith & Tex - Tonight / Lynn Taitt, Desmond Miles Seven - You've Caught Me
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
A star duo at the Harriott’s production, Keith & Tex’s‘Tonight’is also the everlasting masterpiece in the history of Reggae music. There were many essential songs in his production from 1967 to 68 but‘Tonight’is obviously the most indispensable one. Lynn Tait plays a beautiful instrumental version to Melodians’ hit ‘You’ve Caught Me’ on the flip side. Reissued with these original recordings on both sides.
Wayne Smith - Like A Dragon / Dennis Brown - History
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1985
¥1280 (US$8.23)
Originally, ‘Like A Dragon’ came out the Wayne Smith’s classical album [Undewr Mi Sleng Teng] while Dennis Brown’s ‘History’ on the flip side appeared in an album entitled ‘History’on the Live & Love label. Both titles are previously unreleased on 7inch vinyl record.