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Glenn Riccs - I've Been Waiting For You / I've Been Waiting
Seraf (Org) 199-
Info: Original Press
N/A
Owen Gray - Give Me A Little Sign / Raver
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.00)
A perfect, yet low-keyed, Studio One Rocksteady double A-sided masterpiece!! Recorded in 1967 while Clement Dodd and Soul Vendors were on tour in the UK. The former Jamaican popular singer Owen Gray, who had already been living there then, voiced these unique pieces. It sounds very different from the ones recorded at Brentford Road, although both tunes certainly have the “Coxsone Sound” – A masterpiece that is refined, and maximize the talent of this one-time star. Only ‘The Raver’ was recorded from the original master-tape.
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.00)
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$14.00)
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.
Don Drummond - Don D Special / Fidel
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2080 (US$13.36)
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.
Jackie Mittoo - Chinese Chicken / Put It On
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2080 (US$13.36)
The killer Rocksteady-Ska like a vital bridge between both of them, backed with a Mittoo’s nice vocal tune. Throned from the Skatalites to the Soul Vendors, this is the last form of the Studio One Ska and it’s very much like the Soul Vendor’s party piece. Along with the B-side, Jackie Mittoo had directed both and his marvelous creativity can be seen allover. Each of them recorded from the original master-tape.
Beenie Man - Woman Adi House / Assassin (Agent Sasco) - Deh Pan Di Hustling
Markus / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥980 ¥699 (US$4.49)
Delroy Wilson - Give Me Your Love / Version
Sir Collins / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1977
N/A
The mighty Delroy Wilson, one of Jamaica's biggest artists. "Give Me Your Love" was released on a Delroy LP again on the WARICKA label, which was mostly sold as a blank label pre-release with no cover, although copies with labels and/or a silk-screened cover also exist. This is a phenomenal cut on the mournful and heavy 'Artibella' rhythm, with a killer organ sound that we just love. This tune is backed by a dub cut with horns and bongos, lifted from an extremely rare blank-label Sir Collins compilation LP. We've heard tell that the vocal cut also comes on blank label pre-release 7-inch, but haven't seen it. Can anyone confirm? In any case this tune is one of our favorite of its era, essential to any Delroy Wilson selection.
Tarrus Riley - Gimme Likkle One Drop / Chronixx - Ain't No Giving In
Chimney Records / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.08)
Leslie Butler - We've Only Just Begun
N/A
Because of his superior talent and intense personality, one of the most ingenious pianists Leslie Butler had a lack of releases, however he was given an exceptional chance by the Federal Records to record this one of the most peculiar albums in the history of Jamaican music. This beautifully finished Jamaican Jazz Funk/Rare Groove album is mostly constructed with the traditional covers that all Jamaicans will know although with the wonderful arrangement, and very Jamaican, ensemble stripping aesthetics give the album a whole new character that can’t be heard elsewhere.This masterpiece should make it to the shelves of not only reggae fans but soul and jazz fans as well. Leslie always committed on making a serious piece of music - never liked to make either of Jamaican popular music or business-like commercial music. He had a strong belief of not letting others to control his talent. Therefore there were often conflicts between him and producers or he was not even given a chance to record anything at all. It’s a really sad story, but this unfortunate musician’s lifestyle can be heard on the recordings such as “Guitar In Ernest – Ernest Ranglin (DSR-LP / CD-501)” and “Reggae Rhapsody – Leslie Butler (DSR-FEDS12-001).” Perhaps with this album in addition, it might be all enough.
Elijah - Selassi Hi / Mount Zion
Sir Collins / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1971
N/A
The mysterious Elijah cut this mellow and heartfelt 2-part single for Sir Collins, then apparently disappeared from the recording scene. But the tune made quite a mark in New York, where it was released on the very rare Bronx-based WARICKA label, enough to have been covered a few years later by KC White (we also reissued his cut, still available, see here!) The tune is also remembered fondly as a New York sound system favorite in the 1970s by those active back then. It was also released on the Ackee label in the UK, memorable roots reggae for sure.
Dennis Brown - Silhouettes / Augustus Pablo, Crystalites - Bass & Drum Version
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1972
N/A
'Silhouettes' is one of Dennis Brown's earliest recordings and a good old Reggae hit. The flip side features Augustus Pablo's melodica cut to the A-side. This peaceful piece proves that the early sound of King Tubby is the greatest of all.
Hopeton Lewis - Happy Christmas / Lester Sterling, Lyn Taitt, Jets - Lester Sterling Special
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967/ 1966
¥1380 (US$8.86)
A festive Christmas piece presented by the Federal ambassador, Hopeton Lewis, along with a previously unreleased cool Rocksteady instrumental. Hopeton Lewis, a.k.a. the Mr. Rocksteady celebrates the festive season with this happy piece. Flip is the Merritone trademarked, an elegant, yet respectable instrumental. As this has never seen the light of day, all the inst fans should have one in your collection.
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$14.00)
Invaders - After A Storm / This Life I'm Living
Sir Collins / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 197-
N/A
hese two songs were released on a frighteningly rare single in JA on the Invader label, while "After a Storm" was also released as a pre-release blank in the UK. The Invaders sublime and soulful harmonizing wins again, these tunes are as catchy as ever forty plus years later.
Mungos Hi Fi, Lady Ann - Sound Get A Beating / Mungos Hi Fi - Old Time Dance Riddim
Scotch Bonnet UK 2013
¥1100 (US$7.07)
