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Don Hutson - Got To Leave This Place / Dynamite Hudson
Ashandan / Dub Store Records JPN 1973
¥1480 (US$10.04)
Recorded in 1973 accompanied by the Wailers, this truly rare masterpiece was fronted by Don Hutson, an executive of the severe Rastafarian organization, Twelve Tribes of Israel. Produced by former Jamaican National Football Team player, Allan ‘Skill’ Cole, it was released by Tuff Gong in 1973 and known as an extremely rare shot that collectors have been searching for all over the place. This beautifully sparkling classic spiritual reggae piece is undoubtedly one of the top 10s released in 1973. If you love reggae, we presume that you won’t be able to avoid this masterpiece.
Jackie Mittoo - Chinese Chicken / Put It On
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
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.
Wailers - Dream Land / Dubd Version
Solomonic / Dub Store Records JPN 1976
¥1680 (US$11.40)
In 1966, Bunny Wailer started singing spiritual lyrics before anyone else, and this masterpiece he sung about returning to Africa was written while he was still recording for Studio One. Although it was originally recorded for Studio One, it has never seen the day of light. Then Lee Perry recorded it again and released in 1971. This particular take was recorded especially for the album in 1976 and released from Island Records UK as a single.
Roland Alphonso - Ska Culation / Jack Sparrow - Ice Water
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
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.
Keith & Tex - Stop That Train / Bobby Ellis, Jets - Feeling Peckish
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Without any explanation, ‘Stop That Train’ by Keith & Tex is a true Rocksteady classic of all times. The song stands tall in Reggae music history and a biggest hit among Derrick Harriott’s catalogue. Side B features Memphis Soul Rocksteady instrumental, just like a trendy song from Stax Records. Now reissued for the first time with these original recordings on both sides.
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.
Hugh Mundell - Day Of Judgement / Hugh Mundell, Augustus Pablo - Judgement Dub
Rockers / Message / Onlyroots EU 1978
¥1680 (US$11.40)
Wayne McArthur - Dancing On A Rainbow / Disciples - Dubplate Style
Jah Waggy's UK 1997
¥1680 (US$11.40)
Linval Thompson - I love Marijuana / Jamaican Calley (Version)
Iroko Records EU 1975
¥1680 (US$11.40)
Soul Brothers - Freedom Sounds / Freedom Sounds Take 2
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$14.79)
The astonishing take of previously unpublished Rocksteady - reveals new facts about Studio One’s Ska and Rocksteady! A few years after the Skatalites recorded the famous “Freedom Sounds”, the band has reconstructed as the Soul Brothers and this is the astonishing, previously unpublished take of them playing the Rocksteady version. By the look of the master-tape, it has never even planned to be released as a single and kept especially for the LP release, which might have meant to be the Soul Brothers version of the Skatalites’ iconic “Ska Authentic” album. This seriously rare recording is a must-check for everyone from the beginners of the Jamaican music to the Ska masters. Though as might be expected, we may never be able to measure the depth of the foundation studio.
Lynn Taitt, Jets - Bat Man / Joker
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
Lynn Taitt remakes theme songs from the movie "Batman" in killer Rocksteady style. Those cheerful instrumentals, which well represent the distinctive sound of Marritone label, were originally released in 1968.
Bunny Wailer - Rasta Man / Version
Solomonic / Dub Store Records JPN 1976
¥1680 (US$11.40)
A classic Rasta Man song sung by Bunny Wailer, the most devoted Rastafarian out of all the Wailers. This unforgettable Rasta Man Anthem was released just before one of the most important roots reggae album to date, Blackheart Man dropped. Unlike the original release, this single take is backed with a dub cut.
Sista Patyma - Dirty Games / Disciples Riddim Section, Sista Patyma - Walk Away Dub
Peek A Boo UK 2013
¥1280 (US$8.69)
Masta G, Rambo B, Commando C - Autonomia / Papa Cloaca - Veramente Bello
Rupa Rupa Records EU 2013
N/A
Tenna Star, Dubateers - Reggae Music Is Alive / Dubateers - Alive Dub
Dubateers UK 2013
¥1180 ¥999 (US$6.78)
Strictly Sound Prodz, Jah Screechy - Think Me Did Gone / Tortuga Riddim
Cubiculo UK / Tortuga EU 2014
N/A
Bunny Brissette - Better Safe Than Sorry / Dub Warrior
Rockers / Message / Onlyroots EU 1981
¥1680 (US$11.40)
Aces - Can The Poor Survive (Original Stamper) / Charmers, Herman, His City Slickers - Lonely Boy
Studio One 1961
¥850 (US$5.77)
Hopeton Lewis - Take It Easy With The Rock Steady Beat
¥3680 (US$24.97)
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.
Jamaicans - Chain Gang / Jackie Mittoo, Soul Brothers - Do The Bogaloo
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2180 (US$14.79)
A great cover version of a Sam Cook hit with beautiful chorus and a killer instrumental that blended Jamaica’s Caribbean roots and Afro-Cuban essence. Jamaica’s favorite American singer, Sam Cook’s hit was beautifully transformed into a sweet and peaceful vocal Ska when it went through Studio One’s unique filter. The tune was taken straight from the master tape. The flip side features a mixed style of Caribbean-decent music that Soul Brothers could play best at and Jackie Mittoo’s burning keyboard maneuver made this killer instrumental best of the best.
Owen Gray - Give Me A Little Sign / Raver
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.79)
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.
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.
Preacher - Black Moses / Chosen Few - Shaft
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1971
N/A
Enos Maleod's narration made Isaac Hayes' Soul/Funk masterpiece a particularly mystical one. Academy-Winning "Theme From Shaft" was the symbolic song of the Black Power movement, and it has been transformed to one of the best Funky Reggae tunes of all time thanks to absolutely amazing arrangements from Derrick Harriott.
Chosen Few - Am I Black Enough / Psychedelic Train
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1972/ 1970
N/A
Undoubtedly one of the best Funky Reggae tunes from Derrick Harriott's production, "Am I Black Enough" was originally a Billy Paul hit and has been covered by Derrick Harriott and Chosen Few who were into the Black Power movement at the time. The B-side "Psychedelic Train" is one of the earliest Funky Reggae instrumental songs which made Derrick Harriott recognized for his Funk-influenced style to listeners.
Wailers - Battering Down Sentence / Version
Solomonic / Dub Store Records JPN 1974
¥1680 (US$11.40)
One of the many spiritual and cultural classic lyrics that Bunny Wailer has written, and this is an exclusive single take. The lyrics - written soon after he was arrested due to the possession of Marijuana, can be heard as “Fight Against Conviction” on one of the most important roots reggae album to date, Blackheart Man, although this recording is an early take released in 1974 by the Wailers.
G Flux, Los Master Plus - Ritmo Universal / G Flux, Afrodita, J. Luis Carballo - Meneito
Electric Cowbell US 2013
N/A
Lee Perry, Dynamites - Solid As A Rock (Original Stamper) / Don Drummond - Rocket
Studio One 1965
N/A
Bunny Wailer - Amagideon / Amagideon Dub
Solomonic / Dub Store Records JPN 1976
N/A
Briefly available on a 12" Island single in the UK to promote Bunny's 'Black Heart Man' album but this is the first time it has been coupled with the awesome Sylvan Morris and Karl Pitterson mixed dub version that first appeared on Bunny's criminally neglected 'Dub D'sco' album. Here we have a totally different mix demonstrating the strength and ability of this authoritative rhythm to take any amount of interpretations. 'Amagideon' was also versioned by Augustus Pablo for his seven inch Message release 'Pablo's Armageddon'.
Monty Alexander, Cyclones - Summertime / Dog It
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1962
¥2080 (US$14.12)
An exotic cover of the standard - by young Monty Alexander for Studio One. Its heavy and exotic arrangement by Monty’s own the Cyclones could well be the version of the famous “Summertime” that Jamaica has been proud of, and also out of million others to date this stands out as one of the most distinguished covers of all. From a number of Coxsone’s own labels, this is one of the rarest and includes nice shuffle-instrumental on the other side like the original press. A very rare piece that the collectors have been searching for.
Wailers - Rock Sweet Rock / Jerk In Time
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$14.79)
The Wailers have recorded a number of tunes for Studio One, however this release still gets talked a lot as its specialty. Recorded just before they left Studio One, this double A-sided single includes two of the best tunes that lead by Bunny Wailer himself. It’s even possible to hear in this excellent music that the time has come to ripen for the band to see the vision of starting up their own Wail ‘N’ Soul ’M’ label. Both sides are identical to its original release.
Roy Richards - Summertime / Sound Dimension - Soulful Strut
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥2180 (US$14.79)
A harmonica instrumental version of the all time favorite, Summertime and instrumental cover version of the Soul classic. Both are great interpretations of instrumental covers that are ranked definitely as two of the greatest Rocksteady tunes. Taken straight from its master tape, Summertime is a masterpiece that condensed the splendor of the blinded harmonica maestro and famed vocalist, Roy Richards. Originally released in 1968 by Young Holt Unlimited and scored a big hit, this great cover of the Soul classic, which sounds easily fitting the pattern of Sir Coxsone’s taste who was the huge fan of US hits, was played loosely and effortlessly by then newly formed Sound Dimension.
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.79)
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.
Charlie Organaire - Bad Boy Charlie / Soul Brothers - Thunderball
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2080 (US$14.12)
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.
Don Drummond - Don D Special / Fidel
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2080 (US$14.12)
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.
I Roy - Tougher Than Tough / Chosen Few - Do Your Thing
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1972
N/A
Another cover version of an Isaac Hayes’ classic. I Roy is blasting an heavy-weight toasting over the Chosen Few's vocals on the A-side "Tougher Than Tough". A straight cover version by Chosen Few appears on the B-side.
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
N/A
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.
Winston Jarrett - Chucky Hark And Shark / Tony Shabazz - Chuky Chapter One
Iroko Records EU 1977
¥1680 (US$11.40)