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Llans Thelwell, Celestials - Llans Plays It All
¥2880 (US$18.47)
Miraculously recorded in 1965 when Ska was at its best, this is one of the rarest and killer LP to date. Llands Plays It All is constructed with a Caribbean coast vibe such as Ska, Jazz, Afto, R&B, Soul, Jump Up, Cha Cha Cha to name a few. However this killer Montegonian band is surprisingly tight, presenting second to none great performances. LP starts with “Jive Samba” by Cannonball Adderley, brilliantly arranged in the Afro-Caribbean Jazz style. Then moving on to some Jamaican R&B, to the featured track of the album “Mughead Ska”, a slightly longer version than the 7” cut (DSR-RN7-01), furthermore there is“Golden Horns”, this is an ultimate selection for all DJ’s and Selectors. This is definitely a must-have for shelves of the Jamaican music lovers.
amami, Wareikers - Day Drum Sound / My Little Bag (Dedicate To Lloyd Knibb)
a&family JPN 2013
¥1280 (US$8.21)
Granville Williams, His Orchestra - Wailin' / Granville Williams Orch. - Old McDonald
GWO / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1380 (US$8.85)
An ultimate super killer Ska instrumental by an extremely unprolific band, brilliantly recorded in stereo. Although this newly signed band recorded exclusively for Federal releasing an LP, they play a little commercial uptown sound, however the Skatalites admitted their inferiority to this band’s performances. The interestingly arranged “Old McDonald” on the flip features the guitarist Ernest Ranglin. Very rarely recorded in stereo for the time in Jamaica, only could have been done by the notorious Federal which clearly was known for its up-to-date setups.
Kalbata, Mixmonster, Little John - Prisoner In Love / Kalbata, Mixmonster, Kutiman - Prisoner In Love (CRB Version)
Freestyle Records UK 2014
¥1680 (US$10.77)
Maytals, Skatalites - My Daily Food / One Look
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1980 (US$12.70)
A prominent singer backed by none other than the Skatalites, it is a symbolic Ska beat representing Kentone which will make everyone a smile. Although the Maytals have recorded Ska tunes for Studio One, Prince Buster and many more, they might have taken a further step when recording for the Jamaican music industry’s godfather, Ken Kouri by singing it well tight and fiery. Even for the Federal side, it must have been quite special to hire the Skatalites for this project. One minute and half might be a little too short for an A side, though this one will make you want to slip it in your DJ box every time.
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.98)
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.
Eddie Perkins, Patsy - Take These Chains From My Heart / Eddie Perkins - I Am Blue
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1980 (US$12.70)
An up tempo duet with great lyrics sung by a veteran unprolific singer. You may think twice about getting the original copy of this release. Oldies but goodies, this 100% positive conscious tune is almost singing about “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery” Redemption Song – Bob Marley, one of the representative themes of Jamaican music, in a nice duet style. An excellent party piece guaranteed to make you smile.
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Mughead Ska / Free For All
BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.49)
One of the most wanted Ska titles to date, this is an ultimate killer Ska instrumental for all DJs. An exclusive reissue of the utterly rare and unique title amongst all the Ska instrumentals! Some say the title of this super killer masterpiece was taken from the musician Barry Malcolm’s nickname “Mughead”. Backed with an excellent B-side ‘Free For All’just like the original release. There are no more instructions needed for this great release!
Aubley Williams, His Orchestra - String Of Pearls / Granville Williams Orch. - Third Man Theme
GWO / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1980 (US$12.70)
A wonderful, previously unreleased Jamaican Ska in one and only jazzy big band style. The length of this recording is slightly longer and all the solo parts are brightly emphasized. A rare piece with an adventurous development which is not quite typical for Jamaican music. A very fine Ska beat on the flip showcasing their original musicality. Also it is nice to see the appearance of Ernest Ranglin on both sides.
Jah Joe - Dreadlocks Song / Bullwackies All Stars - Dreadlocks Dub
Aires / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1975
N/A
Deep mystical Wackie's production from Jah Joe (aka Joe Axumite) in chanting deejay mode, one of the best 45's on Aires.
Linval Thompson - Children Of Israel (Extended Mix) / Pappa Cruz; Ranking Forrest - Crisis; Crisis Time
Nansa UK 2014
¥2200 (US$14.11)
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.
Dawn Penn, Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Why Did You Lie ? / Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Moody Ska
Discolite 1967
N/A
George Allen - Be Wise My Brethren (Original Stamper) / Home Ward Band Version
Studio One 1978/ 1979
N/A
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.
Ras Mykha; Micheal Exodus - I&I Believe; Believe In Dub / Luca Dread; Micheal Exodus - I Lodica; Same Blood Same Soul
Dub O Matic EU 2014
¥2380 (US$15.26)
Sly & Robbie - Bed's Too Big (Underwater Dub) / Bed's Too Big (Original)
Groove Attack EU 2014
Info: Adapted (The Police)
N/A
Monty Alexander, Cyclones - Summertime / Dog It
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1962
¥2080 (US$13.34)
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.
Minstrells - People Get Ready / Hamlins - Everyone Got To Be There
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$13.98)
Studio One’s golden Rocksteady cover; even hipper and cooler than the original by the Impressions. The original has been known for its excellent lyric and melodies, thanks to the composer Curtis Mayfield, however the Minstrells brought this to a total perfection. Even though the Minstrells left us a small number of recordings, the great vocal group had such a high standard for every single one of them. If you’ve listened to the original press of this tune, you will find the intro has been cut, unfortunately that was the same deal for the master-tape itself. The nice rocksteady by the firm but short-lived Hamlins comes on the other side. Both have been recorded from the original master-tapes.
Owen Gray - Give Me A Little Sign / Raver
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.98)
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.
Lloyd, Groovers - Listen To The Music / Emotions - I Can't Do No More
Pressure Sounds UK 1968
¥0 ¥1680 (US$10.77)
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Golden Horns / Choo Choo Ska
Soul / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.49)
The Celestials trademarked imminent sound can be heard in this elegiac killer Ska instrumental!! The bang on titled ‘Golden Horns’ representing the music itself. If they were ever based in Kingston, they may have had more opportunities for recordings which might have changed the history of Ska music. Such a great band indeed. Although it’s still quite a tune, it may sound a little monotonous on the flip side, showing Thelwell’s personal affection for Carlos Malcolm’s band.
Swing Bird / / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1980
N/A
Heavy roots masterpiece from the early '80s, and a beautiful and heartfelt song of self-determination, brilliant.