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Llans Thelwell, Celestials - Llans Plays It All
¥2880 (US$18.38)
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$8.17)
Kalbata, Mixmonster, Little John - Prisoner In Love / Kalbata, Mixmonster, Kutiman - Prisoner In Love (CRB Version)
Freestyle Records UK 2014
¥1680 (US$10.72)
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$15.19)
Maytals, Skatalites - My Daily Food / One Look
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1980 (US$12.64)
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.
Eddie Perkins, Patsy - Take These Chains From My Heart / Eddie Perkins - I Am Blue
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1980 (US$12.64)
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.
Scotty - Draw Your Brakes / Worry
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1971
N/A
The main DJ of Harriott's production, Scotty, skillfully handles Keith & Tex' Rocksteady classic 'Stop That Train'. This is one of the most popular piece of music in Harriott's production. The flip side is available for the first time on vinyl that features Scotty's DJ cut to Derrick Harriott's moving ‘Do I Worry' track.
Granville Williams, His Orchestra - Wailin' / Granville Williams Orch. - Old McDonald
GWO / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1380 (US$8.81)
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.
Dawn Penn, Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Why Did You Lie ? / Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Moody Ska
Discolite 1967
N/A
Ramon Judah, Conscious Sounds - Rasta Is Love / Tatty Levi; Unitone - Big Wheel
Jah Tubbys UK 2014
N/A
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Mughead Ska / Free For All
BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.44)
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!
Strictly Sound Prodz, Jah Screechy - Think Me Did Gone / Tortuga Riddim
Cubiculo UK / Tortuga EU 2014
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.
George Allen - Be Wise My Brethren (Original Stamper) / Home Ward Band Version
Studio One 1978/ 1979
N/A
Linval Thompson - Children Of Israel (Extended Mix) / Pappa Cruz; Ranking Forrest - Crisis; Crisis Time
Nansa UK 2014
¥2200 (US$14.04)
Skatalites - Freedom Sounds / Freedom Sounds (Early Take)
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$13.91)
‘Freedom Sounds’ is the glorious introduction to the iconic Ska LP “Ska Authentic from Studio One”, and also known as the opening theme for the band’s live performances. What’s more exciting is the early take unearthed for the very first time! Although it nearly got released with the 64-65’ masterpiece ‘From Russia With Love’, then eventually got cancelled due to the release of “Ska Authentic” LP. Compare to the ordinary recording that we’re familiar with, the unreleased take comes rougher but that is also brilliant and it will sound miraculously to all the Ska fans. There have been occasions that the band played this version at number of gigs, though it depends on who was leading the performance.
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.91)
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.
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.
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.
Henry Buckley - With A Girl Like You / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Last Waltz
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Just like Hopeton Lewis, Henry Buckley also was one of the star singers of the Federal Records and this is his relaxed yet consistent, nice Rocksteady piece from 1967. The other side is a cut taken from the monumental Rocksteady album 「Rocksteady Greatest Hits」
Aubley Williams, His Orchestra - String Of Pearls / Granville Williams Orch. - Third Man Theme
GWO / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1980 (US$12.64)
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.
Soul Brothers - Freedom Sounds / Freedom Sounds Take 2
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$13.91)
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.