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Joya Landis - Moonlight Lover / Winston Wright - Moonlight Groover
Treasure Isle / Buyreggae EU 1969
N/A
Conquerors - Lonely Street / Moving Brothers - Don't Play That Song
Treasure Isle / Buyreggae EU 1968
N/A
Alton Ellis, Flames - Cry Tough / Errol Brown - Toughest (Dub)
Treasure Isle / Buyreggae EU 1967
N/A
Sensations - Everyday Is Just A Holiday / Tommy McCook - Rock Away
Treasure Isle / Buyreggae EU 1969
N/A
Henry Buckley - You Never Could Be True / Mike Thompson - Get Me To The Church On Time
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1380 (US$8.93)
Honeyed Rocksteady singer singing a sweet and sophisticated sounding original backed with a different take from another popular tune. Henry Buckley was supposed to be the next Rocksteady star after Hopeton Lewis, although in this tune he is credited as Henry IIIrd.Also Buckley was once called as Don Henry, so it seems Federal was perplexed how to promote him, however as a great singer, the quality of his music was always steady and promising. A previously unreleased material on the flip featuring a Rocksteady wedding song which had its name written on the master-tape.
Hopeton Lewis - Run Down / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Napoleon Solo
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966/ 1967
N/A
The very first Merritone ska classic released under its project the Federal Ska! Featuring a classic Rocksteady tune from no other than Lynn Taitt on the flip. No one else but him should be qualified as the Mr. Rocksteay, Hopeton Lewis presents a rare early Ska! Reminding the good old days in Kingston with slow, nice and easy vibes. On the B-side, Lynn Taitt just proves again how tight and heavy the sound was at the Federal studio back then with this great piece of music.
Hopeton Lewis - Run If You Are Afraid / Sounds And Pressure
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
A rare previously unreleased Rocksteady by Federal’s star singer, Hopeton Lewis. This killer Rocksteady represents one of the traditional elements of Jamaica, as well as the Rude Boy themed warning which could be heard in the lyrics. These types of unreleased materials could only be dug out at such a profound label, Federal.
N/A
Recorded in 1964 at the Federal studio, this elegant yet unique previously unreleased album is said to be the origin of the Jamaican Mento meets 4 Beat Jazz. This brilliant album is one of the most important Jamaican Jazz recordings that Ernest Ranglin has ever made. Everything in this album starts with the traditional Caribbean Jazz classics and then develops into 4 Beat Jazz. Produced by Godfather of the Jamaican music, Ken Kouri, this album is nothing but deserves its title. You may want to add this next to the Guitar In Earnest [DSR-LP/CD-501] in your collection.
Tomorrow's Children - Bang Bang Rock Steady / Rain (Rock Steady)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Tomorrow's Children were probably favored by uptown youths rather than downtown Rudies because of their funky, hard hitting sounds and lyrics. With those elements, they successfully created own killer style, which can be undoubtedly heard with ‘Bang Bang Rock Steady'. The group also versioned the Beatles' 'Rain' in fine Rocksteady style. The original record was released in 1967.
Mighty Massa, Robert Lee - Spot From The Distance; Distance Dub (Picture Sleeve) / Spot From The Dub
Jah Marshall EU 2014
¥3180 (US$20.58)
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials, Dennis Robinson - Jive Samba / Llans Thelwell, His Celestials, Busty Brown - Pick Up The Pieces
Soul / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1980 (US$12.81)
The Cannonball Adderley’s famous Jazz classic beautifully covered into Afro Caribbean Jazz masterpiece. This precious piece digs into depth of the Jamaican music to show unique side of the history. Due to their regular appearances in hotels at Montego Bay, it is reasonable to understand that the band had a range of repertoire other than Ska. The MC's hype heard right after the riff interprets the excitement of the session and creates a great atmosphere. Matching the original release, backed with a prime Jamaican Soul by talented Busty Brown who later recorded with Lee Perry.
Keith & Tex - Run To The Rocks / Let Me Be The One (This Is My Song)
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
N/A
Originally released on 1969 by Keith & Tex, who were the favorite duo in Rocksteady era, this up-tempo tune introduced the beginning of Reggae's new style. This duo never disappointed everybody's expectation by their high quality tunes. Re-issued original songs on both sides.
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$14.11)
Mungos Hi Fi, YT - Serious Time / Mungos Hi Fi, Shanti D - Sensi International
Scotch Bonnet UK 2014
N/A
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$14.11)
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.
Damalistik, YT - Leave I Alone / Damalistik, Deadly Hunta - Ghetto Youth In A Danger
Scotch Bonnet UK 2014
¥1180 (US$7.64)
Fashioneers - Give A Helping Hand
Swing Bird / / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1978
N/A
Awesome second cut on the "Guiding Light" rhythm from the Fashioneers, in this incarnation, just Leonard Billings & Glenford McLeggan, from after Jaiq Sterling had departed. Recorded and mixed at Channel 1, late '70s.
Chosen Few - People Make The World Go Round / Derrick Harriott - Brown Baby
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1972/ 1973
N/A
One of the best cover versions of a Philadelphia Soul classic, "People Makes The World Go Round" is performed by Chosen Few, who were idolizing The Stylistics so much. The flip side “Brown Baby" is another Funky Reggae vocal sang by the producer Derrick Harriott himself
Mighty Abajians - Guiding Light
Swing Bird / / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1981
N/A
The second cut of 'Guiding Light', and third cut on the rhythm. This time with a different mix and percussion overdubs by Bongo Herman, again done at Channel 1. This cut mixed in a more spare early '80s style, hard stuff. The Mighty Abidjans for this one were Jaiq Sterling, Leonard Billings and Glenford McLeggan. This is the final Mighty Abidjans single to feature vocalist & song writer Jaiq Sterling.
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.
Maytals, Skatalites - My Daily Food / One Look
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1980 (US$12.81)
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.
Derrick Harriott - Solomon / Bobby Ellis, Jets - Emperor
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Derrick Harriott’s original cut to sound system foundation rhythm ‘Solomon’. Derrick sings comically about Solomon, who was given wisdom amongst of all mankind from God in the Old Testament: “Solomon was the wisest man but he didn't know the secrets of a woman” The hit rhythm has been versioned many times over last four decades. On side B, there is a nice & cool horn instrumental entitled ‘The Emperor’ by Bobby Ellis, its title might imply Derrick Harriott productions had a good taste in music at that time.
Stranger Cole, Ken Boothe - Revelation (Coloured Vinyl) / Skatalites - Freedom Ska
Randys US 1964
¥1980 (US$12.81)
Skatalites - Ska Easy (Coloured Vinyl) / Alton Ellis - Ska Beat
Randys US 1965
¥900 ¥2980 (US$19.28)
Chronixx - Here Comes Trouble / Version
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.17)