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Joya Landis - Moonlight Lover / Winston Wright - Moonlight Groover
Treasure Isle / Buyreggae EU 1969
N/A
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.
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.
Conquerors - Lonely Street / Moving Brothers - Don't Play That Song
Treasure Isle / Buyreggae EU 1968
N/A
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.
Henry Buckley - You Never Could Be True / Mike Thompson - Get Me To The Church On Time
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1380 (US$8.91)
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.
Vivian Jackson, Prophents - Sipping I & I Chalice / I & I Chalice Version
Pressure Sounds UK 1976
¥2180 (US$14.08)
Tarrus Riley - Gimme Likkle One Drop / Chronixx - Ain't No Giving In
Chimney Records / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.14)
Dawn Penn, Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Why Did You Lie ? / Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Moody Ska
Discolite 1967
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
Junior Soul - Glendevon Special / Magic Touch
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
As Junior Soul, Junior Murvin recorded definitely the greatest Rocksteady tune,「Glendevon Special」 on early days of his recording career. This tune is also unique among Derrick Harriott's catalog and it proves how wide varieties his production was. This song is rare that many collectors have been looking for years.
Episodes - Blacker Than Black / Don One Rhythm Section - Highly Mental Version
Don One / Bond Export / Deeper Knowledge US 1974
¥900 ¥699 (US$4.52)
Producer Danny Ffrench's DON 1 label only had a trio of releases, but all were stellar.
George Allen - Be Wise My Brethren (Original Stamper) / Home Ward Band Version
Studio One 1978/ 1979
N/A
Roland Alphonso - Ska Culation / Jack Sparrow - Ice Water
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$14.08)
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$13.44)
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.
Jennifer Lara - Woman Of The Ghetto / Jackie Mittoo, Sound Dimension - Side Walk Doctor Version
Dub Store Records JPN / Studio One 2004
¥2180 (US$14.08)
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Mughead Ska / Free For All
BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.56)
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!
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Golden Horns / Choo Choo Ska
Soul / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.56)
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.
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.
Chronixx - Here Comes Trouble / Version
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.14)
Ninjaman - Ninja Mi Ninja (May skip in the middle due to a pressing defect) / Version
Down Sound / Buyreggae EU 2014
¥1680 (US$10.85)
Slim Smith - People Get Ready (Side A, B Label Reversed) / Errol Dunkley - I'm Going Home
Lee UK 1968
¥1980 (US$12.79)