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Joya Landis - Moonlight Lover / Winston Wright - Moonlight Groover
Treasure Isle / Buyreggae EU 1969
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Hopeton Lewis - Run If You Are Afraid / Sounds And Pressure
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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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.
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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.
Conquerors - Lonely Street / Moving Brothers - Don't Play That Song
Treasure Isle / Buyreggae EU 1968
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Henry Buckley - You Never Could Be True / Mike Thompson - Get Me To The Church On Time
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1380 (US$9.12)
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.
Dawn Penn, Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Why Did You Lie ? / Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Moody Ska
Discolite 1967
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Hopeton Lewis - Run Down / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Napoleon Solo
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966/ 1967
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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.
Tomorrow's Children - Bang Bang Rock Steady / Rain (Rock Steady)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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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.
Junior Soul - Glendevon Special / Magic Touch
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
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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.
Chronixx - Here Comes Trouble / Version
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.42)
Alton Ellis, Flames - Cry Tough / Errol Brown - Toughest (Dub)
Treasure Isle / Buyreggae EU 1967
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Tarrus Riley - Gimme Likkle One Drop / Chronixx - Ain't No Giving In
Chimney Records / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.42)
Ernest Ranglin - Mod Mod Ranglin
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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 picked one of 10 pieces of the most important album of Reggae history.
Don Drummond - Last Call / Last Call Take 2
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2180 (US$14.40)
Known as a synonym for “killer”, this is one of the best singles released on Studio 1 by Don Drummond, including another precious take that’s been previously unreleased. Compare to any other artists, the extreme tension that Don Drummond brings into his sessions were next level. His trombone skills were above genius and it is clear to hear his strong personality and humanity through his music. With his works being released on Studio One and other productions, he had established the “Far Eastern Sound” which still lives today in Jamaica. The fact all the music that was influenced by this sound has been evaluated since therefore it is a proof of how his music is universality. It is interesting that all the unreleased Skatalites tracks from this era have different solo phrases each time, showing how valuable these recordings are for the archive.
Vivian Jackson, Prophents - Sipping I & I Chalice / I & I Chalice Version
Pressure Sounds UK 1976
¥2180 (US$14.40)
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Mughead Ska / Free For All
BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.78)
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$9.78)
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
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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.
Lester Sterling, Lyn Taitt, Jets - Check Point Charlie / A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1980 (US$13.08)
The Merritone trademarked, a refined and lustrous Rockstready piece along with the cover ballad inst of a popular song. This Rocksteady inst represents another one of those utterly rare Merritone singles, backed with the original coupling song.
Slim Smith - People Get Ready (Side A, B Label Reversed) / Errol Dunkley - I'm Going Home
Lee UK 1968
¥1980 (US$13.08)