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Protoje, Chronixx - Who Knows / Dub Mix
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2014
¥2080 (US$13.46)
Blues Busters - I Won't Let You Go / Love Me Forever
Kentone / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$14.11)
The big hit Ska classic everybody loves, sang by one of the top groups of the 60’s!! Along with the Maytals and the Wailers, the Blues Busters were one of the top groups at the time, however commercially they were going more of a mainstream than the others. Since their career goes way back in the late 50’s, they must have been idolized by so many of those who made their debut later in the Ska era. This is an essential mainstream Ska classic by the brilliantly skilled duo in their best form backed by no other than Byron Lee.
Notis, Iba Mahr - Diamond Sox (Picture Sleeve) / Diamond Sox Dub
Notis / Buyreggae EU 2014
¥1360 ¥1180 (US$7.64)
Tarrus Riley, Dean Fraser - Ribbon In The Sky / Chaka Demus, Pliers - Forever Young
Keyzer SozeII / 24x7 Records JPN 2014
N/A
Carltons - Better Days / Upsetters - Tight Spot
Underground / Bond Export US 1973
N/A
A killer double sider, the A-side is the Carltons aka Carlton Manning aka Carlton & The Shoes, with one of his all time best roots tunes, sublime harmonies. The B-side is the raw rhythm cut of the Upsetters' "Tight Spot", without the Dave Barker chatting and the second organ overdub. A tough early '70s rhythm later re-used by Wackies to great effect.
Jump With Joey - El Diablo Ska (Label Damage) / Artibella
Laughing Pussy US (Blank) (Org) 1990
Info: Original Press
¥1580 (US$10.22)
Chronixx - Here Comes Trouble / Version
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.17)
TOK - Now That We Found Love / Wayne Wonder - Right Here Waiting
Keyzer SozeII / 24x7 Records JPN 2014
N/A
Family Man, Rebel Arms - Eastern Memphis / Wailers - Rebel Am I
Cobra / Dub Store Records JPN 1973
¥2180 (US$14.11)
This is the quintessence of the Wailers lead by Familyman, playing a killer horn instrumental and the dubwise. Arguably one of the most accomplished reggae instrumentals to date. The Wailers consisting of the Barrett brothers is without a doubt the number one band of the era, showcasing their full confidence which later gets praised by the entire world. The bold and courageous, yet ambitious and highly spirited, everything you need to get out of the Caribbean ghetto to the world is heard in this miraculous recording.
Blues Busters - Soon You'll Be Gone / I Don't Know
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$14.11)
Another smash hit Ska masterpiece by the Blues Busters, the superstar duo who had been dominating the Jamaican pop music industry since the 50’s!! Covering the American hits as their specialty, the popular group had left a number of Jamaican souls, although only a few ska hits. Out of those few, this is undoubtedly another one of the most considerable tunes they had left. An excellent singing melody sparkles on top of the Byron Lee’s iconic softly touched bass line.
Family Man, Knotty Roots - Distant Drums / Version
Fam's / Dub Store Records JPN 1973
¥2180 (US$14.11)
A nyabingi style killer instrumental of the roots classic Love Thy Neighbours by Jesus Dread a.k.a. Vivian Jackson.Created by a combination – the diversity of a series of personalities of the Wailers with the strict Rastaman, Vivian Jackson, this authentic Rastafari sound comes with no compromise.
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.
Cuttle - Black Jah / Cuttle, Alpha Steppa - Black Jah (Alpha Steppa Remix)
Grand Ancestor UK 2014
N/A
Monty Alexander, Cyclones - Summertime / Dog It
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1962
¥2080 (US$13.46)
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$14.11)
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.
Blues Busters - There's Always Sunshine / Maytals - Sometimes (Love Is A Special Feeling)
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.11)
A magnificent Rocksteady piece in one-off style sang by one of the groups that represent the golden age of Ska. Since the number of their recordings decreased devastatingly after the Ska era, this truly is a rare Rocksteady made in its top form with the veteran’s dignity. In addition, this is the own Rocksteady cover version of one of their first ever recordings at the Coxsone’s in 1960.
Junior Khadaffy - Rampers Music / Version
Stereo Uprising / Deeper Knowledge US 1989
N/A
A mythical tune for all serious digital reggae collectors, finally reissued. The obscure Junior Khadaffy (various spellings!) released only a handful of tunes in the mid-late '80s, but all are fantastic. This one was cut for E&F Studios in the Bronx, ran by the late artist I-Plee. Stereo Fletcher happens to be family to I-Plee, producing several records by the artist for his own labels. But the works went both ways, and Stereo produced this one for release on E&F's in-house label. Slick but killer digital reggae, this one has always reminded us of the production style of Little Kirk's "Weed Them Out", a fantastic arrangement, great vocals and a complex head-nodding rhythm. The original press is extremely rare and the tune is simply too good to remain that way, so here it is, top top top shelf '80s digital, now available for all.
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.
Jah 9 - Reverence / Iba Mahr - Great Is H.I.M
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.17)
Tarrus Riley - Gimme Likkle One Drop / Chronixx - Ain't No Giving In
Chimney Records / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.17)
Tessanne Chin - Anythings Possible / Zagga - My Destination
Chimney Records / Buyreggae EU 2014
¥1380 (US$8.93)
Stranger Cole, Ken Boothe - Revelation (Coloured Vinyl) / Skatalites - Freedom Ska
Randys US 1964
¥1980 (US$12.81)
Alton Ellis - La La Means I Love You / Alton Ellis, David Isaacs - Give Me Your Love
Supersonics 1968
N/A
Silk Satin Velvet & Wool - Natty Burry / Advocates Aggregation - Satan Pickney
Uprising / Deeper Knowledge US 1975
N/A
From a slightly later date than the Uprising label singles, here's a killer double sided discomix 10" on the Stereo Uprising label. One side features Thomas White's "Ivory Girl", a haunting vocal over a killer Black Ark rhythm. This was originally released on the Hit Run label, licensed to the label while Stereo was in the UK in the early '80s. On the B-side we have the awesome "Crab in a Barrel" by Still Cool. Still Cool was a fantastic harmony group that Stereo produced many tracks with in the late '70s/early '80s. This tune was only ever released as the B-side of the rare NY 12" issue of Still Cool's "To Be Poor Is a Crime" single, popularized in the UK via heavy play by Jah Shaka, who also released it on single on his own label. This "Stereo Uprising" label design was used by Stereo when he was resident in the Bronx and releasing some 12-inch singles.