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Protoje, Chronixx - Who Knows / Dub Mix
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2014
¥2080 (US$13.48)
Blues Busters - There's Always Sunshine / Maytals - Sometimes (Love Is A Special Feeling)
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.12)
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.
Jump With Joey - El Diablo Ska (Label Damage) / Artibella
Laughing Pussy US (Blank) (Org) 1990
Info: Original Press
¥1580 (US$10.24)
Notis, Iba Mahr - Diamond Sox (Picture Sleeve) / Diamond Sox Dub
Notis / Buyreggae EU 2014
¥1360 ¥1180 (US$7.64)
Skatalites - Black Joe (Coloured Vinyl) / Lord Creator - Passing Through
Randys US 1965
¥1980 (US$12.83)
Blues Busters - I Won't Let You Go / Love Me Forever
Kentone / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$14.12)
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.
Family Man, Knotty Roots - Distant Drums / Version
Fam's / Dub Store Records JPN 1973
¥2180 (US$14.12)
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.
Chronixx - Here Comes Trouble / Version
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.18)
Desmond Dekker - Pretty Africa / Roland Alphonso - El Toro
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1967
¥2080 (US$13.48)
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.
Blues Busters - Soon You'll Be Gone / I Don't Know
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$14.12)
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.
Max Edwards - Gideons High / Gideon All Stars - Ixes
Gideon / Dub Store Records JPN 1973
¥1480 (US$9.59)
An experimental and minimalistic early dub instrumental joined by the Soul Syndicate drummer, Max Edwards. Music without commercialism – this minimalistic and repetitive dub instrumental shows the unique musical structure by one of the most future-oriented arrangers, the great Familyman.
Love Experience - Are You Together For The New Day? / 87th Off Broadway - Moving Woman
¥2180 (US$14.12)
Don Drummond - Don D Special / Fidel
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2080 (US$13.48)
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.
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.
Joe Higgs, Lynn Taitt, Jets - You Hurt My Soul / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Why Am I Treated So Bad?
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.83)
Joe Higgs was a mentor for many young artists and taught them how to sing as well as about the recording industry. Many followed and learned his lessens and passed it on to coming generations. ‘You Hurt My Soul’ is one of his early recordings with his distinctive singing style. Side B is Merritone cut to the classic reggae instrumental ‘Bad Treatment’. The recordings were released in 1968 and reissued from the original 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.
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.
Jah 9 - Reverence / Iba Mahr - Great Is H.I.M
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.18)
Immortals (Bobbie Sharkie) - Babylon / Version
Don One / Bond Export / Deeper Knowledge US 1975
N/A
Producer Danny Ffrench's DON 1 label only had a trio of releases, but all were stellar.
Winston Jarrett, Righteous Flames, Family Man All Stars - Ride On Natty / Family Man All Stars - Dub
Iroko Records EU 1976
¥1680 (US$10.88)
Jump With Joey - Cosita Linda / Jump With Joey, Clapper Priest - Move Your Body (The Cat)
Info: Original Press
N/A
Skatalites - Collie Bud (Coloured Vinyl) / Charlie Organaire - Unknown Session
Randys US 1965
¥2980 (US$19.31)
