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Phyllis Dillon - Rock Steady / Tommy McCook - Soul Rock
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
¥1680 (US$10.86)
Phyllis Dillon - Don't Stay Away / Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Starry Night
Treasure Isle UK 1967
¥2180 (US$14.10)
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.
Protoje, Chronixx - Who Knows / Dub Mix
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2014
¥2080 (US$13.45)
Blues Busters - Soon You'll Be Gone / I Don't Know
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$14.10)
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.
Aston 'Family Man' Barrett - Cobra Style / Cobra Style Dub
Fam's / Dub Store Records JPN 1981
¥1980 (US$12.80)
A minor chord killer instrumental - the corpus of all the Family Man sounds. It is also a monumental piece of the Wailers Band. Like Eastern Memphis, this is one of the most talked about Family Man masterpiece. It clearly shows Family Man’s musical versatility not only as a bassist, but as a master musician. Although funnily enough it was the time when Jamaica was largely dominated by Deejays and Dancehall, the world famous Wailers Band never betrayed their fans by tightly keeping their “Wailers Sound”. It is a pleasure to listen to the strong belief and confidence in their music.
Roland Alphonso - Song For My Father / Nothing For Nothing
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1967
¥2180 (US$14.10)
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.
Charlie Organaire - Bad Boy Charlie / Soul Brothers - Thunderball
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2080 (US$13.45)
Double A-sided 7” featuring a killer Ska inst. From Jamaican harmonica virtuoso and Soul Brother’s killer horn Ska instrumental! One of the Studio One titles that the collectors have been looking everywhere to get hold of. Featuring no other than Rude Boy Charlie although it was stated as Bad Boy Charlie on the master-tape. An extremely rare take of Thunderball arranged by Jackie Mittoo on the flip side.
Maria Anderson - Cottage By The Sea Side / Woman In Love
Cobra / Dub Store Records JPN 1975
¥2180 (US$14.10)
Beautifully shinning golden female Lover's Rock.At this time, the Wailers band didn't play much of those sweet love songs, however this 7” definitely proves Familyman’s versatile musical orientation. A truly tight rhythm section beautifully blends with this rather unknown singer’s superb voice making these nothing but a masterpiece. A heart calming double-sider.
Keith & Tex - Tonight / Lynn Taitt, Desmond Miles Seven - You've Caught Me
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
A star duo at the Harriott’s production, Keith & Tex’s‘Tonight’is also the everlasting masterpiece in the history of Reggae music. There were many essential songs in his production from 1967 to 68 but‘Tonight’is obviously the most indispensable one. Lynn Tait plays a beautiful instrumental version to Melodians’ hit ‘You’ve Caught Me’ on the flip side. Reissued with these original recordings on both sides.
Henry Buckley - You Never Could Be True / Mike Thompson - Get Me To The Church On Time
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1380 (US$8.92)
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.
Skatalites - Ska Easy (Coloured Vinyl) / Alton Ellis - Ska Beat
Randys US 1965
¥900 ¥2980 (US$19.27)
Count Sticky - What Do You So / Winston Right - What Do You So [Inst]
Moodisc US 1969
¥1680 (US$10.86)
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.10)
The Soul Vendors’ horn inst cover of a mellow Latin tune, backed with the authentic Studio One Rocksteady masterpiece. This gorgeous horn inst Rocksteady features a superb arrangement from King Cannon a.k.a. Carl ‘Cannonball’ Bryan and Roland Alphonso. Like the originals on the other side here comes the one that Island was certainly familiar with back then, the Nat King Cole’s excellent vocal cover from the Hamlins.
Don Carlos - Prepare Jah Man / Version
Rawse / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 1977
N/A
First time on 45 for the other early Don Carlos thriller killer from the Wackie's/Joe Morgan/Soul Syndicate axis. Previously only released on the "Reckless Roots Rockers" compilation LP.
Blues Busters - There's Always Sunshine / Maytals - Sometimes (Love Is A Special Feeling)
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.10)
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.
Jimmy Riley - We're Gonna Make It / Family Man - Dub Maker
Fam's / Dub Store Records JPN 1981
¥1980 (US$12.80)
A dignified roots vocal that represents the sounds of the Wailers of the time. In the 60’s, as known as the prime of time for Rocksteady, Jimmy Riley used to sing for a vocal group called the Uniques. Back then, Familyman was playing as a part of the infamous session band, the Hippy Boys in the heart of Kingston.The first ever recording of those two goes way back in 1968, so it must have been quite a reunion in this studio session.This piece was recorded around about the same time as the Cobra Style, and exactly as Familyman plotted, the veteran, Jimmy achieved the great Wailers sound.
In the 60’s, as known as the prime of time for Rocksteady, Jimmy Riley used to sing for a vocal group called the Uniques. Back then, Familyman was playing as a part of the infamous session band, the Hippy Boys in the heart of Kingston.The first ever recording of those two goes way back in 1968, so it must have been quite a reunion in this studio session.This piece was recorded around about the same time as the Cobra Style, and exactly as Familyman plotted, the veteran, Jimmy achieved the great Wailers sound.
Lynn Taitt, Jets - Bat Man / Joker
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
Lynn Taitt remakes theme songs from the movie "Batman" in killer Rocksteady style. Those cheerful instrumentals, which well represent the distinctive sound of Marritone label, were originally released in 1968.
Derrick Harriott - Loser / Derrick Harriott, Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Now We Know
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
‘The Loser’is gloriously considered as one of the most significant songs as well as rhythm tracks in the history of Reggae music. Also entitled as‘The Winner’, the song is easily adapted to sound system dubplates. Talking about the genre of Rocksteady, this song cannot be ignored.‘Now We Know’on the flip side is to be released on 7 inch single for the first time ever.
Chronixx - Here Comes Trouble / Version
Overstand Entertainment / Buyreggae EU 2013
¥1880 (US$12.16)