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Nitty Gritty - Turn Them Back / Turn Them Back Dub
Prince Jammys Dub / Dub Store Records JPN 1986
¥1980 (US$12.83)
You might have seen Jammy playing this devastating sound killer in sessions lately, although before that this Nitty Gritty on Jammy’s ‘Tempo’ has only been heard on dubplates. No one knows why it never came out – is it because it was a counteraction to Tubby? Or tune that was the lethal weapon of Jammy? There is nothing we can do but imagine those pictures when listening to the intense energy and impact of this tune.
Prince Junior - Hard Sound Fe Dead / Hard Sound Fe Dead Dub
Prince Jammys Dub / Dub Store Records JPN 1987
N/A
Previously unreleased material from Prince Junior – known for his killer digital hit “Crucial Boy” produced by Jammy. Taking in the essence of the aboriginal roots flavor along with Jammy’s rugged bassline, it makes up the melancholic digital roots music. Prince Junior approaches this sound killer forcibly and directly, yet sings up softly to showcase his low-keyed performance skills.
Super Black - Bad Woman / Bad Woman Version
Prince Jammys Dub / Dub Store Records JPN 1987
¥1480 (US$9.59)
Another unreleased rare material only heard on dubplates previously. Jammy’s iconic heavy bassline and melodious instrumentals in minor scale represent his production style from around 87’. Super Black sorrowfully sings man’s pure heart in this lover’s dancehall tune.
Skatalites, Sir Lord Comic - Lon Chaney / Upsetters - Country Girl
King Edwards UK 1965
¥1380 (US$8.94)
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.
Roland Alphonso - From Russia With Love / Cleopatra
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2180 (US$14.13)
The both-sided killer Ska instrumental masterpiece - all Ska collectors have been searching for! The Skatalites playing the theme of James Bond’s “From Russia With Love” is a true Ska instrumental masterpiece, which needs no introduction. Like the original release, it’s gorgeously backed with “Cleopatra” on the B-side. Taken straight from the original master-tape, this is a dream come true single!
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.
Augustus Pablo - Bedroom Mazurka / Scotty - Children Children
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1973/ 1970
¥1380 (US$8.94)
On Keith & Tex' classic tune 'Tonight,' Augustus Pablo's melodica echoes along the entire track mysteriously, while the fascinating female vocalist Fay quotes breathy lines from the popular German soft porn film Bedroom Mazurka. The flip side features Scotty's DJ version to 'Tonight.'
Rasta Vibes, Johnny Osbourne - Ice Cream Sound / Rasta Vibes, Ini Kamoze - World A Jungle Music
Rasta EU 2014
A: Real Rock B: World A Music/Jamrock
N/A
Blues Busters - There's Always Sunshine / Maytals - Sometimes (Love Is A Special Feeling)
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.13)
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.
Keith & Tex - Stop That Train / Bobby Ellis, Jets - Feeling Peckish
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Without any explanation, ‘Stop That Train’ by Keith & Tex is a true Rocksteady classic of all times. The song stands tall in Reggae music history and a biggest hit among Derrick Harriott’s catalogue. Side B features Memphis Soul Rocksteady instrumental, just like a trendy song from Stax Records. Now reissued for the first time with these original recordings on both sides.
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.
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$14.13)
Tommy Mccook - Road Block (Original Stamper) / Lee Perry - Chatty Chatty Woman
Studio One 1964
¥850 (US$5.51)
Hippy Boys - Bangalang Shangalang / Barry Bailey - I Am Lonely
Big Sax Records / Reggae Fever EU 1969
¥1630 (US$10.56)
Santic - Father Will Cut You Off / Well Cut Dub
Mutual Life UK / Santic Records 1975
¥1480 ¥1280 (US$8.30)
Chuck Turner - Ah No Me She Love / Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1989
¥1980 (US$12.83)
Nothing happens without Chuck Turner on those Jammy’s melancholic digital rhythms. Although his compatibility is easily proven on tunes like “We Rule Dancehall” and “Run Around Girl”, this piece sits on top of everything. With his pleasantly different falset voice, Chuck Turner soulfully sings on this exquisite rhythm with significant melody. This brilliant music has even got a slight feeling of a modern piece - that is exactly when you realise the Jammy’s magic touch
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.13)
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.
Blues Busters - Soon You'll Be Gone / I Don't Know
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$14.13)
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.
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.
Dennis Brown - Tracks Of Life / Nitty Gritty - Rub A Dub Kill You
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1986
N/A
Coupling tracks by two of the most lamented and legendary artists who both recorded great albums for Jammy. For some reason Jammy’s magic makes Dennis Brown’s vocal sounds so much better and this heavy digital remake of the Studio One classic, “Swing Easy” is just another example. It is also known as the same rhythm track for King Everal – Bad Girls. On the B-side, riding on the heavy tensional track, the charismatic vocalist from the 80’s, Nitty Gritty presents a smoky vocal warning all the soundboy out there.
Episodes - Blacker Than Black / Don One Rhythm Section - Highly Mental Version
Don One / Bond Export / Deeper Knowledge US 1974
¥900 ¥699 (US$4.53)
Producer Danny Ffrench's DON 1 label only had a trio of releases, but all were stellar.
Carlene Davis, Sister Marie - None A Jah Jah Children No Cry
EKO 1995
Info: Adapted, Ras Micheal & Sons Of Negus
N/A
Ernest Ranglin - Mod Mod Ranglin
N/A
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.
Cecil Lloyd - A Night In Jamaica With Cecil Lloyd (jacket Damage)
¥2880 (US$18.67)
First ever re-issue of 1965 Jamaican Latin-Calypso-Jazz album by the piano genius Cecil Lloyd, who led a 20-piece hotel band from the age of seventeen. In 1959, the maestro was asked to record an album for 20th Century Fox and he later released three albums on Studio One. Featuring a solid rhythm section with conga and percussion, A Night in Jamaica was produced by Ken Khouri for Federal's Kentone label. This enduring masterpiece still echoes across the beautiful Caribbean Sea.
Hopeton Lewis - Take It Easy With The Rock Steady Beat
N/A
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 considered as one of the ten most important albums in Reggae history. The descent from Ska, which had its derivation from Jazz or Rhythm and Blues, to Rocksteady, with its various potential elements which would be passed to the next decade of Reggae, has been allegedly created in this album with Trinidadian guitarist Lynn Taitt and his band The Jets as the backing band. Entitled “Take It Easy With The Rock Steady Beat!”, most of the tunes featured in this album were written for praising dancehall as if he’d have known this genre was going to rule the dance floors. Among the tunes in this album, “This Music Got Soul” was the coolest of all and called out the dawn of the Rocksteady era. This tune had a huge influence on the future developments of Reggae music.
Hopeton Lewis - Take It Easy With The Rock Steady Beat
¥2500 (US$16.20)
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 considered as one of the ten most important albums in Reggae history. The descent from Ska, which had its derivation from Jazz or Rhythm and Blues, to Rocksteady, with its various potential elements which would be passed to the next decade of Reggae, has been allegedly created in this album with Trinidadian guitarist Lynn Taitt and his band The Jets as the backing band. Entitled “Take It Easy With The Rock Steady Beat!”, most of the tunes featured in this album were written for praising dancehall as if he’d have known this genre was going to rule the dance floors. Among the tunes in this album, “This Music Got Soul” was the coolest of all and called out the dawn of the Rocksteady era. This tune had a huge influence on the future developments of Reggae music.
Leslie Butler - Reggae Rhapsody; Version / Willie Lindo - Mystic Mood; Version
Federal / Dub Store Records JPN 1973
N/A
Classic ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, the original version of ‘Reggae Rhapsody’, was written by notable American composer and solo pianist George Gershwin in 1924. Nearly 50 years after, in 1973, Eumir Deodato edited the song and released it on CTI Records, which label was favored by Black music fans at that time. Leslie Butler recorded his keyboard version shortly after the release of Eumir Deodato version. This is another rare recording to be reissued for the very first time from the Federal catalogue. Side B features a Reggae fusion instrumental ‘Mystic Mood’ by Willie Lindo. The song became a hit and earned a position in his LP titled ‘Far and Distant’.
Akio Nagase, Green Green - Groove / Akio Nagase, Hamatai, Live.J - Rude Man
Rudiments JPN / Concent 2009
N/A
Minstrells - People Get Ready / Hamlins - Everyone Got To Be There
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.13)
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.
Roland Alphonso - Stranger For Durango / Sounds Of Silence
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
'Stranger For Durango is a bright instrumental performed by Roland Alphonso. Ska/Rocksteady lover's delight! The song also features remarkable solo on keyboard. The musician remakes Simon & Garfunkle's 'Sound of Silence' in a graceful Rocksteady style. Those recordings were originally released in 1966 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.
Wailing Souls - Move On / Wackad - Cry For The Youths
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1988/ 1989
N/A
Originally started as The Renegades onto The Classics, one of the most prominent vocal groups, Wailing Souls have been keeping it authentic since the 60’s. Although they did not record that many at the digital dancehall era this one has been well received since day. Having both roots and dancehall elements is one of the key factors of King Jammy’s sound and this one remains as a masterpiece with the sorrow vocals by Wailing Souls. On the flip an enormously rare Wackad – Cry For The Youth who only released a few tracks from the late 80’s and early 90’s. Previously this can only be heard as a part of the compilation “King Jammy: A Man & His Music vol.1”.
Cornell Campbell - Nothing Don't Come Easy / Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1987
¥1380 (US$8.94)
Even after releasing the legendary “Sleng Teng” rhythm, King Jammy continued to produce hits after hits such as “Punnany”, “Duck” and many more. There is no doubt that he was at the top of the digital dancehall scene back then. Although he had put out an uncountable number of releases towards the end of the 80’s, this is one of the popular and rare tunes among record collectors. Beautifully sang in falset by Cornell Campbell on this melancholic digital rhythm makes it an excellent masterpiece.
Admiral Tibet - Victim Of Babylon / Version
Jammys / Dub Store Records JPN 1991
N/A
It is impossible not to mention Admiral Tibet when talking about Jammy’s golden digital era in the 80’s. With hits like “Running From Reality” and “Reality Time”, this is indeed another killer piece he recorded for Jammy. Working in combination with a jaunty rhythm with rough and tough bassline, the vocal instantly becomes prominent with its unforgettable chorus bringing even more drive to the music. When listening to the version on the flip, there is a great appreciation for utter simplicity in how Jammy builds his rhythms.
Well Pleased, Satisfied - Sweetie Come From America / Revolutionaries
High Note / Onlyroots EU 1977
N/A