Because of his superior talent and intense personality, one of the most ingenious pianists Leslie Butler had a lack of releases, however he was given an exceptional chance by the Federal Records to record this one of the most peculiar albums in the history of Jamaican music. This beautifully finished Jamaican Jazz Funk/Rare Groove album is mostly constructed with the traditional covers that all Jamaicans will know although with the wonderful arrangement, and very Jamaican, ensemble stripping aesthetics give the album a whole new character that can’t be heard elsewhere.This masterpiece should make it to the shelves of not only reggae fans but soul and jazz fans as well. Leslie always committed on making a serious piece of music - never liked to make either of Jamaican popular music or business-like commercial music. He had a strong belief of not letting others to control his talent. Therefore there were often conflicts between him and producers or he was not even given a chance to record anything at all. It’s a really sad story, but this unfortunate musician’s lifestyle can be heard on the recordings such as “Guitar In Ernest – Ernest Ranglin (DSR-LP / CD-501)” and “Reggae Rhapsody – Leslie Butler (DSR-FEDS12-001).” Perhaps with this album in addition, it might be all enough.

An anticipated full album from refined Japanese lovers rock singer, Asuka Ando. After gaining followers with her 7” and EP. Releases, Asuka finally puts out the full length including the single “See You In My Dreams”, and Fil Callender cover “Baby My Love” backed by the supreme Japanese musicians with the likes of Takumi Kaneko (Jazzy Sport), Koji Oishi (Little Tempo) and more.

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.

Charlie P is a ragamuffin rudeboy youth with a natural talent of music. Since he grew up surrounded by UK-Jamaican culture, reggae was in his blood. Charlie met Mungo’s Hi Fi while he was drawn to soundsystem culture in 2010. Since then they have done countless recording sessions and continuous touring around every corner of the globe. This album is the culmination of this ongoing relationship and brings together the best tracks across the styles that he loves, from roots reggae and dancehall to modern bass music.

Based on the Rhythm and Blues classic, this is a super rare uptempo Ska cover and for all Ska Man and the DJ’s!
Originally sung by Amos Milburn, in the 50’s this had been a sound system classic in Jamaica. There is nowhere else in the world but Jamaica could produce such a cover version and utterly convincing Drummond’s solo works nicely as a spice of this tune. Originally released on a blank label although it’s a super rare one to find - a proud copy to own and must have for all Ska Man. On the flip is a great vocal Ska yet the singer’s detail is completely unknown. *Recommended to pair this title with the instrumental version by Don Drummond on this very same series(DSR-FW7-04)

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.

Bunny continued to release records throughout the seventies that were never less than excellent and, as the new decade got underway, he came forward with one of his best ever releases: the militant clarion call 'Rise And Shine'. Stretched over two momentous sides of a UK twelve inch release, the record was a huge hit, but has been unavailable ever since. Bunny returned to the song on his superb 'Liberation' album at the close of the decade but the original cut has remained one of the most in-demand records on the 'revival' circuit.

Internationally acclaimed guitarist Ernest Ranglin with piano genius Leslie Butler in a dazzling quartet. Recorded in 1965.

A harmonica instrumental version of the all time favorite, Summertime and instrumental cover version of the Soul classic. Both are great interpretations of instrumental covers that are ranked definitely as two of the greatest Rocksteady tunes. Taken straight from its master tape, Summertime is a masterpiece that condensed the splendor of the blinded harmonica maestro and famed vocalist, Roy Richards. Originally released in 1968 by Young Holt Unlimited and scored a big hit, this great cover of the Soul classic, which sounds easily fitting the pattern of Sir Coxsone’s taste who was the huge fan of US hits, was played loosely and effortlessly by then newly formed Sound Dimension.

In the late 80's, not only Jammys but also many labels tried to score some hits by remake of a foundation rhythm 'Heavenless'. Among Jammys catalogue on this rhythm, 'We Gonna Rock It Tonight (Dub Plate Playing)' by Johnny Osbourne is known as the most popular number. Often hear sound systems playing this dub plates.

Trinidad born legendary guitarist, Lynn Taitt, who brought the first wave of Rocksteady to the Island, and Gladdy Anderson who is well known for a Skatalites' pianist, they both got together to record this Rocksteady instrumental album 'Glad Sounds' at Federal Studio in 1968. Released from the Merritone label, which was managed under the Federal. The album depicts the hay day and best sound of Rocksteady as well as label itself. First time to be reissued by Dub Store Records. The forth reissue of the Story Of Federal program by Dub Store Records. The original UK issue was released on the Big Shot label with a different jacket design. Album tracks consist mainly of cover versions of popular tracks, which were produced by Coxsone Dodd, Bunny Lee and Sonia Pottinger. Lynn Taitt and Gladstone Anderson added gentle flavors to their versions by their distinctive instrumental plays. Also Federal's recording facility made possible to maintain this sound quality. Certainly, this is another classic album to add to your collection shelf!!

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.

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.

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.

Bunny followed 'Search For Love' with 'Bide Up' another emotional tour de force and with a message so different that it takes a while to fully assimilate. He would later recut the song for his classic solo debut album 'Black Heart Man' but this is the original cut in all its glory. The B-side features one of the two Big Youth versions to the song and the Youth is at his peak here as he reinforces Bunny's message with own his plea for greater understanding: "Be unto one another like a man to a brother…"

Bunny produced a string of hits during the dance hall explosion of eighties where, backed by The Roots Radics, he continued to show the new generation how it should be done. The greatest of his dance hall style records was the self explanatory 'Rule Dance Hall' from 1987 originally released on the album of the same name and subsequently issued as a seven inch single. "East, west north and south I rule the land. I play original style while others play version…"

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

'Jam Down Posse' by Red Dragon was recorded on Studio One classic rhythm 'Far East', people might find familiar with famous hit song 'Tune In' by Cocoa Tea. King Jammy released two one-way albums on this rhythm and featured many singers/deejays. This song by Red Dragon is from one of those albums and one of the best songs on this rhythm.

One of the earliest works from the Redman’s catalogue. Little John, the dancehall veteran, performs on this steady rhythm to showcase his heart touching vocal skill. Pure roots elements are pushed to the forefront in terms of rhythm and song to create another classic Redman sound work.

In 1966, Bunny Wailer started singing spiritual lyrics before anyone else, and this masterpiece he sung about returning to Africa was written while he was still recording for Studio One. Although it was originally recorded for Studio One, it has never seen the day of light. Then Lee Perry recorded it again and released in 1971. This particular take was recorded especially for the album in 1976 and released from Island Records UK as a single.

Finally reissued, the murderous second cut of KC White's take on "No No No." A few years after his breakout 1973 tune, KC migrated to New York where he took up work at Brad's Record Den on White Plains Road in the Bronx, and began working at Bullwackie's nearby studio. It was around this time that he went back to JA and re-cut "No No No" in the updated 'rockers' style, heavier than before, and with the Heptones on harmonies. This tune was originally released as a 12" single on Brad's in-house Clocktower label, and never re-released since. Arguably better than his first take, if you like late '70s rockers this one is a must.

his pair of Brigadier Jerry tunes from the mid '70s were only ever played on dubplate by a select few sound systems. A young Briggy lays lyrics over Little Roy's "Christopher Columbus" and Albert Malawi's "Children of the Emperor", each with a great Sylvan Morris dub.