|
Roland Alphonso - Ska Culation / Jack Sparrow - Ice Water
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$13.91)
The Skatalites’ killer shot interpretation of the world’s famous electric guitar inst, and the fully carnival-mode Ska played by a luxurious bunch of musicians. Originally played by the American electric guitar band, this is the proof of how Jamaicans won’t miss no trends. Guaranteed killer up-tempo Ska! Identical to the originals on flip by Jack Sparrow later known as Leonard Dillon of the Ethiopians, this praiseworthy piece features the Wailers on the backing vocal.
Skatalites - Freedom Sounds / Freedom Sounds (Early Take)
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$13.91)
‘Freedom Sounds’ is the glorious introduction to the iconic Ska LP “Ska Authentic from Studio One”, and also known as the opening theme for the band’s live performances. What’s more exciting is the early take unearthed for the very first time! Although it nearly got released with the 64-65’ masterpiece ‘From Russia With Love’, then eventually got cancelled due to the release of “Ska Authentic” LP. Compare to the ordinary recording that we’re familiar with, the unreleased take comes rougher but that is also brilliant and it will sound miraculously to all the Ska fans. There have been occasions that the band played this version at number of gigs, though it depends on who was leading the performance.
Byron Lee, Dragonaires - Frankenstein / Musical Pressure
Soul / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$13.91)
Soul Brothers, Wailers - Gujara Ska (Original Stamper) / Jackie Opel - Try Me
Studio One 1964/ 1965
N/A
Skatalites - Ska Easy (Coloured Vinyl) / Alton Ellis - Ska Beat
Randys US 1965
¥900 ¥2980 (US$19.02)
Skatalites - Black Joe (Coloured Vinyl) / Lord Creator - Passing Through
Randys US 1965
¥1980 (US$12.64)
Wailers - Rock Sweet Rock / Jerk In Time
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$13.91)
The Wailers have recorded a number of tunes for Studio One, however this release still gets talked a lot as its specialty. Recorded just before they left Studio One, this double A-sided single includes two of the best tunes that lead by Bunny Wailer himself. It’s even possible to hear in this excellent music that the time has come to ripen for the band to see the vision of starting up their own Wail ‘N’ Soul ’M’ label. Both sides are identical to its original release.
Roland Alphonso - From Russia With Love / Cleopatra
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2180 (US$13.91)
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!
Monty Alexander, Cyclones - Summertime / Dog It
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1962
¥2080 (US$13.27)
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.
Soulettes - That Ain't Right / One More Chance
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2080 (US$13.27)
Brimmed with the vibes, this un-released killer Ska cover was recorded when Rita Marley and the Soulettes were at their best. Although it had never been released back then, Chris Wilson and the Heartbeat crew compiled this as a part of compilation series in the 90’s. The great Mr. Coxsone Dodd knew what's going on; as a spice, he occasionally released some unpublished materials. Like the name "Soulettes" suggests, this type of Soul music is their specialty and this is a female vocal Ska masterpiece.
Don Drummond - Don D Special / Fidel
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2080 (US$13.27)
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.
Clive Wilson, Skatalites - One Ska, One Ounce Of Weed, One Beer / Federal Singers - Love Is All I Have
Federal / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2180 (US$13.91)
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)
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Mughead Ska / Free For All
BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.44)
One of the most wanted Ska titles to date, this is an ultimate killer Ska instrumental for all DJs. An exclusive reissue of the utterly rare and unique title amongst all the Ska instrumentals! Some say the title of this super killer masterpiece was taken from the musician Barry Malcolm’s nickname “Mughead”. Backed with an excellent B-side ‘Free For All’just like the original release. There are no more instructions needed for this great release!
Maytals, Skatalites - My Daily Food / One Look
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1980 (US$12.64)
A prominent singer backed by none other than the Skatalites, it is a symbolic Ska beat representing Kentone which will make everyone a smile. Although the Maytals have recorded Ska tunes for Studio One, Prince Buster and many more, they might have taken a further step when recording for the Jamaican music industry’s godfather, Ken Kouri by singing it well tight and fiery. Even for the Federal side, it must have been quite special to hire the Skatalites for this project. One minute and half might be a little too short for an A side, though this one will make you want to slip it in your DJ box every time.
Blues Busters - Soon You'll Be Gone / I Don't Know
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$13.91)
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.
Soul Brothers - Shanty Town Curfew / Laxton Ford - Finders Keepers
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1980 (US$12.64)
From rudeboy era of the early Merritone label, this is an elegant and refreshing instrumental Ska backed with a rudeboy vocal in pre-Rocksteady style. The A-side is an unusual instrumental Ska recorded remarkably at the Federal studio by the Studio One’s iconic session band the Soul Brothers. The B-side is a debut song by Laxton Ford who only recorded a very few pieces during his career. The lyric is built upon proverbs, which is a popular theme amongst Jamaicans. Recorded directly from the master-tape.
Bob Marley, Wailers - One Cup Of Coffee / Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Snow Boy
Beverleys UK 1962
¥2380 (US$15.19)
Tony Gregory, Marcia Griffiths - Baby Come On Home / Tony Gregory - Get Out Of My Life
Studio One 1965
¥1180 (US$7.53)
Blues Blenders - Shuffling Jug (Original Stamper) / Don Drummond - Scandal
Studio One 1963/ 1960
N/A
Bunny, Skitter - A Little Mashin (Coloured Vinyl) / Rico Rodriguez - Rico Special
Randys US 1964
N/A