|
Various - Merritone Rock Steady 1: Shanty Town Curfew 1966-1967
Dub Store Records JPN 1966- 1967
¥2780 (US$17.78)
American rhythm & blues fervour, boosted by a multitude of sound systems playing 78rpm records on increasingly larger sets, gripped Jamaica from the late forties onwards but, towards the end of the decade, the American audience began to move towards a somewhat softer sound. The driving rhythm & blues discs became increasingly hard to find and the more progressive Jamaican sound system operators, realising that they now needed to make their own music, turned to Kingston’s jazz and big band musicians to record one off custom cut discs. These were not initially intended for commercial release but designed solely for sound system play on acetate or ‘dub plates’ as they would later be termed. These ‘specials’ soon began to eclipse the popularity of American rhythm & blues and the demand for their locally produced music proved so great that the sound system operators began to release their music commercially on vinyl and became record producers. Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd, Duke Reid ‘The Trojan’ and Prince Buster, who operated his Voice Of The People Sound System, were among the first to establish themselves in this new role and the nascent Jamaican recording industry now went into overdrive.
In 1954 Ken Khouri had numbered among the first far sighted entrepreneurs to produce mento records with local musicians (mento is Jamaica’s original indigenous music) before progressing to opening Jamaica’s first record manufacturing plant. Three years later he moved his operation to Foreshore Road (later renamed Marcus Garvey Drive) where, with the assistance of the inestimable Graeme Goodall, he updated and upgraded his recording studio. The importance of this enterprising move was critical to the development of Jamaican music and its influence both profound and far reaching.
Blues Busters - I Won't Let You Go / Love Me Forever
Kentone / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$13.94)
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.
Soul Brothers - East Man Ska / King Rocky & The Willows - You Were Wrong
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.10)
Various - Merritone Rock Steady 1: Shanty Town Curfew 1966-1967 (2LP)
Dub Store Records JPN 1966- 1967
¥5380 (US$34.40)
Ken Khouri’s Federal Records gave Jamaica its musical identity The Federal Record Manufacturing facility was the first pressing plant in Jamaica... their studio gave birth to mento, ska, rock steady and reggae of the highest calibre. This album features an astonishing selection of well known classics and rarities transferred straight from their master tape
Don Drummond - Roll On Sweet Don / Cornell Campbell, Dimples - Jericho Road
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥1580 (US$10.10)
Rated as the world’s top five trombone players, here is a stunning reissue of rare killer ska by Don Drummond backed with an authentic vocal ska with Cornell Campbell.
Herman Hersang & His City Slickers - Hersang Hop / Don Drummond, Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso - Calypso Jazz (Iron Bar) (Alternative Take)
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1961
¥1580 (US$10.10)
Early ska instrumental with vibing call and response from the organ and guitar. Backed by the finest Jamaican jazz played by the likes of Don Drummon, Tomy McCook and Roland Alphonso.
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Golden Horns / Choo Choo Ska
Soul / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.46)
The Celestials trademarked imminent sound can be heard in this elegiac killer Ska instrumental!! The bang on titled ‘Golden Horns’ representing the music itself. If they were ever based in Kingston, they may have had more opportunities for recordings which might have changed the history of Ska music. Such a great band indeed. Although it’s still quite a tune, it may sound a little monotonous on the flip side, showing Thelwell’s personal affection for Carlos Malcolm’s band.
Blues Busters - Soon You'll Be Gone / I Don't Know
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$13.94)
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.
Granville Williams, His Orchestra - Wailin' / Granville Williams Orch. - Old McDonald
GWO / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1380 (US$8.82)
An ultimate super killer Ska instrumental by an extremely unprolific band, brilliantly recorded in stereo. Although this newly signed band recorded exclusively for Federal releasing an LP, they play a little commercial uptown sound, however the Skatalites admitted their inferiority to this band’s performances. The interestingly arranged “Old McDonald” on the flip features the guitarist Ernest Ranglin. Very rarely recorded in stereo for the time in Jamaica, only could have been done by the notorious Federal which clearly was known for its up-to-date setups.
Soulettes - One More Chance (Original Stamper) / Jackie Opel - Pity The Fool
Studio One 1965/ 1964
N/A
Skatalites - Latin Goes Ska Live: At The Blue Monk Jazz Gallery Kingston Jamaica
Jump Beat US (Org) 1983
Info: Original Press
N/A
Roland Alphonso - From Russia With Love / Cleopatra
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2180 (US$13.94)
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!
Roland Alphonso - Ska Culation / Jack Sparrow - Ice Water
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$13.94)
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.
Charlie Organaire - Bad Boy Charlie / Soul Brothers - Thunderball
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2080 (US$13.30)
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.
Don Drummond - Don D Special / Fidel
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2080 (US$13.30)
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.
Maytals, Don Drummond - Coppa / Come Along With Me
Federal / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
N/A
Freshly dug out uptempo Ska beats by Toots Hibbert and Don Drummond - apparently never been released before!
Recorded in 1965 when Ska was at its peak, those are the typical Maytals uptempo beats with an unmissable Don D’s solo part on both. Taken directly from the great Daddy Ken Khouri’s master-tape which belongs to the Federal Studio. It’s quite a combination to pull both the Maytals and the Skatalites together, although what’s more remarkable is the fact they have been unreleased for the whole time
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$13.94)
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)
Federal Singers - My Love / What To Do
Federal / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2080 (US$13.30)
Previously unreleased mysterious uptempo vocal sung by unknown female (or boy) singer!
Typical but good female vocal style and the harmonica solo makes it even sweeter – not to miss for all Ska fans. Although we could be a little familiar to her voice, it is hard to define her name since there was no mention on the master-tape. Another mysterious vocal on the flip makes this 7” a generous double-sider
Don Drummond, Skatalites - One Beer, One Scotch, One Burbon (Take 1) / One Beer, One Scotch, One Burbon (Take 2)
Federal / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1580 (US$10.10)
Previously unreleased rare instrumental Ska masterpieces based on Rhythm and Blues classic!
These are the previously unreleased two instrumental cuts of the cheerful cover of Amos Milburn’s Jamaican sound system classic in the 50’s sung by Clive Wilson. Clearly great and with full of vibes, if your are a Ska Man there is no way to avoid these special tunes. *Recommended to pair this with the vocal version by Clive Wilson released on this very same series (DSR-FW7-02)
Monty And The Cyclones - Jazz Walking / Don Drummond & C. McLaughlin - Just Cool
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1960
¥2080 (US$13.30)
Roland Alphonso - Bongo Tango / Norma Fraser - Every Body
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1580 (US$10.10)
Lee Perry - Feel Like Jumping / Roland Alphonso - Christine Keeler
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN
¥2180 (US$13.94)
Eric Monty Morris - Blackman Ska / A Spot In My Heart For You
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
N/A
Previously unreleased vocal materials from master tapes! Eric Monty Morris sings sufferers' protest song, "Blackman work so hard, but white man gets the money, the rich shall be richer, the poor shall be poorer, something must be done soon"… At the time, most of the artists including Eric Monty Morris mainly focused on singing about love but not about conscious themes so the recording was very exceptional. B-side features previously unreleased vocal material as well. It seems that both songs were recorded for the album "Jamaican Skarama (reissued by Dub Store Records: LP/CD503)" but did not end up on the album unfortunately.
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Mughead Ska / Free For All
BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.46)
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$12.66)
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.
Byron Lee, Dragonaires - Frankenstein / Musical Pressure
Soul / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$13.94)
Skatalites - Jones Town Special / Eric Monty Morris - Ungodly People
King Edwards UK 1963
¥1380 (US$8.82)
Sir Lord Comic, Skatalites - Four Seasons / Eric Monty Morris - River Come Down
Giant / King Edwards UK 1965
¥1380 (US$8.82)
Skatalites - African Queen / Bobby Aitken - Garden Of Eden
Giant / King Edwards UK 1964
¥1280 (US$8.19)
Roland Alphonso - Song For My Father / Nothing For Nothing
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1967
¥2180 (US$13.94)
Stranger Cole, Ken Boothe - Revelation (Coloured Vinyl) / Skatalites - Freedom Ska
Randys US 1964
¥1980 (US$12.66)
Skatalites - Man About Town / Eric Monty Morris - Love Can Make A Man
King Edwards UK 1964
¥1380 (US$8.82)
Skatalites - What A Skandal / Shenley Duffus - I'm A Lonely Boy
King Edwards UK 1964
¥1380 (US$8.82)
Skatalites, Sir Lord Comic - Lon Chaney / Upsetters - Country Girl
King Edwards UK 1965
¥1380 (US$8.82)
Skatalites - Ball & Fire / Paulette (Tonnets) - Every Time (Original Stamper)
Studio One 1965/ 1961
N/A
Roland Alphonso - Four Corners (Original Stamper) / Lascells Perkins, Dimples - Love Or Be Loved (Original Stamper)
Studio One 1963/ 1961
¥2180 (US$13.94)
Tommy Mccook - Road Block (Original Stamper) / Lee Perry - Chatty Chatty Woman
Studio One 1964
¥850 (US$5.44)
Delroy Wilson - Naughty People (Original Stamper) / Searching For You
Studio One 1963
¥850 (US$5.44)
Delroy Wilson - Ananias (Original Stamper) / Trevor Wilson - You Told Me You Care
Studio One 1965
¥2180 (US$13.94)
Aces - Can The Poor Survive (Original Stamper) / Charmers, Herman, His City Slickers - Lonely Boy
Studio One 1961
¥850 (US$5.44)
Blues Blenders - Shuffling Jug (Original Stamper) / Don Drummond - Scandal
Studio One 1963/ 1960
N/A
Soul Brothers, Wailers - Gujara Ska (Original Stamper) / Jackie Opel - Try Me
Studio One 1964/ 1965
N/A
Blues Busters - I Have Done You Wrong (Original Stamper) / Owen & Leon - Down The Road
Studio One 1962
¥1180 (US$7.55)