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Delano Stewart - Rocking Sensation / The Gaysters - One Look
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$13.96)
Various - Merritone Rock Steady 3: Bang Bang Rock Steady 1966-1968
Dub Store Records JPN 1966- 1967
¥2780 (US$17.80)
Superior rock steady from the vaults of Federal Records
The third edition in this universally acclaimed series including giant of the genre, Hopeton Lewis, and a scintillating selection of hit records and previously unreleased material.
The Gaylads - It's Hard To Confess / The Gaylads - I Need Your Loving
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2080 (US$13.32)
Hopeton Lewis - Happy Christmas / Lester Sterling, Lyn Taitt, Jets - Lester Sterling Special
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967/ 1966
¥1380 (US$8.83)
A festive Christmas piece presented by the Federal ambassador, Hopeton Lewis, along with a previously unreleased cool Rocksteady instrumental. Hopeton Lewis, a.k.a. the Mr. Rocksteady celebrates the festive season with this happy piece. Flip is the Merritone trademarked, an elegant, yet respectable instrumental. As this has never seen the light of day, all the inst fans should have one in your collection.
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.96)
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.
Techniques - Where Were You / Just One Smile
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$12.68)
Phyllis Dillon - Don't Stay Away / Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Starry Night
Treasure Isle UK 1967
¥2180 (US$13.96)
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$13.96)
Desmond Dekker - Unity / Austin Faithful, Hippies - Ain't That Peculiar
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥1880 (US$12.04)
Various - Merritone Rock Steady 2: This Music Got Soul 1966-1967 (2LP)
Dub Store Records JPN 1966- 1967
¥5380 (US$34.44)
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.
Various - Merritone Rock Steady 3: Bang Bang Rock Steady 1966-1968 (2LP)
Dub Store Records JPN 1966- 1967
N/A
Superior rock steady from the vaults of Federal Records
The third edition in this universally acclaimed series including giant of the genre, Hopeton Lewis, and a scintillating selection of hit records and previously unreleased material.
Roland Alphonso - ABC Rocksteady
N/A
Rare and seriously sought after instrumental album of Gay Feet rocksteady hits from 1968.
Eleven elegant instrumental tracks, and one female vocal, showcasing the tenor sax artistry of master musician Roland Alphonso, ably assisted by Aubrey Adams on organ and the inestimable Lynn Taitt on guitar, interpreting a selection of Mrs Pottinger’s most memorable hits of the era.
Marcia Griffiths - Feel Like Jumping / Brenford Disco Set - (Pt. 2)
Soul Jazz Records UK 1968
¥2980 (US$19.08)
Hitones - Don't Play A Fool / Milton Boothe, Pat Harty, Milton Henry - Got To Be A T The Party
Deltone / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥1980 (US$12.68)
Johnny, Attractions - Call Of The Drums / Leslie Butler, Count Ossie - Call Of The Drums Rhythm 2
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2080 (US$13.32)
Marvellous binghi rock steady masterpiece by Count Ossie led Johnny & The Attractions. An unreleased alternative instrumentalal cut on flip.
The Valentines - All In One / Leslie Butler - Top Cat
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.12)
Also known as The Silvertones, lead by momorable piano riff The Valentine's uptempo chorus rocksteady and keyboard genius Leslie Butler's extra funky instrumental on flip. Both sides taken from the mastertape.
The Hippy Boys - Seven Heaven / The Hippy Boys - Seven Heaven (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.12)
Patsy Millicent Todd - It's So Hard Without You / Patsy Millicent Todd, Lennie Hibbert, Lynn Taitt & The Jets - Little Flea
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1580 (US$10.12)
The Fugitives - Musical Pressure / Musical Pressure (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.12)
The Fugitives' thrilling 1967 rocksteady instrumental backed with a previously unreleased cut taken from the master tape.
Stephen Cheng - Always Together / Sam Carty - Rich Man, Poor Man
BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.96)
Extremely rare rocksteady masterpiece recorded in 1967. Curiously sang in Chinese, this novelty record was originally pressed and spread within the Chinese community in Jamaica. Even though comparing to its entire population this island has exceptionally high rate of musical recordings, this could possibly be the only verified track solely sang in Chinese. One that has always been spoken about due to its oddity and should be succeeded eternally.
Gaylettes, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Silent River Runs Deep / I Like Your World
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
Judy Mowatt used to form a group called the Gaylettes in her early career although she is known for touring all over the world as a member of I Threes and the Wailers. 'Silent River Runs Deep' is the most known song and a hit for the group. 'I Like Your World' was also originally released on the A-side of another record released on Merritone label. Those recordings of this double A-sided single are certainly great enduring female Rocksteady songs of all time.
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.
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.
Derrick Harriott - Keep On Dancing / Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Now We Know (Instrumental)
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1380 (US$8.83)
Taken from the epic album‘Rock Steady Party’, this is the first time ever released on 7 inch single and is Derrick Harriott’s interpretation of praising Rocksteady dancehall. The B-side, ‘Now We Know’is an original single version of the song and this is the best example of how Crystalites play the rhythm.
Scotty - Draw Your Brakes / Worry
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1971
N/A
The main DJ of Harriott's production, Scotty, skillfully handles Keith & Tex' Rocksteady classic 'Stop That Train'. This is one of the most popular piece of music in Harriott's production. The flip side is available for the first time on vinyl that features Scotty's DJ cut to Derrick Harriott's moving ‘Do I Worry' track.
Lester Sterling, Lyn Taitt, Jets - Check Point Charlie / A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1980 (US$12.68)
The Merritone trademarked, a refined and lustrous Rockstready piece along with the cover ballad inst of a popular song. This Rocksteady inst represents another one of those utterly rare Merritone singles, backed with the original coupling song.
Ernie Smith - Tell Me Why / Lyn Taitt, Jets - Mr Dooby
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967/ 1968
¥1380 (US$8.83)
Lynn Taitt, Jets - Batman (Early Take) / Batman (Rehearsal)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1980 (US$12.68)
Phyllis Dillon - Rock Steady / Tommy McCook - Soul Rock
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
¥1680 (US$10.76)
Alton Ellis - La La Means I Love You / Melodians - Passion Love
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
La La Means I Love You/Precious
N/A