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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.
Various Artists - Dancing Down Orange Street
¥2880 (US$18.51)
A seriously sought after classic album of rocksteady and uptempo reggae hits
from 1969
Ernest Ranglin - Mr. Ranglin With Soul
¥3680 (US$23.65)
Unlike all the other musicians in those days, Ranglin was not allowed to go between studios to record and release music as he wished because he was an exclusive employee of the Federal records. Thus it’s really hard to find a Rocksteady record with his name on it. Although whenever he finds a spare time, he would go to Duke Reid’s studio and play the guitar and bass as a sideman, often playing sessions with Lynn Taitt. According to Ranglin himself, “I felt really comfortable being at Duke Reid’s studio”, though sadly there have not been a single release of his solo guitar tune which was recorded there. So here comes the album, it’s the rare Rocksteady instrumentals by the man himself. Some of the main features would be “Summertime”, “Flamingo” and “Hold Me Tight”, the wickedest selection of the moist Rocksteady that will certainly catch your heart. Other than that, it’s got an exotic intro and uptempo “Sling Shot”, relatively arranged towards pop direction “Don’t Sleep In the Subway” and some ballads to represent the Federal’s widely ranged style that won’t go off after a long time, exactly how this one of the biggest leading labels in Jamaica had thought of. This may not make Rude Boys in downtown growl, although it will clearly last eternally as Ranglin’s 60s best album to the future generations.
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.
Owen Gray - Give Me A Little Sign / Raver
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.01)
A perfect, yet low-keyed, Studio One Rocksteady double A-sided masterpiece!! Recorded in 1967 while Clement Dodd and Soul Vendors were on tour in the UK. The former Jamaican popular singer Owen Gray, who had already been living there then, voiced these unique pieces. It sounds very different from the ones recorded at Brentford Road, although both tunes certainly have the “Coxsone Sound” – A masterpiece that is refined, and maximize the talent of this one-time star. Only ‘The Raver’ was recorded from the original master-tape.
The Hippy Boys - Seven Heaven / The Hippy Boys - Seven Heaven (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.16)
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.
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.
Derrick Harriott - Do I Worry / Bobby Ellis, Crystalites - Shuntin
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
‘Do I Worry’is as important Rocksteady tune as Derrick Harriott’s other hit‘The Loser’in his vast catalog. The B-side features powerful horn blow and Bobby Ellis’ trumpet solo is nicely done. Reissued with these original recordings on both sides.
Keith & Tex - Hypnotizing Eyes / Down The Street
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
By Keith & Tex, a vocal duo who represented Derrick Harriott's production, 「Hypnotizing Eyes」 was a hugely popular tune released at the end of Rocksteady era. The B-side,「Down The Street」was a pioneering sound of up-tempo Reggae that became the major style in 1969. From 1968 to 69, they recorded enough songs to make an album and amazingly all of them were top-notch. Re-issued original songs on both sides.
Various - Merritone Rock Steady 2: This Music Got Soul 1966-1967 (2LP)
Dub Store Records JPN 1966- 1967
¥5380 (US$34.58)
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.
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.
Derrick Harriott - Rock Steady Party
¥3680 (US$23.65)
A faultless selection of seriously sublime rock steady from Derrick Harriott. A timeless classic where one of the pivotal pioneers of Jamaican music lays down sweet melodies, mellow grooves and wall to wall soul.
Lynn Taitt & The Jets - Rock Steady Greatest Hits
N/A
Refined rock steady from the creator of the genre. Guitarist and arranger, Lynn Taitt, interprets some of the greatest hits of the era including variations of many of the melodies he originated for a number of Jamaica’s foremost artists and producers.
Various - Merritone Rock Steady 3: Bang Bang Rock Steady 1966-1968
Dub Store Records JPN 1966- 1967
¥2780 (US$17.87)
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.
Joe Higgs - Dinah (Original Stamper) / Peter Austin, Freedom Singers - Have Faith
Studio One 1966
N/A
Clarendonians - I'll Never Try / Kingstonians - Why Wipe The Smile From Face
Shockin' Austin / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥1680 (US$10.80)
Clarendonians - Lonely Heartaches / Larry Marshall, Peter Austin - Money Girl
Shockin' Austin / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Clarendonians - I'm Sorry / Tartans - Reggae Reggae All Night Long (Aka Let's Have Some Fun)
Shockin' Austin / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥1980 (US$12.73)
Keeling Beckford - Hey Little Girl / Charlie Ace - Musical Combination
Deltone / Reggae Fever EU 1968/ 1971
¥1680 (US$10.80)
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$12.73)
Derrick Morgan, Naomi Phillips - Time Marches On / Derrick Morgan, Pauline Morgan - Will You Marry Me
Hop / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥1980 (US$12.73)
Minstrells - People Get Ready / Hamlins - Everyone Got To Be There
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
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.
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.01)
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.
Hortense Ellis - Groovy Kind Of Love / The Three Tops - A Man Of Chances
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Ken Boothe - Can't You See / I Remember Someone
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
A pair of all time classics, soulful lovers rocksteady vocals sang by the Mr. Rocksteady a.k.a. Ken Boothe.
Gaylads - Looking For A Girl / Aren't You The Guy
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
For all collectors here is a great reissue of rare rocksteady from The Gaylads. Wonderful chorus works by the group that are thought to be some of the greatest works the Gaylads after Studio One era.
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$13.37)
Marvellous binghi rock steady masterpiece by Count Ossie led Johnny & The Attractions. An unreleased alternative instrumentalal cut on flip.
Delano Stewart - Rocking Sensation / The Gaysters - One Look
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
The Fugitives - Musical Pressure / Musical Pressure (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.16)
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$14.01)
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.
Tomorrow's Children - Bang Bang Rock Steady / Rain (Rock Steady)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Tomorrow's Children were probably favored by uptown youths rather than downtown Rudies because of their funky, hard hitting sounds and lyrics. With those elements, they successfully created own killer style, which can be undoubtedly heard with ‘Bang Bang Rock Steady'. The group also versioned the Beatles' 'Rain' in fine Rocksteady style. The original record was released in 1967.
Hopeton Lewis - Rock A Shacka / I Don't Want Trouble
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.87)
Those rare songs did not appear Hopeton Lewis’s classic Rocksteady album Take It Easy. ‘Rock A Shacka’ is truly a Rocksteady classic of all times. It’s a must item for all Rocksteady fans. With his dearest hope, he calmly sings ‘I don’t want no trouble now, no no no. I just can’t take troubles now, no no no. So let’s together in unity, let’s togther in prosperity’ backed by version accompanying heavy bass.
Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Step Softly / Derrick Harriott - Walk The Streets
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Another enduring Rocksteady instrumental masterpiece by Bobby Ellis and Derrick Harriott’s timeless love song echoes sweet and bitter. Cool and dark ‘Step Softly’ is one of the most signature songs for Bobby Ellis and the greatest Rocksteady instrumental of all. The flip side is a best example of Harriott’s distinctive sound in Rocksteady era. The set of recordings are now reissued with original songs on both side.
Keith & Tex - Goodbye Baby / What Kind Of Fool
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$12.73)
‘Goodbye Baby’ is another train theme Rocksteady by Keith & Tex who were expert at singing that subject just like their other classic ‘Stop That Train.’ The flip side features a mid-tempo Rocksteady that might sound monotonous in a way but is matching its lyrics beautifully.
Hopeton Lewis - Happy Christmas / Lester Sterling, Lyn Taitt, Jets - Lester Sterling Special
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967/ 1966
¥1380 (US$8.87)
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.
Gaylettes - If You Can't Be Good / Mike Thompson - Rocksteady Wedding
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1380 (US$8.87)
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
Roland Alphonso - Sock It To Me / Spanish Tonians - Rudie Gets Plenty
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥1880 (US$12.08)
Roland Alphonso - Stream Of Life / Austin Faithful - I'm In A Rocking Mood
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥2080 (US$13.37)
Freddie McKay - Love Is A Treasure / Alton Ellis - I Can't Stand It
Treasure Isle UK 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Alton Ellis - Girl I've Got A Date / Blackman's World
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
Girl I've Got A Date B: Blackman's World
¥1980 (US$12.73)