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Phyllis Dillon - Don't Stay Away / Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Starry Night
Treasure Isle UK 1967
¥2180 (US$13.90)
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.
Various Artists - Dancing Down Orange Street
¥2880 (US$18.37)
A seriously sought after classic album of rocksteady and uptempo reggae hits
from 1969
The Gaylads - It's Hard To Confess / The Gaylads - I Need Your Loving
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2080 (US$13.26)
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$10.08)
Blues Busters - There's Always Sunshine / Maytals - Sometimes (Love Is A Special Feeling)
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.90)
A magnificent Rocksteady piece in one-off style sang by one of the groups that represent the golden age of Ska. Since the number of their recordings decreased devastatingly after the Ska era, this truly is a rare Rocksteady made in its top form with the veteran’s dignity. In addition, this is the own Rocksteady cover version of one of their first ever recordings at the Coxsone’s in 1960.
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.
Ernest Ranglin - Mr. Ranglin With Soul
¥3680 (US$23.47)
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.
Roland Alphonso - ABC Rocksteady
¥2376 (US$15.15)
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.
Carl Dawkins - Baby I Love You / Val Bennett - Cabbageleaf
Jj / Reggae Fever EU 1967
¥1680 (US$10.71)
Don T Lee - Cool Cool Rocksteady / Glen Adams, Alva Lewis - S-H-I (I'm Shocking)
Pressure Sounds UK 1968
¥2180 (US$13.90)
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.90)
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$13.90)
Gaylads - Looking For A Girl / Aren't You The Guy
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$13.90)
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.
The Valentines - All In One / Leslie Butler - Top Cat
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.08)
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.
Techniques - You Are My Everything / What Am I To Do
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.63)
Techniques - I Feel Alive Again / Heart Of A Man
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$12.63)
Derick Morgan, George Dekker - Me Naw Give Up / Johnny Pram Pram
Hop / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥1380 (US$8.80)
Beverley Simmons - Train, Boats, Plane / Beverley Simmons - Please Don't Leave Me
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN
¥1980 (US$12.63)
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.
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.
Ernie Smith - Tell Me Why / Lyn Taitt, Jets - Mr Dooby
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967/ 1968
¥1380 (US$8.80)
Gaylettes - If You Can't Be Good / Mike Thompson - Rocksteady Wedding
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1380 (US$8.80)
Techniques - Traveling Man / Love Is Not A Gamble
Treasure Isle UK 1968
Travelling Man B: Love Is Not A Gamble
¥1980 (US$12.63)
Phyllis Dillon - Rock Steady / Tommy McCook - Soul Rock
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
¥1680 (US$10.71)
Sensations - Baby Love / Roy Cousins, Royals - We Are In The Mood
Treasure Isle UK 1969/ 1970
¥1180 (US$7.52)
Roland Alphonso - Sock It To Me / Spanish Tonians - Rudie Gets Plenty
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥1880 (US$11.99)
Roland Alphonso - Stream Of Life / Austin Faithful - I'm In A Rocking Mood
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥2080 (US$13.26)