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Roland Alphonso - ABC Rocksteady
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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.
Ken Boothe - Can't You See / I Remember Someone
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$13.91)
A pair of all time classics, soulful lovers rocksteady vocals sang by the Mr. Rocksteady a.k.a. Ken Boothe.
Keith & Tex - Stop That Train / Bobby Ellis, Jets - Feeling Peckish
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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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.
Owen Gray - Give Me A Little Sign / Raver
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.91)
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.
Carlton Manning - We Will Live & Love / The Soul Lads - I Am Yours Forever
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.08)
The debut song from Carlton Manning - elder brother of Lynford and Donald of The Abyssinians and later known for his Carlton and The Shoes releases for Studio One. On the flip side it’s a previously unreleased tune from The Soul Lads - later re-recorded and released on Treasure Isle with another cut which could be why this never saw the light of day.
Blues Busters - There's Always Sunshine / Maytals - Sometimes (Love Is A Special Feeling)
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.91)
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.
Tomorrow's Children - Bang Bang Rock Steady / Rain (Rock Steady)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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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.
Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Step Softly / Derrick Harriott - Walk The Streets
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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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.
Derrick Harriott - Loser / Derrick Harriott, Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Now We Know
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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‘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.
Slim Smith - People Get Ready (Side A, B Label Reversed) / Errol Dunkley - I'm Going Home
Lee UK 1968
¥1980 (US$12.64)
Hopeton Lewis - Take It Easy With The Rock Steady Beat
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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.
Marcia Griffiths - Feel Like Jumping / Brenford Disco Set - (Pt. 2)
Soul Jazz Records UK 1968
¥2980 (US$19.02)
Horace Hinds (Horace Andy) - Black Man's Country / Peter Austin - Time Is Getting Harder
Pressure Sounds UK 1968
¥1680 (US$10.72)
Hortense Ellis - Groovy Kind Of Love / The Three Tops - A Man Of Chances
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.91)
Gaylads - Looking For A Girl / Aren't You The Guy
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$13.91)
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.
Joe Higgs - Sensation Of Love / Valentines - Sock It To Me Baby
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.08)
Previously unreleased Joe Higgs' extremely rare rock steady for Gay Feet. On flip a stunning chorus by The Valentines.
Joe Higgs - Don't Come To My House No More / Conquerors - Listen To Me Baby
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.08)
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.
The Afrotones - If I'm In A Corner / Lynn Taitt & The Jets - The Hip Hug
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.08)
Moving rocksteady vocal from Delroy Williams, George Allison, Ricky Grant a.k.a The Afrotones backed with killer funky instrumental from the maestro.
The Fugitives - Musical Pressure / Musical Pressure (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.08)
The Fugitives' thrilling 1967 rocksteady instrumental backed with a previously unreleased cut taken from the master tape.
Zodiacs - Walk On By / Royals (Merritone Singers) - House Upon The Hill
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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This is a Rocksteady cut of the Zodiacs' 'Walk On By' released in 1967. They recorded the original Ska cut at Duke Reid's Treasure Isle. Rare Rocksteady classic with beautiful harmonies on a profound rhythm. On the B-side, this previously unreleased material 'House Upon The Hill' features an unknown vocal group called Merritone singers.
Lynn Taitt, Jets - Bat Man / Joker
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
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Lynn Taitt remakes theme songs from the movie "Batman" in killer Rocksteady style. Those cheerful instrumentals, which well represent the distinctive sound of Marritone label, were originally released in 1968.
Roland Alphonso - Sai Pan / Black Brothers - Born To Rule
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.81)
This deep Ska instrumental 'Sai Pan' features a beautiful solo by Roland Alphonso. The most sought after record of Merritone Ska and a crucial for all Ska lovers. On the flipside, the record features a mid-tempo Rude Boy Ska anthem 'Born To Rule' by Black Brothers, the song was taken straight from the original master tape for this reissue. Another hard to find record released in 1966.
Roland Alphonso - Stranger For Durango / Sounds Of Silence
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
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'Stranger For Durango is a bright instrumental performed by Roland Alphonso. Ska/Rocksteady lover's delight! The song also features remarkable solo on keyboard. The musician remakes Simon & Garfunkle's 'Sound of Silence' in a graceful Rocksteady style. Those recordings were originally released in 1966 and reissued from the original master tape.
Minstrels, Lynn Taitt, Jets - Hey There Lonely Girls / Hey There Lonely Girls (Acappella)
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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A very rare and beautiful Rocksteady tune that collectors are after for many years. The Minstrels released mere amount of records but all of them were top-notch recordings. This 1967 released powerful ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ is crucial for every Rocksteady fans. Acappella version of the song is included on the B-side.
Paragons - Talking Love / If I Were You
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
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‘Talking Love’ is a classic hit recording and known as one of the songs that represents Merritone label. Originally released in 1967 and features a Jamaican Soul on the B-side from the master tape.
Gaylettes - If You Can't Be Good / Mike Thompson - Rocksteady Wedding
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1380 (US$8.81)
Derrick Morgan, Desmond Dekker - What A Revenge / Beverley's All Stars - Soldering
Beverleys UK 1968
¥2180 (US$13.91)
Alton Ellis - La La Means I Love You / Melodians - Passion Love
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
La La Means I Love You/Precious
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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$12.64)
Sensations - Baby Love / Roy Cousins, Royals - We Are In The Mood
Treasure Isle UK 1969/ 1970
¥1180 (US$7.53)
Toots & The Maytals - Pee Pee Cluck Cluck / Beverley's All Stars - Monster
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1969
¥2180 (US$13.91)
Roland Alphonso - Stream Of Life / Austin Faithful - I'm In A Rocking Mood
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1968
¥2080 (US$13.27)