|
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.
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.
The Techniques & Friends - Winston Riley's Rock Steady & Early Reggae 1968-1969
Dub Store Records JPN 1968- 1969
¥3980 (US$25.58)
Winston Riley started his production career as a singer with an enviable track record, having formed the Techniques in 1962 and hitting the top of the charts two years later with the splendid ‘Little Did You Know’ for Duke Reid’s esteemed Treasure Isle label. When the frantic ska beat slowed down and turned into rocksteady Winston remained the only permanent component of the Techniques, arguably Jamaica’s finest vocal group.
As the beat changed yet again from rock steady to the faster reggae format, Winston’s thoughts turned to production, and he decided to create his own ‘Techniques’ label. A serious man with a serious work ethic, the quality of his music was apparent from the start as he released hit after hit, producing and singing as part of the different combinations of singers and vocal groups that he worked with.
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.
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.
Jackie Mittoo - Chinese Chicken / Put It On
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2080 (US$13.37)
The killer Rocksteady-Ska like a vital bridge between both of them, backed with a Mittoo’s nice vocal tune. Throned from the Skatalites to the Soul Vendors, this is the last form of the Studio One Ska and it’s very much like the Soul Vendor’s party piece. Along with the B-side, Jackie Mittoo had directed both and his marvelous creativity can be seen allover. Each of them recorded from the original master-tape.
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.
Joe Higgs - Sensation Of Love / Valentines - Sock It To Me Baby
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.15)
Previously unreleased Joe Higgs' extremely rare rock steady for Gay Feet. On flip a stunning chorus by The Valentines.
Derrick Morgan, Little Freddie - Just Want To Stay Here / Derrick Morgan, Blues Blenders - It's Alright
Hop / Reggae Fever EU 1966
¥1580 (US$10.15)
Dave Barker - Your Love Is A Game / Techniques - Lonely Man
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$12.72)
Val Bennett - The Russians Are Coming / Glen Adams - Lonely Girl
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Historically renown Dave Brubeck’s Take 5 covered in rocksteady style. It later became one of reggae’s standard repertoire.
Ken Parker - A Change Gonna Come / Val Bennett - Jumping With Val
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Pat Kelly & The Uniques - Little Boy Blue / Glen Adams - I Can't Help It
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Mellotones - What A Botheration / Silvertones - Broken Hearted Melody
Upsetter / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥1680 (US$10.80)
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 - Cool Collie / This Poor Boy
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
Originally released in 1966, 'Cool Collie' is sometimes considered as one of the first Rocksteady recordings. With hard hit paformance by the back band, Hepetone Lewis sings to free Ganja which is the one of the essential elements of Jamaican music tradition.B-side, Mr. Rocksteady performs a bitter love song in a minor key.
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Slim Smith - People Get Ready (Side A, B Label Reversed) / Errol Dunkley - I'm Going Home
Lee UK 1968
¥1980 (US$12.72)
Freddie McKay - Love Is A Treasure / Alton Ellis - I Can't Stand It
Treasure Isle UK 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Lee Perry, Lynn Taitt - Soul Food / Lynn Taitt Jets - Music Flames
Amalgamated UK 1968
¥2380 (US$15.29)