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Stranger Cole & The Seraphines - We Shall Overcome / We Shall Overcome (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.15)
Released as The Seraphines prior to the formation of Stranger & Gladdy, fabulous chorus gem backed with previously unreleased cut on flip.
The Maytones - Loving Reggae / G. G. Rhythm Section - Rough Neck (Musical Beat)
GGs / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Techniques - Man Of My Word / Time Has Come
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
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.
Various - Reggae Anthology: Definitive Collection Of Federal Records (2CD)
VP US 1964- 1982
¥3880 (US$24.93)
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.
Roy Richards - Summertime / Sound Dimension - Soulful Strut
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥2180 (US$14.01)
A harmonica instrumental version of the all time favorite, Summertime and instrumental cover version of the Soul classic. Both are great interpretations of instrumental covers that are ranked definitely as two of the greatest Rocksteady tunes. Taken straight from its master tape, Summertime is a masterpiece that condensed the splendor of the blinded harmonica maestro and famed vocalist, Roy Richards. Originally released in 1968 by Young Holt Unlimited and scored a big hit, this great cover of the Soul classic, which sounds easily fitting the pattern of Sir Coxsone’s taste who was the huge fan of US hits, was played loosely and effortlessly by then newly formed Sound Dimension.
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.
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$13.36)
Marvellous binghi rock steady masterpiece by Count Ossie led Johnny & The Attractions. An unreleased alternative instrumentalal cut on flip.
The Gaylads - It's Hard To Confess / The Gaylads - I Need Your Loving
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2080 (US$13.36)
The Harmonizers - My Queen / The Valentines - Blam Blam Fever (Gunfever)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.01)
The Afrotones - Something New In My Heart / The Conquerors - Come To The Dance
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.15)
A pair of soulful rock steady classics from two of the finest choir groups that Gay Feet label had introduced, The Afrotones & The Conquerors.
Dave Barker - Your Love Is A Game / Techniques - Lonely Man
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$12.72)
Viceroys - Send Request / Errol Dunkley - Trying To Keep Me Down
Hop / Reggae Fever EU 1967
¥1980 (US$12.72)
The Uniques - Gypsy Woman / Never Let Me Go
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Rocksteady cover of the undoubtable Impressions’ anthem. Out of many rocksteady tunes this one stands out with its splendid arrange and engineering genius. Backed with The Uniques legendary “Never Let Me Go”.
Ken Parker - A Change Gonna Come / Val Bennett - Jumping With Val
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
The School Boys (Jacob Miller) - Guilty Of Love (Love Is A Message) / O Tell Me
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)
Ken Boothe - Happy Song / Reggae Boys - What You Gonna Do
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968/ 1969
¥2180 (US$14.01)
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.
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.
Tartans - Real Gone Sweet / It's Not Right
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.72)
This vocal group called the Tartans was indeed a Rocksteady dream group that consisted of Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Berg Lewis. The veterans worked on this fine love song ‘Real Gone Sweet’ in their early career. Their energetic performance can be fully heard on their sweet harmonies.
Tartans - I'm Ready / Rolling Rolling
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.87)
A debut song by Tartans, the group consisted of Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Berg Lewis. Beautiful Rocksteady songs on both sides. Interestingly, the master tape was credited under the name of “Eufhonies” instead of Tartans.
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.
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 - Keep On Dancing / Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Now We Know (Instrumental)
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1380 (US$8.87)
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.
David Anthony - All Night / Derrick Harriott, Crystalites - Tickler
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.72)
A fine vocal Rocksteady'All Night'is known as a killer dubplate owned by Duke Vin, who is regarded as a pioneer of sound system culture in UK. The flip side'The Ticker'was more popular than the A-side and in UK, allegedly no one else besides Duke Vin owned the vinyl until 90's. The song must have been a special attachment in his Dub Plate box.