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The Paragons - Memories By The Score / My Number One
Supertone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.52)
Roland Alphonso - Stranger For Durango / Sounds Of Silence
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
'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.
Clarendonians - Lonely Heartaches / Larry Marshall, Peter Austin - Money Girl
Shockin' Austin / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥2180 (US$13.79)
Ken Boothe - Can't You See / I Remember Someone
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$13.79)
A pair of all time classics, soulful lovers rocksteady vocals sang by the Mr. Rocksteady a.k.a. Ken Boothe.
The Melodians - A Little Nut Tree / You Are My Only Love
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1580 (US$9.99)
Mad Lads - So Afraid / Techniques - Reason Why
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1480 (US$9.36)
Hopeton Lewis - Rock A Shacka / I Don't Want Trouble
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.73)
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.
Derrick Harriott - Reach Out I'll Be There / Bobby Ellis, Crystalites - Illya Kuryakin
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Derrick Harriott versions a Motown hit ‘Reach Out I Will Be There’. His killer version is a dancehall shaker and many might has been searching for this rare vinyl records as an essential for DJ selection. The Four Tops originally released the song in the mid 60’s. The mid-tempo organ instrumental ‘Illya Kuryakin’ feartures Ike Bennet’s powerful organ solo on the filpside.
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.
Slim Smith - People Get Ready (Side A, B Label Reversed) / Errol Dunkley - I'm Going Home
Lee UK 1968
¥1980 (US$12.52)
Ernest Ranglin - Mod Mod Ranglin
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 picked one of 10 pieces of the most important album of Reggae history.
Ernest Ranglin - Mr. Ranglin With Soul
¥3680 (US$23.28)
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.
Clarendonians - I'm Sorry / Tartans - Reggae Reggae All Night Long (Aka Let's Have Some Fun)
Shockin' Austin / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥1980 (US$12.52)
Derrick Morgan, Naomi Phillips - Time Marches On / Derrick Morgan, Pauline Morgan - Will You Marry Me
Hop / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥1980 (US$12.52)
Selectors - Want Your Love / Ranny Williams, Hippy Boys - Memphis Bop
Spade / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥1680 (US$10.63)
Owen Gray - Give Me A Little Sign / Raver
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.79)
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.
Gaylads - Looking For A Girl / Aren't You The Guy
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$13.79)
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$9.99)
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 Harmonizers - My Queen / The Valentines - Blam Blam Fever (Gunfever)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.79)
Patsy Millicent Todd - Just Like It Is / I Tell Myself
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966/ 1968
¥1580 (US$9.99)
Patsy Millicent Todd - We Were Lovers / Stranger Cole & Patsy Millicent Todd - Give Me A Chance
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1580 (US$9.99)
Stephen Cheng - Always Together / Sam Carty - Rich Man, Poor Man
BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$13.79)
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.
Val Bennett - The Russians Are Coming / Glen Adams - Lonely Girl
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$13.79)
Historically renown Dave Brubeck’s Take 5 covered in rocksteady style. It later became one of reggae’s standard repertoire.
The Maytones - Loving Reggae / G. G. Rhythm Section - Rough Neck (Musical Beat)
GGs / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$13.79)
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.
Keith & Tex - Tonight / Lynn Taitt, Desmond Miles Seven - You've Caught Me
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
A star duo at the Harriott’s production, Keith & Tex’s‘Tonight’is also the everlasting masterpiece in the history of Reggae music. There were many essential songs in his production from 1967 to 68 but‘Tonight’is obviously the most indispensable one. Lynn Tait plays a beautiful instrumental version to Melodians’ hit ‘You’ve Caught Me’ on the flip side. Reissued with these original recordings on both sides.
Noel Brown - Phoenix / Ike Bennett, Crystalites - Patricia
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1969/ 1968
N/A
A nice and easy Rocksteady tune 'Phoenix' was sung by Noel Brown who later became the vocalist for one of the most famous Soul Reggae groups, Chosen Few. The flip side featured a gorgeous keyboard inst by Ike Bennett.
Henry Buckley - With A Girl Like You / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Last Waltz
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
Just like Hopeton Lewis, Henry Buckley also was one of the star singers of the Federal Records and this is his relaxed yet consistent, nice Rocksteady piece from 1967. The other side is a cut taken from the monumental Rocksteady album 「Rocksteady Greatest Hits」
Phyllis Dillon - Rock Steady / Tommy McCook - Soul Rock
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
¥1680 (US$10.63)
Phyllis Dillon - Don't Stay Away / Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Starry Night
Treasure Isle UK 1967
¥2180 (US$13.79)
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2180 (US$13.79)