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Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Mughead Ska / Free For All
BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.59)
One of the most wanted Ska titles to date, this is an ultimate killer Ska instrumental for all DJs. An exclusive reissue of the utterly rare and unique title amongst all the Ska instrumentals! Some say the title of this super killer masterpiece was taken from the musician Barry Malcolm’s nickname “Mughead”. Backed with an excellent B-side ‘Free For All’just like the original release. There are no more instructions needed for this great release!
Skatalites - Freedom Sounds / Freedom Sounds (Early Take)
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$14.13)
‘Freedom Sounds’ is the glorious introduction to the iconic Ska LP “Ska Authentic from Studio One”, and also known as the opening theme for the band’s live performances. What’s more exciting is the early take unearthed for the very first time! Although it nearly got released with the 64-65’ masterpiece ‘From Russia With Love’, then eventually got cancelled due to the release of “Ska Authentic” LP. Compare to the ordinary recording that we’re familiar with, the unreleased take comes rougher but that is also brilliant and it will sound miraculously to all the Ska fans. There have been occasions that the band played this version at number of gigs, though it depends on who was leading the performance.
Lee Perry - Feel Like Jumping / Roland Alphonso - Christine Keeler
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN
¥2180 (US$14.13)
Ernest Ranglin, Selected Group - Free Form / Skalvouvia
Kentone / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
N/A
One of the most rare double A-sided singles recorded under direction of Ernest Ranglin, who was the musical director of Federal Recording Studio at the time. While this jazzy instrumental features superbsolos by trumpet and alto saxophone, Ernie leads this minor track from beginning to end and showcases his mighty guitar playing. On the flipside, remarkable solos by trumpet and alto saxophone are again featured on the bright mid-tempo track. The original 7inch format is almost impossible to find. These recordings are simply elegant Ska Instrumentals.
Roland Alphonso - From Russia With Love / Cleopatra
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2180 (US$14.13)
The both-sided killer Ska instrumental masterpiece - all Ska collectors have been searching for! The Skatalites playing the theme of James Bond’s “From Russia With Love” is a true Ska instrumental masterpiece, which needs no introduction. Like the original release, it’s gorgeously backed with “Cleopatra” on the B-side. Taken straight from the original master-tape, this is a dream come true single!
Monty Alexander, Cyclones - Summertime / Dog It
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1962
¥2080 (US$13.48)
An exotic cover of the standard - by young Monty Alexander for Studio One. Its heavy and exotic arrangement by Monty’s own the Cyclones could well be the version of the famous “Summertime” that Jamaica has been proud of, and also out of million others to date this stands out as one of the most distinguished covers of all. From a number of Coxsone’s own labels, this is one of the rarest and includes nice shuffle-instrumental on the other side like the original press. A very rare piece that the collectors have been searching for.
Wailers - Rock Sweet Rock / Jerk In Time
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$14.13)
The Wailers have recorded a number of tunes for Studio One, however this release still gets talked a lot as its specialty. Recorded just before they left Studio One, this double A-sided single includes two of the best tunes that lead by Bunny Wailer himself. It’s even possible to hear in this excellent music that the time has come to ripen for the band to see the vision of starting up their own Wail ‘N’ Soul ’M’ label. Both sides are identical to its original release.
Don Drummond - Last Call / Last Call Take 2
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2180 (US$14.13)
Known as a synonym for “killer”, this is one of the best singles released on Studio 1 by Don Drummond, including another precious take that’s been previously unreleased. Compare to any other artists, the extreme tension that Don Drummond brings into his sessions were next level. His trombone skills were above genius and it is clear to hear his strong personality and humanity through his music. With his works being released on Studio One and other productions, he had established the “Far Eastern Sound” which still lives today in Jamaica. The fact all the music that was influenced by this sound has been evaluated since therefore it is a proof of how his music is universality. It is interesting that all the unreleased Skatalites tracks from this era have different solo phrases each time, showing how valuable these recordings are for the archive.
Don Drummond - Rain Or Shine Take 2 / Rain Or Shine Take 3
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2180 (US$14.13)
Recorded at the height of the phenomenal carrier as the number one Ska band, these are never-released alternative takes of the ultimate instrumental Ska tune ‘Rain Or Shine’ by Skatalites and with respect, it should be called a product of miracle. Both are taken from the master tape. Recorded on the same session as ‘Last Call’ that Don Drummond was in charge, here we have two alternative takes of a seriously killer instrumental Ska which was featured as the introduction of the iconic Ska album “Ska Authentic Volume 2” Like ‘Freedom Sounds’ and other recordings made in the same period, the excavation and releasing of these tunes are much more important for Dub Store Records than the significance of the historic discovery of Pyramid! This is one extremely important and precious piece to complete the puzzle of the mystery of the late genius, Don Drummond and the magnificent tune for deep diggers of Reggae music. What a great Skatalites! What makes even cooler about this tune is that if you listen carefully for both sides, you will realize that each player is not playing a score at all; they all are improvising. It proves that they are undoubtedly the best Jamaican band of all time.
Don Drummond - Don D Special / Fidel
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥2080 (US$13.48)
The miraculous take of 'Fidel' which never came out back then! This is one of the most killer yet wonderfully tasteful masterpiece out of all the Don Drummond recordings. You wouldn’t call them fans if they didn’t know about ‘Fidel’, however this particular version has only been released on CD in the 90’s when Sir Coxsone compiled the “In Memory Of Don Drummond”. The monumental piece with the well deserved name, ‘Don D Special’ on the flip.
Monty And The Cyclones - Jazz Walking / Don Drummond & C. McLaughlin - Just Cool
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1960
¥2080 (US$13.48)
Roland Alphonso - Bongo Tango / Norma Fraser - Every Body
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1580 (US$10.24)
Llans Thelwell, His Celestials - Golden Horns / Choo Choo Ska
Soul / Dub Store Records JPN 1965
¥1480 (US$9.59)
The Celestials trademarked imminent sound can be heard in this elegiac killer Ska instrumental!! The bang on titled ‘Golden Horns’ representing the music itself. If they were ever based in Kingston, they may have had more opportunities for recordings which might have changed the history of Ska music. Such a great band indeed. Although it’s still quite a tune, it may sound a little monotonous on the flip side, showing Thelwell’s personal affection for Carlos Malcolm’s band.
Blues Busters - I Won't Let You Go / Love Me Forever
Kentone / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1964
¥2180 (US$14.13)
The big hit Ska classic everybody loves, sang by one of the top groups of the 60’s!! Along with the Maytals and the Wailers, the Blues Busters were one of the top groups at the time, however commercially they were going more of a mainstream than the others. Since their career goes way back in the late 50’s, they must have been idolized by so many of those who made their debut later in the Ska era. This is an essential mainstream Ska classic by the brilliantly skilled duo in their best form backed by no other than Byron Lee.
Roland Alphonso - Guantanamera Ska / Spanishtonians - Suffer Me Not
Pyramid UK / Beverleys 1967
¥2080 (US$13.48)
Zoot Simms, Roy Robinson - I'm Crying Over You (Original Stamper) / I Love You
Studio One 1960
¥2180 (US$14.13)
Roland Alphonso, Soul Brothers - Rollie Pollie (Original Stamper) / Roland Alphonso - Puzzle
Studio One 1965
¥1180 (US$7.65)
Delroy Wilson - Naughty People (Original Stamper) / Searching For You
Studio One 1963
¥850 (US$5.51)