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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.
Clarendonians - Lonely Heartaches / Larry Marshall, Peter Austin - Money Girl
Shockin' Austin / Reggae Fever EU 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
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.
The Gaylads - It's Hard To Confess / The Gaylads - I Need Your Loving
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2080 (US$13.37)
Blues Busters - There's Always Sunshine / Maytals - Sometimes (Love Is A Special Feeling)
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.01)
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.
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.
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.
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 - 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.
Phyllis Dillon - Rock Steady / Tommy McCook - Soul Rock
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
¥1680 (US$10.80)
Roland Alphonso - ABC Rocksteady
N/A
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.
Various Artists - Dancing Down Orange Street
¥2880 (US$18.51)
A seriously sought after classic album of rocksteady and uptempo reggae hits
from 1969
Owen Gray, Bob Stackie, Collins Band - I'm Going To Take You Back / Owen Gray, Collins - I'm So Lonely
Collins Down Beat UK 1976
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Lynn Taitt & The Jets - To Sir With Love / Matt Sounds - Chain
G Stone Music JPN / Overheat Music JPN 2020
N/A
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.
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$13.37)
Marvellous binghi rock steady masterpiece by Count Ossie led Johnny & The Attractions. An unreleased alternative instrumentalal cut on flip.
Gaylads - Over The Rainbow's End / Leslie Butler - Revival
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
The Afrotones - If I'm In A Corner / Lynn Taitt & The Jets - The Hip Hug
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.16)
Moving rocksteady vocal from Delroy Williams, George Allison, Ricky Grant a.k.a The Afrotones backed with killer funky instrumental from the maestro.
The Hippy Boys - Seven Heaven / The Hippy Boys - Seven Heaven (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.16)
Patsy Millicent Todd - It's So Hard Without You / Patsy Millicent Todd, Lennie Hibbert, Lynn Taitt & The Jets - Little Flea
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1580 (US$10.16)
The Fugitives - Musical Pressure / Musical Pressure (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.16)
The Fugitives' thrilling 1967 rocksteady instrumental backed with a previously unreleased cut taken from the master tape.
Mad Lads - So Afraid / Techniques - Reason Why
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1480 (US$9.51)
Dawn Penn - I'll Let You Go / Diane Lawrence - Hound Dog
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.01)
Highly sought after double A-sided female rocksteady vocals. Dawn Penn cut of The Uniques – Let Me Go Girl. On flip side is another popular female vocal tune by Dian Lawrence that was also covered by Norma Frazer for Studio One
The Maytones - Loving Reggae / G. G. Rhythm Section - Rough Neck (Musical Beat)
GGs / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.01)
The Paragons - Memories By The Score / My Number One
Supertone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.73)
Invaders - Story Of Love / Holy Mountain
Sir Collins / Digikiller / Deeper Knowledge US 196-
¥1680 (US$10.80)
Another Invaders 45, "Story of Love" backed with its deejay version, "Holy Mountain." Another tune only released on a blank label originally, and thus the identity of the artists has long been speculated, but the mastertape revealed the mysterious Invaders again! "Story of Love" is an excellent early '70s tune, with great harmonies and organ, the flipside "Holy Mountain" being a deejay version on the same rhythm, with the vocalist chatting thanks and praises in Amharic, roots indeed.
Hopeton Lewis - Run If You Are Afraid / Sounds And Pressure
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
A rare previously unreleased Rocksteady by Federal’s star singer, Hopeton Lewis. This killer Rocksteady represents one of the traditional elements of Jamaica, as well as the Rude Boy themed warning which could be heard in the lyrics. These types of unreleased materials could only be dug out at such a profound label, Federal.