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Ernest Ranglin - Mr. Ranglin With Soul
¥3680 (US$23.86)
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.
Dennis Brown - Lips Of Wine / Crystalites - Stranger In Town
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1970
¥1380 (US$8.95)
Being known as Crown Prince of Reggae, this is Dennis Brown's commemorated first single and it was written and composed by Dennis himself. This is, of course, before he started recording at Studio One and is one of his best heartwarming songs. Crystalites' killer keyboard instrumental is featured on B-side and has been admired to listeners who have great appreciation for 1969-70’s up-tempo instrumentals.
Bunny Wailer - Rise & Shine / Solomonic Dub
Solomonic / Dub Store Records JPN 1981
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Bunny continued to release records throughout the seventies that were never less than excellent and, as the new decade got underway, he came forward with one of his best ever releases: the militant clarion call 'Rise And Shine'. Stretched over two momentous sides of a UK twelve inch release, the record was a huge hit, but has been unavailable ever since. Bunny returned to the song on his superb 'Liberation' album at the close of the decade but the original cut has remained one of the most in-demand records on the 'revival' circuit.
Sister Audrey - English Girl (Picture Sleeve) / Mad Professor - Bengali Dub
Ariwa UK 2018
¥3680 (US$23.86)
Duke Reid Group - Use Your Head / Stranger Cole - Thinking Of The Future
Treasure Isle UK 196-
¥1980 (US$12.84)
Owen & Leon Silvera - Practice What You Preach / Frank Cosmo - I'm All Alone
Treasure Isle UK 196-
¥1980 (US$12.84)
Stranger Cole - Always Remember Me / Owen & Leon Silvera - Want Me Cock
Treasure Isle UK 196-
¥1980 (US$12.84)
Owen & Leon Silvera - Love Me Or Leave Me / Duke Reid Group - Sing Ting Bury Yuh
Dutchess UK 196-
¥1680 (US$10.89)
Duke Reid Group - What A Bailing / Spanishtonians - You Wish Me Bad
Dutchess UK 196-
¥1980 (US$12.84)
Soul Brothers - East Man Ska / King Rocky & The Willows - You Were Wrong
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.24)
Bob Marley, Wailers - One Cup Of Coffee / Tommy McCook, Supersonics - Snow Boy
Beverleys UK 1962
¥2380 (US$15.43)
Ken Boothe - Old Fashioned Way / Earl Bailey - Moon Rock
Inbidimts / Dub Store Records JPN 1970
¥2180 (US$14.13)
Possibly the first hit from then a newcomer producer Keith Hudson along with the iconic Dennis Alcapone deejay cut this tune will be passed on forever.
Dawn Penn - I'll Let You Go / Diane Lawrence - Hound Dog
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.13)
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
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」
Freddie McKay - Love Is A Treasure / Alton Ellis - I Can't Stand It
Treasure Isle UK 1968
¥2180 (US$14.13)
Melodians - Rivers Of Babylon (edge Warp) / Sweet Sensation
Beverleys UK 1970/ 1969
¥2180 (US$14.13)
Various - Rebelmadiaq Sound Present Zero Stress Riddim (7"x3)
Rebelmadiaq Sound EU 2016
¥3960 ¥3480 (US$22.56)
Dennis Brown - We Remember Dennis Brown: Tribute To The Crown Prince Of Reggae (2cd)
VP US 2016
¥3280 (US$21.26)
Dennis Bovell - Dub Dem Silly Vol. 1 (Dub to Janet Kay 'Silly Games')
Arawak UK 1980
¥4400 (US$28.53)
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.
Llans Thelwell, Celestials - Llans Plays It All
¥2880 (US$18.67)
Miraculously recorded in 1965 when Ska was at its best, this is one of the rarest and killer LP to date. Llands Plays It All is constructed with a Caribbean coast vibe such as Ska, Jazz, Afto, R&B, Soul, Jump Up, Cha Cha Cha to name a few. However this killer Montegonian band is surprisingly tight, presenting second to none great performances. LP starts with “Jive Samba” by Cannonball Adderley, brilliantly arranged in the Afro-Caribbean Jazz style. Then moving on to some Jamaican R&B, to the featured track of the album “Mughead Ska”, a slightly longer version than the 7” cut (DSR-RN7-01), furthermore there is“Golden Horns”, this is an ultimate selection for all DJ’s and Selectors. This is definitely a must-have for shelves of the Jamaican music lovers.
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Recorded in 1964 at the Federal studio, this elegant yet unique previously unreleased album is said to be the origin of the Jamaican Mento meets 4 Beat Jazz. This brilliant album is one of the most important Jamaican Jazz recordings that Ernest Ranglin has ever made. Everything in this album starts with the traditional Caribbean Jazz classics and then develops into 4 Beat Jazz. Produced by Godfather of the Jamaican music, Ken Kouri, this album is nothing but deserves its title. You may want to add this next to the Guitar In Earnest [DSR-LP/CD-501] in your collection.
Ernest Ranglin - Softly With Ranglin
¥2880 (US$18.67)
Smooth, sophisticated sounds from the highly respected Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin.
Lynn Taitt & The Jets - Rock Steady Greatest Hits
N/A
Refined rock steady from the creator of the genre. Guitarist and arranger, Lynn Taitt, interprets some of the greatest hits of the era including variations of many of the melodies he originated for a number of Jamaica’s foremost artists and producers.