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The Maytones - Loving Reggae / G. G. Rhythm Section - Rough Neck (Musical Beat)
GGs / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.07)
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.
Ken Boothe - Can't You See / I Remember Someone
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.07)
A pair of all time classics, soulful lovers rocksteady vocals sang by the Mr. Rocksteady a.k.a. Ken Boothe.
Dawn Penn - I'll Let You Go / Diane Lawrence - Hound Dog
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.07)
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
Val Bennett - The Russians Are Coming / Glen Adams - Lonely Girl
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.07)
Historically renown Dave Brubeck’s Take 5 covered in rocksteady style. It later became one of reggae’s standard repertoire.
Zodiacs - Walk On By / Royals (Merritone Singers) - House Upon The Hill
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
N/A
This is a Rocksteady cut of the Zodiacs' 'Walk On By' released in 1967. They recorded the original Ska cut at Duke Reid's Treasure Isle. Rare Rocksteady classic with beautiful harmonies on a profound rhythm. On the B-side, this previously unreleased material 'House Upon The Hill' features an unknown vocal group called Merritone singers.
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.
Various - Derrick Harriott Rock Steady 1966-1969 (2LP)
Dub Store Records JPN 1966- 1969
Info: 2枚組、豪華見開きジャケット
¥4320 (US$27.88)
A selection of magical rocksteady music from one of the masters of the genre…One of the forerunners in Jamaican music from its very beginning, Derrick Harriott, along with a stellar cast, showcases the some superb rocksteady.
The Techniques & Friends - Winston Riley's Rock Steady & Early Reggae 1968-1969
Dub Store Records JPN 1968- 1969
¥3980 (US$25.69)
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.
Soul Vendors - Last Waltz / Hamlins - Sentimental Reason
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.07)
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.
Jimmy Riley & The Three Tops - You Should Have Known / The Three Tops - Great 68 Train
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2080 (US$13.42)
Glen Adams - Hold Down Miss Winey / Glen Adams - I Remember
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1480 (US$9.55)
The School Boys (Jacob Miller) - Guilty Of Love (Love Is A Message) / O Tell Me
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.07)
Pat Kelly & The Uniques - Little Boy Blue / Glen Adams - I Can't Help It
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.07)
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.
Keith & Tex - Lonely Man (Miss Credit) / Don't Look Back
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
Every song done by Keith & Tex had absolutely trusted in those qualities, and these laid back and relaxing tunes are no exception. On A-side features a mid-tempo Rocksteady and the flip side is their cover version of Temptations’ 1968 hit.
Noel Brown - Heartbreak Girl / Man's Temptation
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1380 (US$8.91)
Later became a vocalist for Chosen Few, Noel Brown's beautiful falsetto floats on this rare Rocksteady tune. It is also an interesting piece that recorded during the transition stage from Rocksteady to Reggae. These are only songs Noel Brown did for Derrick Harriott.
Gaylettes - If You Can't Be Good / Mike Thompson - Rocksteady Wedding
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1380 (US$8.91)
Phyllis Dillon - Rock Steady / Tommy McCook - Soul Rock
Treasure Isle UK 1968/ 1970
¥1680 (US$10.84)
Various - Merritone Rock Steady 2: This Music Got Soul 1966-1967 (2LP)
Dub Store Records JPN 1966- 1967
¥5380 (US$34.72)
American rhythm & blues fervour, boosted by a multitude of sound systems playing 78rpm records on increasingly larger sets, gripped Jamaica from the late forties onwards but, towards the end of the decade, the American audience began to move towards a somewhat softer sound. The driving rhythm & blues discs became increasingly hard to find and the more progressive Jamaican sound system operators, realising that they now needed to make their own music, turned to Kingston’s jazz and big band musicians to record one off custom cut discs. These were not initially intended for commercial release but designed solely for sound system play on acetate or ‘dub plates’ as they would later be termed. These ‘specials’ soon began to eclipse the popularity of American rhythm & blues and the demand for their locally produced music proved so great that the sound system operators began to release their music commercially on vinyl and became record producers. Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd, Duke Reid ‘The Trojan’ and Prince Buster, who operated his Voice Of The People Sound System, were among the first to establish themselves in this new role and the nascent Jamaican recording industry now went into overdrive.
In 1954 Ken Khouri had numbered among the first far sighted entrepreneurs to produce mento records with local musicians (mento is Jamaica’s original indigenous music) before progressing to opening Jamaica’s first record manufacturing plant. Three years later he moved his operation to Foreshore Road (later renamed Marcus Garvey Drive) where, with the assistance of the inestimable Graeme Goodall, he updated and upgraded his recording studio. The importance of this enterprising move was critical to the development of Jamaican music and its influence both profound and far reaching.
Various Artists - BMN Ska & Rock Steady: Always Together 1964-1968
Dub Store Records JPN 1964- 1968
¥3980 (US$25.69)
Marvellous music from Ronnie Nasally… one of the founding fathers of the Jamaican music business
Includes vital vocals from The Blues Busters and The Maytals, eccentric Chinese rock steady from Stephen Chang and one of the first deejay records, ‘Ska-ing West’, from the legendary Sir Lord Comic. Incomparable!
Derrick Harriott - Rock Steady Party
¥3680 (US$23.75)
A faultless selection of seriously sublime rock steady from Derrick Harriott. A timeless classic where one of the pivotal pioneers of Jamaican music lays down sweet melodies, mellow grooves and wall to wall soul.
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.
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$14.07)
Minstrells - People Get Ready / Hamlins - Everyone Got To Be There
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.07)
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$14.07)
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.
Hortense Ellis - Groovy Kind Of Love / The Three Tops - A Man Of Chances
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.07)
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$13.42)
Marvellous binghi rock steady masterpiece by Count Ossie led Johnny & The Attractions. An unreleased alternative instrumentalal cut on flip.
The Valentines - All In One / Leslie Butler - Top Cat
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.20)
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 Gaylads - It's Hard To Confess / The Gaylads - I Need Your Loving
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2080 (US$13.42)
The Hippy Boys - Seven Heaven / The Hippy Boys - Seven Heaven (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.20)
Delano Stewart - Rocking Sensation / The Gaysters - One Look
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.07)
Joe Bennett & The Fugitives - Living Soul / Living Soul (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.20)
Jo Jo Bennet's killer horn rocksteady with exceptional solo by Leslie Butler. Backed with previously unreleased alternative version.
The Fugitives - Musical Pressure / Musical Pressure (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.20)
The Fugitives' thrilling 1967 rocksteady instrumental backed with a previously unreleased cut taken from the master tape.
Johnny & The Attractions - Let's Get Together / Cross My Heart
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.20)
The most sought after Gay Feet rock steady rarity. Johnny & The Attractions draws a clear line between them and rock steady artists back then – diggin’ deep into the sounds. Seems obvious that they were already doing the style later known as roots reggae.
Johnny & The Attractions - I'm Moving On / The Conquerors - Blabba Mouth
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.20)
Patsy Millicent Todd - We Were Lovers / Stranger Cole & Patsy Millicent Todd - Give Me A Chance
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1580 (US$10.20)
Patsy Millicent Todd - I Don't Want To Be Hurt / Stranger Cole & Patsy Millicent Todd - Certify My Love
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.20)
The Melodians - A Little Nut Tree / You Are My Only Love
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1580 (US$10.20)
Blues Busters - There's Always Sunshine / Maytals - Sometimes (Love Is A Special Feeling)
Sunshine / BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.07)
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.
Dave Barker - Your Love Is A Game / Techniques - Lonely Man
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$12.78)
Techniques - I Feel Alive Again / Heart Of A Man
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$12.78)
Glen Adams - I Want To Hold Your Hand / Ann Reid - Remember Me
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$14.07)
Glen Brown pleasantly covering the familiar Beatles classic not to mention stunning arrangement by Bunny Lee. Backed with popular female rocksteady vocal
The Uniques - Gypsy Woman / Never Let Me Go
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$14.07)
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$14.07)
Alva Lewis - Revelation / Lester Sterling - Soul Voyage
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1480 (US$9.55)
The Uniques - I'm A Fool For You / Lester Sterling - Super Special
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1980 (US$12.78)
Ken Boothe - Happy Song / Reggae Boys - What You Gonna Do
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968/ 1969
¥2180 (US$14.07)
The Paragons - Memories By The Score / My Number One
Supertone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.78)
Renegades - Mr. Hops / Oswald Sewell - Oh My Love
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.91)
The Renegades consisted of Winston 'Pipe' Matthews, Lloyd 'Bread' McDonald and George 'Buddy' Haye and later became a group called the Wailing Souls. Definitely, ‘Mr. Hops’ is the most powerful Rocksteady vocal song among the whole Merritone catalogue. Originally released in 1966 and one of the rarest records you could never find. This record also features previously unreleased Ska vocal recording 'Oh My Love' from the original master tape.
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 - Dance All Night / What Can I Do
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.91)
‘Dance All Night’ is a hit song released by the Tartans, a Rocksteady legendary group that consisted of Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Lindberg Lewis, in 1966. Emphasized on double basses and piano, the song was made to praise sound system dances and it became one of the good old Rocksteady anthems of the Rude Boy era. On the B-side, the group sings ‘What I can do to save your life’ and warns rude boys for their action.
Hopeton Lewis - Cool Collie / This Poor Boy
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
Originally released in 1966, 'Cool Collie' is sometimes considered as one of the first Rocksteady recordings. With hard hit paformance by the back band, Hepetone Lewis sings to free Ganja which is the one of the essential elements of Jamaican music tradition.B-side, Mr. Rocksteady performs a bitter love song in a minor key.
Hopeton Lewis - Rock A Shacka / I Don't Want Trouble
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$8.91)
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.
Renegades - Knocking On My Door / Hopeton Lewis - Pick Yourself Up
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
N/A
The Renegades consisted of Winston 'Pipe' Matthews, Lloyd 'Bread' McDonald and George 'Buddy' Haye and later became a group called the Wailing Souls. ‘Knocking On My Door’ is one of their earliest Rocksteady works and it was originally released in 1966. It is also one of the rarest records hardly ever found. The record features previously unreleased Ska vocal recording ' Pick Youreself Up' by Hopeton Lewis from the original master tape.
Derrick Harriott - Keep On Dancing / Bobby Ellis, Desmond Miles Seven - Now We Know (Instrumental)
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1380 (US$8.91)
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.
Derrick Harriott - Do I Worry / Bobby Ellis, Crystalites - Shuntin
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
N/A
‘Do I Worry’is as important Rocksteady tune as Derrick Harriott’s other hit‘The Loser’in his vast catalog. The B-side features powerful horn blow and Bobby Ellis’ trumpet solo is nicely done. Reissued with these original recordings on both sides.
David Anthony - All Night / Derrick Harriott, Crystalites - Tickler
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$12.78)
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.
Keith & Tex - Goodbye Baby / What Kind Of Fool
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$12.78)
‘Goodbye Baby’ is another train theme Rocksteady by Keith & Tex who were expert at singing that subject just like their other classic ‘Stop That Train.’ The flip side features a mid-tempo Rocksteady that might sound monotonous in a way but is matching its lyrics beautifully.
Tartans - What You Gonna Do Now / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Pata Pata
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1980 (US$12.78)
The Tartans were like the 70’s reggae all-stars, and this is their early big hit along with a rare Lynn Taitt’s instrumental! Formed by Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton and Devon Russell, the Tartans brilliantly represent the “oldies but goodies’”vibe on the A-side. Flipping over to the B-side is the Lynn Taitt’s interpretation of the Miriam Makeba’s hit tune. Mysteriously it’s been unknown if this rare piece has been put out as a single or still being unreleased.
Hopeton Lewis - Run Down / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Napoleon Solo
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966/ 1967
N/A
The very first Merritone ska classic released under its project the Federal Ska! Featuring a classic Rocksteady tune from no other than Lynn Taitt on the flip. No one else but him should be qualified as the Mr. Rocksteay, Hopeton Lewis presents a rare early Ska! Reminding the good old days in Kingston with slow, nice and easy vibes. On the B-side, Lynn Taitt just proves again how tight and heavy the sound was at the Federal studio back then with this great piece of music.
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.
Sir Collins, Owen Gray - Take Off / Dudu, Stackie, Collins - Sweet Sweet Sweet
Collins Down Beat UK / Sir Collins 1968
N/A