At the same time that Neville ‘Bunny Wailer’ Livingston recorded his debut solo long playing masterpiece, ‘Blackheart Man’, he was also creating a series of singles for his own Solomonic label. These records were every bit as good, at times even better, but they have never been released outside of Jamaica. Until now…

Superlative 70’s dub masterpiece from the Blackheart Man Bunny Wailer

Subtle interpretations of cuts from Bunny’s ‘Blackheart Man’ album together with contemporaneous Solomonic disco mixes with unsung dub masters Sylvan Morris and Karl Pitterson at the control tower

At the same time that Neville ‘Bunny Wailer’ Livingston recorded his debut solo long playing masterpiece, ‘Blackheart Man’, he was also creating a series of singles for his own Solomonic label. These records were every bit as good, at times even better, but they have never been released outside of Jamaica. Until now…

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 considered as one of the ten most important albums in Reggae history. The descent from Ska, which had its derivation from Jazz or Rhythm and Blues, to Rocksteady, with its various potential elements which would be passed to the next decade of Reggae, has been allegedly created in this album with Trinidadian guitarist Lynn Taitt and his band The Jets as the backing band. Entitled “Take It Easy With The Rock Steady Beat!”, most of the tunes featured in this album were written for praising dancehall as if he’d have known this genre was going to rule the dance floors. Among the tunes in this album, “This Music Got Soul” was the coolest of all and called out the dawn of the Rocksteady era. This tune had a huge influence on the future developments of Reggae music.

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.

An unimpeachable classic considered to be the pinnacle of Rastafarian inspired music. Master drummer Count Ossie’s band, including the incomparable tenor saxophonist Cedric ‘I’m’ Brooks, recreate a Rasta grounation, or gathering, playing and chanting a sublime supplication, including Bible readings, in praise of Emperor Haile Selassie I

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.

Superbly arranged, second to none crossover anthem of reggae soul.

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.

A minor chord killer instrumental - the corpus of all the Family Man sounds. It is also a monumental piece of the Wailers Band. Like Eastern Memphis, this is one of the most talked about Family Man masterpiece. It clearly shows Family Man’s musical versatility not only as a bassist, but as a master musician. Although funnily enough it was the time when Jamaica was largely dominated by Deejays and Dancehall, the world famous Wailers Band never betrayed their fans by tightly keeping their “Wailers Sound”. It is a pleasure to listen to the strong belief and confidence in their music.

The Jamaican lovers masterpiece by Sharon Forrester and UK lovers classic.

Superlative reggae soul produced by Mikey Chung for his own Superstar imprint. Having both young Steely and Clevie in the band, when you think of the further development in reggae music, this production was crucial. Compared to Geoffrey’s high quality lustrous reggae soul this Jackson 5 cover is slightly different and lean towards the beauty of Jamaican pops sounds.

One of the best cover versions of a Philadelphia Soul classic, "People Makes The World Go Round" is performed by Chosen Few, who were idolizing The Stylistics so much. The flip side “Brown Baby" is another Funky Reggae vocal sang by the producer Derrick Harriott himself

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.

Ken Khouri’s Federal Records gave Jamaica its musical identity The Federal Record Manufacturing facility was the first pressing plant in Jamaica... their studio gave birth to mento, ska, rock steady and reggae of the highest calibre. This album features an astonishing selection of well known classics and rarities transferred straight from their master tape

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.

Founder of Jamaica’s first recording studio, Ken Khouri produced early ska classics
14 first-rate ska pieces including previously unreleased materials from undoubtedly the industry leading Federal Records that consisted the virtuoso Ernest Ranglin and co.

At the same time that Neville ‘Bunny Wailer’ Livingston recorded his debut solo long playing masterpiece, ‘Blackheart Man’, he was also creating a series of singles for his own Solomonic label. These records were every bit as good, at times even better, but they have never been released outside of Jamaica. Until now…

Double A-sided 7” featuring a killer Ska inst. From Jamaican harmonica virtuoso and Soul Brother’s killer horn Ska instrumental! One of the Studio One titles that the collectors have been looking everywhere to get hold of. Featuring no other than Rude Boy Charlie although it was stated as Bad Boy Charlie on the master-tape. An extremely rare take of Thunderball arranged by Jackie Mittoo on the flip side.

Obscure but undoubtedly a historical nyabinghi masterpiece played byy Count Ossie with organ virtuoso Leslie Butler. Backed with a genre defining "ABC Rock Stedy" by The Gaylads.

Previously unreleased early acoustic cut from master tape! Unprolific vocal group called Sharks (also spelled Sheiks) released the up-tempo original cut in 1965. The reissue features the original cut on the B-side and the early acoustic cut on the A-side. With raw double bass, deep acoustic guitar and backing chorus that reminds the chain gang work songs, the group sings astonishing love song. "I was so cold last night, You made me warm, with your heart, with your lips, with your charm"…The song purely transcends musical boundaries of the time and this is another Jamaican gem!

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!

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.

Opening the new series - recorded on 22nd March 1986, another cut to King Kong’s Victim that has never seen the light of day until today. Backed with Tubbys digital relick on Yabby You masterpiece.

Another unreleased material from Tubby’s studio. Although dancehall was the thing back then this tune is going to another direction by drawing a great roots vibes.

The vocal cut to Keith Hudson’s epic reggae funk “Melody Maker”. Recorded a couple years after the instrumental this tune must have made a quite a come back.

The golden hit of the early 70’s deejay craze in combination with Ken Boothe. The El Paso sound system deejay Dennis Alcapone showcasing repelling force and energy towards the others piling into the scene back then. One of the symbolic classics of the early deejay materials.

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.

One of the most accomplished producers of Dancehall era, Philip 'Fatis' Burrell who launched Vena label in the 80's and succeeded onto Xterminator until milleniums. Dub Store Records are delighted to present his highly sought after Dancehall materials to the world. This is a killer cut from "Nitty Gritty - Mulfunction" segment, Delroy Katt singing in well-trained voice riding on nimble and firing rhythm.

A very well-acquainted Dancehall classic rhythm "Tonight". Vena's version is without a doubt one of the top rated remakes alongside Jammys'. Melodious and melancholic arrangement meets Tonny Tuff's gourgeous singing - it's the true charm of Dancehall music.

Even though time and trends change drastically in the history Jamaican music however Sugar Minott managed to build a firm existance by his natural talent and trustworthy character. When this man sings he can colour anything from roots, dancehall and lovers to his own. “None Stop Rocking” is an excellent song that really showcases his sweet character.

Solid introduction of the island by the female conscious deejay Hempress Sative along with Mellow Mood and fellow Italian deejay Forelock.

Arguably one of the top modern roots combinations to come out in recent years produced by Dave Green, the drummer for Alborosie not to mention a refined dub cut by Italian maestro Paolo Baldini on flip.

From its heart-shaking intro, Conroy Smith’s fresh and piercing voice echo to deliver an intense song ‘Love Affair’. Considerably, the song is known for popularity within the Jammys catalogue. Recorded to the same rhythm track ‘In Thing’ by Wayne Smith.

Murder in the dancehall tonight! Jammy's leading artists boost up the sound system.

The heart and soul of dancehall - singing about the sound over crucial rhythms, challenging a sound boy to come test Jammy.

“Let Africa be our guiding star, OUR STAR OF DESTINY.” Marcus Mosiah Garvey

In 1967 Ras Michael began to play occasional recording sessions for Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd with Jackie Mittoo and Soul Vendors at Studio One. Instead of getting paid for his work Ras Michael requested studio time for recordings for his own Zion Disc productions as the Sons of Negus Churchical Host. Seven inch releases at Zion Disc in 1967 and 1968, included ‘A Psalm Of Praises To The Most High’, ‘Come Down’, ‘King’s Highway’ to name a few, and all were unequivocal in form and content. The records did not trouble charts and none were released outside of Kingston…