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Bobby Aitken, Caribbeats - One Way Street / Crying Time
BA / Bond Export / Deeper Knowledge US 196-
N/A
Owen Gray - Give Me A Little Sign / Raver
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$15.06)
A perfect, yet low-keyed, Studio One Rocksteady double A-sided masterpiece!! Recorded in 1967 while Clement Dodd and Soul Vendors were on tour in the UK. The former Jamaican popular singer Owen Gray, who had already been living there then, voiced these unique pieces. It sounds very different from the ones recorded at Brentford Road, although both tunes certainly have the "Coxsone Sound" ? A masterpiece that is refined, and maximize the talent of this one-time star. Only 'The Raver' was recorded from the original master-tape.
Stephen Cheng - Always Together / Sam Carty - Rich Man, Poor Man
BMN / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$15.06)
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.
Pat Kelly & The Uniques - Little Boy Blue / Glen Adams - I Can't Help It
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
The Paragons - Man Next Door / Left With A Broken Heart
Supertone / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
David Anthony - All Night / Derrick Harriott, Crystalites - Tickler
Crystal / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$13.68)
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.
Glen Adams - Hold Down Miss Winey / Glen Adams - I Remember
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1480 (US$10.23)
Soul Brothers - Freedom Sounds / Freedom Sounds Take 2
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥2180 (US$15.06)
The astonishing take of previously unpublished Rocksteady - reveals new facts about Studio One’s Ska and Rocksteady! A few years after the Skatalites recorded the famous “Freedom Sounds”, the band has reconstructed as the Soul Brothers and this is the astonishing, previously unpublished take of them playing the Rocksteady version. By the look of the master-tape, it has never even planned to be released as a single and kept especially for the LP release, which might have meant to be the Soul Brothers version of the Skatalites’ iconic “Ska Authentic” album. This seriously rare recording is a must-check for everyone from the beginners of the Jamaican music to the Ska masters. Though as might be expected, we may never be able to measure the depth of the foundation studio.
Roy Richards - Summertime / Sound Dimension - Soulful Strut
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥2180 (US$15.06)
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.
Techniques - Man Of My Word / Time Has Come
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
Ken Boothe - Can't You See / I Remember Someone
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
A pair of all time classics, soulful lovers rocksteady vocals sang by the Mr. Rocksteady a.k.a. Ken Boothe.
Gaylads - Over The Rainbow's End / Leslie Butler - Revival
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
The Harmonizers - My Queen / The Valentines - Blam Blam Fever (Gunfever)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$15.06)
Delano Stewart - Rocking Sensation / The Gaysters - One Look
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
Val Bennett - The Russians Are Coming / Glen Adams - Lonely Girl
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
Historically renown Dave Brubeck's Take 5 covered in rocksteady style. It later became one of reggae's standard repertoire.
Ken Parker - A Change Gonna Come / Val Bennett - Jumping With Val
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
The Maytones - Loving Reggae / G. G. Rhythm Section - Rough Neck (Musical Beat)
GGs / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
The Gaylads - It's Hard To Confess / The Gaylads - I Need Your Loving
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2080 (US$14.37)
Keith & Tex - Goodbye Baby / What Kind Of Fool
Move & Groove / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$13.68)
'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.
Harmonizers - Go Back Home / Go Back Home (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.92)
Roots rock steady from The Harmonizers recorded around 1967 proclaiming to go back to Africa. Backed with previously unreleased alternative cut.
The Afrotones - If I'm In A Corner / Lynn Taitt & The Jets - The Hip Hug
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.92)
Moving rocksteady vocal from Delroy Williams, George Allison, Ricky Grant a.k.a The Afrotones backed with killer funky instrumental from the maestro.
Junior Soul - Miss Cushie / Miss Cushie (Alternative Take)
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.92)
Debut single from Junior Soul aka Junior Murvin for cat loving Sonia Pottinger before he went on to record with Derrick Harriott. Backed with previously unreleased take.
Stranger Cole & Patsy Millicent Todd - Your Photograph / Tell It To Me
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1580 (US$10.92)
Mad Lads - So Afraid / Techniques - Reason Why
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1480 (US$10.23)
Renegades - Mr. Hops / Oswald Sewell - Oh My Love
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$9.54)
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.
Ethiopians - You Got To Be Clean / Miss Nora
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1380 (US$9.54)
Previously unreleased material from the original master tape. Ethiopians recorded a couple of songs for Merritone label in 1976. During this proto-reggae/roots period, they surprisingly recorded this roots song 'You Got To Be Clean' with lyrics referring to "Zion" in 1966. Side B is a love song that expresses sentimental feelings of a boy who fail in love with a girl.
Henry Buckley - You Never Could Be True / Mike Thompson - Get Me To The Church On Time
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1380 (US$9.54)
Honeyed Rocksteady singer singing a sweet and sophisticated sounding original backed with a different take from another popular tune. Henry Buckley was supposed to be the next Rocksteady star after Hopeton Lewis, although in this tune he is credited as Henry IIIrd.Also Buckley was once called as Don Henry, so it seems Federal was perplexed how to promote him, however as a great singer, the quality of his music was always steady and promising. A previously unreleased material on the flip featuring a Rocksteady wedding song which had its name written on the master-tape.
Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number / Pressure Drop (Off Center)
Beverleys UK 1969
¥2280 (US$15.75)
Minstrells - People Get Ready / Hamlins - Everyone Got To Be There
Studio One / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
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.
Gaylads - Looking For A Girl / Aren't You The Guy
Links / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
For all collectors here is a great reissue of rare rocksteady from The Gaylads. Wonderful chorus works by the group that are thought to be some of the greatest works the Gaylads after Studio One era.
The Uniques - Gypsy Woman / Never Let Me Go
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$15.06)
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".
The School Boys (Jacob Miller) - Guilty Of Love (Love Is A Message) / O Tell Me
Bunny Lee / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥2180 (US$15.06)
Tartans - What You Gonna Do Now / Lynn Taitt, Jets - Pata Pata
Merritone / Dub Store Records JPN 1966
¥1980 (US$13.68)
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.
Techniques - You Are My Everything / What Am I To Do
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1968
¥1980 (US$13.68)
Techniques - I Feel Alive Again / Heart Of A Man
Techniques / Dub Store Records JPN 1969
¥1980 (US$13.68)
Johnny & The Attractions - Let's Get Together / Cross My Heart
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥1580 (US$10.92)
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 - Coming On The Scene / Anything You Want
Gay Feet / Dub Store Records JPN 1967
¥2180 (US$15.06)