Thanks for the kind words; let me add that we also got soundsamples at our site, something like 1500 or so.
Two other significant databases i wanna point out (though there are even more than that): http://www.reggaeid.co.uk/
This one’s also based on Pupa Vlados body of work, but has many additions to it. Search function isn’t top-o-de-crop (in fact it’s nonexistent), but the data is fine, mostly. http://riddims.riddimkilla.com/
Not sure what data this based on; it’s quite barely designed (and french…) but it’s pretty good especially on releases from the nineties
Then there’s of course the great roots-archives.com, which doesn’t have any riddim info, but can provide lots of additional infos on tunes you may have stumbled upon on the other databases.
Hey Tim! Love the new site, especially the 100 best rocksteady thing…looking forward to hearing them all…if you’re looking for scans/music or whatever for this project, just drop me a line.
Best,
Matt
Cool Stuff and great to read your informative comments. But geez man if this is the tail-end of the list then can’t wait till ya hack it down to the last thirty…twenty….ten.
Well, you`ve done yourself proud here.I pop back here every now and again,`cos your the mutt`s nuts on Rocksteady info.All power to your Dancecrasher 100 Best Rocksteady Tunes.Keep up the good work.Excellent.
Definitely not New Years eve unfortunately. We’re currently having some venue difficulties and will make an announcement about this hopefully later today.
This post has caused offence to a former moderator of the Chatty Mouth board. I’m sorry this has happened, no disrespect was intended as the comments are all reasonably lighthearted which I believe is clear.
Meanwhile the people at the Pama forum are a bunch of cheats 😉
I’d be interested to see you list them in order of importance/usefulness Tim – (although I fully appreciate why you might not want to).
For all the drama on that board, the people on ‘Chatty Mouth’ have consistently been the most useful/knowledgeable/forthcoming for me when I’ve been seeking information about Alpha old boys. B&F a close second – but perhaps less useful now than it once was.
Christopher Porter who wrote that piece is a good writer and a good guy. He kindly let me use his great article about Dizzy Reece and the great pics that go with it on my ABS page.
I wouldn’t dare Baldy 😉
Seriously though I’d say I enjoy Blood And Fire and Pama the best. As for Chatty Mouth, after the latest outbursts, childish digs and abuse I doubt I’ll be posting there again. Life’s too short…
That’s a pity in a way as it means a hiatus from a great reggae night, but I can’t say that I liked the Embassy at all compared to Catch from my brief experience of it.
Amazing… can’t wait to arrive home for listening the tunes! And this is the end of the list…? how will be the first 10 tunes? Good work!
Happy 1968 🙂
Dani
great initiative and a nice read/listen. cant wait or the rest of the list. just wantde to point out two of the most famous ‘versions’ of gir iv’e got a dat: Harry J’s Liquidator and the non reggae version of the Staple singers ‘Ill Take you there’ , to my knowlegde te only time a reggae song gets a soul/funk version, usually it is the other way around.
That’s interesting I’m aware of the similarities between the two but never thought of Liquidator as a version of Girl I’ve Got A Date. I’ll go away and have another listen.
Hey guess what? the hottest reggae singer Ava leigh who’s worked with the famous Sly n Robbie, Nick Manasseh, and future cut has free music you can download at http://www.avaleigh.co.uk ?check it out.
Love your work and can’t wait to see the future additions. I’ll be interested to see where Desmond Dekker’s Fu Manchu and Alton Ellis’ If I Could Rule this World appear on your list. Love the label shots too. Great reading. Thanks.
I really like the new layout Tim. I believe that Little Clive who toasted on ‘African Bread’ is Clive Chin but can’t confirm that 100%. Nice to hear ‘Stamma’ on the intro as well.
Just in case anyone is interested the inspiration for Dennis Alcapone’s fantastically titled ‘Erotic Touch of Hot Skin’ can be found here; http://tinyurl.com/2le6db
Hi Tim, I realized today that I have the original rock steady version of Always and The Erotic Touch Of Hot Skin. Its on Olympic pre. Artist: ED. Parkins – Soul Message
Regards
Daniel
Wow! I’d really like to hear ‘Soul Message’. I remember Tim saying that he felt ‘Always’ was a version to an earlier rhythm whereas I felt it was on an original rhythm. Looks like you were right Tim!
Great to see these lists of music I have loved for 40 years. Do not agree with all of the comments but that is hardly the point. Maybe you are right and I am wrong. I have most of them and want the rest!
Hello at dancecrasher,just stumbled onto your site and its brilliant.had to sell all my ska n rocksteady records years ago,just starting collecting again.Hope my faves are gonna be in your 100 greatest rocksteady list.1.wailing wailers nice time. 2.Tommy MCcook soul for sale.3.Ewan and Jerry rocksteady train.4.The Jamaicans woman go home.5.Bob Andy I’ve got to go back home.keep up the good work i’m off to put on some tunes.
“Patsy – Love Is Divine , This only came out on a Jamaican blank originally.â€
This came out at least twice on Jamaican issue (label or not) once with “Toast to James Bond” by Baba Brooks and once with another B Side (don’t know what it is but it wasn’t memorable) which unfortunately is the one I have!
Excellent stuff. I’ve always been very much into rocksteady so this top 100 is just what I need. If you need a scan of the labelled Treating me bad (or Miss Cushie with center, or Johnnie Cool on Olive Blossom with credits), let me know! I will be glad to help out. Respect!
Sorry to disappoint you, Tim, but the scan also comes from Clarendon’s website. 🙂 still I am pleased to hear that your hectic schedule still allows you to read my stuff…
LOL nevermind, there was me thinking you had a subscription to Womans World and Cosmo.
I’m going to do a quick rundown of blogs soon and yours will definitely be there. I’ll be interested to see if I can upset as many people as the messageboards one did…
Hi Tim… have to say I think that the Drum Song ‘original’ is a bit of a red herring…. different chord changes, no trace of the horns melody (in either version) – and the bass line (though more obvious in the El Chicano) is close, but not close enough for me. Coincidental, imho, just like ‘Green Island’ and ‘Get Carter’……..
And while I’m on it – the original to Errol Dunkley’s You’re Gonna Need Me’ is by Barbara Lynn (on Jamie)…. Great project – keep up the good work, Cheers, Chris
Thank for this Chris, I’ve got to say I did think long and hard about the Viva Tirado link, any similaritiy is as you say pretty week. That said I thought the similarity with El Chicano was clear, but that came after Drum Song so who copied who? Still you much more of a musician than me so undoubtedly your right. I’ll amend the article when I get round to it.
Sad news, Michael ‘Mikey Dread’Campbell passed away
1954 – 2008
Mikey Dread At the Control, Trodding to Zion.
DREAD AT THE CONTROLS
Michael Campbell better known as Mikey Dread, is a Jamaican singer, producer, and broadcaster.
From an early age, Campbell showed a natural aptitude for engineering and electronics. After he finished college, Campbell started out as an engineer with the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC). Campbell wasn’t impressed that the JBC’s playlists mainly consisted of bland, foreign pop music at a time when some of the most potent reggae was being recorded in Jamaica. He convinced his JBC bosses to give him his own radio program called Dread At The Controls, where he played nothing but reggae. Before long, Campbell (now using the DJ name Mikey Dread) had the most popular program on the JBC. Well-known for its fun and adventurous sonic style, Dread At The Controls became a hit all over Jamaica. Inevitably, JBC’s conservative management and Campbell clashed, and he quit in protest.
By that time, Campbell had earned a solid reputation as a singer and producer and began recording his own material. Distinctive albums such as Dread At The Controls, Evolutionary Rockers, and World War III all became favorites amongst reggae fans. His collaboration with producers King Tubby and Carlton Patterson stand out as some of the best work each party has done. Campbell’s music attracted the attention of British punk rockers The Clash, who invited him over to England to produce some of their music. Although initially suspicious of the strangers, Campbell soon became the best of friends with the band, producing their famous “Bankrobber” single and performing on several songs on their 1980 album Sandinista!. Campbell also toured with The Clash across Britain, Europe, and the US, gaining many new fans along the way.
After many years working as a producer and singer, Campbell withdrew from the business and moved to Miami where he furthered his college education with courses in electronics and business. Disgusted with several unfair contracts with record companies, Campbell shrewdly waited until all of the existing contracts expired and then regained control over his entire catalogue. Since then, he has been re-releasing much of it on his own Dread At The Controls record label.
In October 2007, it was announced that Campbell was being treated for a brain tumour.
hi there,
thanks for your feedback. This is a trailer for a film I am in the process of finishing. At this i am looking for some funding to clear the amazing archive and music. I am hoping to get this film into UK (and European film festivals if I’m lucky) towards the end of 2008.
The working title is “Ska Beat”
Nice feature. I always imagined a Delroy original to ‘Smoke without fire’ before discovering this! Is there the same guitar bits on the original (Lynne Tait?)? Anywhere I can hear the whole original?
Keep up the good work.
Vinc
the ska instrumental is (confusingly) called Rocksteady riddim, released on Orange Hill a few years back with an AMAZING vocal by sizzla. I think it was produced by Alborosie actually?
Went to see this the other day. It is unmissable for any lover of reggae history but like most documentaries on the subject, does not give a clear indication of the music’s progression though its different eras, from boogie shuffle to reggae. Do see it though.
Glad that you enjoyed the film and exhibition. I devised and directed the film and I wanted to give voices to the people that moved the scene onwards. So I only worked the story themes that Coventry people talked about.
Most older sounds talked about R&B from the Louis Jordan era, Bluebeat or ska the move to reggae and dancehall. Mento and Rock Steady weren’t mentioned in the interviews. I was happy that we got some detail about sound system equipment like the mighty GEC KT88 valves, Garrad decks and quad boxes which I hope make up for the gaps.
Really sorry to hear that Tighten Up is coming to an end. I’ve had some brilliant nights at TU over the years and always enjoyed the great music and nice vibes. Big Respect to Tim, Steve and Champion.
Enjoying the site, the news pieces coming through thick and fast now.
would add From mi heart as another classic missing from this collection. looking forward to it though
cheers
reggie
This is technically produced by Don Williams of Rebel Music, but yes Stephen is credited next to the version on the promo.
Would love to know what role Stephen has played, it sounds partly band backed to my eyes (could be wrong of course). It’s certainly far removed from any of his other one drop efforts.
Got my CD and the 7″ of ” Lorna Banana ” this week.An absolutely crucial set of tunes from the guys at Pressure Sounds.Excellent liner notes.
Thanks DanceCrasher for the initial heads-up and the follow up reminder.You were right – You Need To Buy It :¬).
You`ve only gone and done it again ! ANOTHER brilliant set of scorchers.Totally agree about the Buster back catalogue,by the way.Looking forward to the next instalment already.THANKS.
this is a wonderful collection of rocksteady beats.. i m a deaf individual who is confined to the steady beats and bass of reggae. the faster these lists come the more i can fill my mp3 player with some of these songs.. currently thru napster.. any better reggae song sites i could download some of these songs?
Still arguably the best album released on Studio One since the archives were raided by Channel One/Joe Gibbs/Bunny Lee in the mid-Seventies. Only “Everything Crash” rivals it.
Mind you, I’m not personally tempted to share out a lot of my hard-earned for ONE previously unreleased track and a couple of dub mixes
Thanks for the link Tim. I think ‘Double Barrel’ was the first Reggae record I bought. I must have played it thousands of times over the years and still do. I really like the rhythm and play the version side a lot. It was really interesting to find out who played on the session. I knew about Sly and (obviously) Ansell but didn’t know about the others. Trust ace Engineer Lynford ‘Andy Capp’ Anderson to be involved too!
many fond memories of the Skatalites Band. As a teenager my brother and myself use to go to Bournemouth Club on Wednesday nights to hear
them. We journeyed from Spanish town by Bus not knowing how we were getting home at 3:00 am when the session was over. Dizzy RIP, You’re gone to join Gabriel, Don, Roland, Jackie, Tommy and the rest.There’ll be some sweet sounds coming down on the night shift.
As for me I got a whole lot of your music to last a lifetime.
Farewell Brother Man, Farewell
If anyone’s interested in #61, “Won’t you come home” by Delroy Wilson, the version that appears on Dancing Mood is apparently a later, non-rocksteady rerecording of the track. I’ve been searching in vain to find an available CD release of this track…
Thanks one more time for the joy and happy moments you gave us with those wonderful gigs with the Skatalites and then with Jamaica All Stars here in Italy.
Love and respect to another, beloved artist of our wonderful music!
Yes, what about the next?
Since you asked for suggestions in the first post, i’ll give one: “Carlton & The Shoes – Just Me”. A tune for the top 20 imho thogh 😉
Cheers Tim, I googled rar files and downloaded a free extractor thing, thanks for getting back to me mate. the sellection is killer Asher G really is the man, do you have any other recordings of his apart from the one(s) on your podcast page. Really been enjoying the Proffsser and Archie ones again.
All the best
Robert
“If anyone’s interested in #61, “Won’t you come home†by Delroy Wilson, the version that appears on Dancing Mood is apparently a later, non-rocksteady rerecording of the track. I’ve been searching in vain to find an available CD release of this track…”
The rocksteady version is on the recent Soul Jazz “Studio One Kings” – I didn’t (but should’ve) realized this was the work on TimP, that rare Rulers cut “Let My People Go” is the best thing I ever got off a message board, cheers!
Still lot of personal faves missing but 60 to go! Ken Boothe “Thinking”, Mr Foundation “See Them a Come”, Sound Dimension “Rockfort Rock”, Techniques “Traveling Man”, The Bassies “Big Mistake”, The Mellotones “Fat Girl in Red”, The Wailers “Hurting Inside”, Roy Shirley “I’m the Winner”, The Sensations “Lonely Lover”, Alton Ellis “If I Could Rule the World” and anything by Keith & Tex – so many tunes in barely a two-year time span, amazing! Eagerly awaiting the next ten
hi to all i will in the new year have my uk dub sound system list ready to go with a lot of goodies the list will include all of my recordings ie sound system recordings going back to 1983 featuring myself Mc Clapper Priest
and will also feature many dub club sessions
and uk 1980s sound sessions so i will keep everone posted bless
Hi Tim! Please, carry on with your great work! Still waiting for tunes like “So weary”, “The good you can”, “One Way Street” or “Red eye gal” – and hopefully more tunes like “The Greatest” which I’ve never heard before.
This CD will be the initial release of newly founded ROCK A SHACKA EUROPE section!
Manufactured and made available in Europe January 2009 – more releases will follow, soon.
Respect
I’m so excited to see the new post for your 100 Greatest Rocksteady tunes. I check your website all the time hoping the new one will be up. I am slowly learning more about comtemporary jamaican music but my real love is anything from the 80’s back. . . especially rocksteady. Keep up the great work.
there are several other cuts on the riddim: blak ryno, jahvincy & demarco all 3 also come with clash lyrics against mavado/aliance,there is a slack gal tune by vybz kartel as well
this is NOT off course a ‘homage to playground plays’ (i dont think it would have been so succesful in Jamaican dancehalls) but a has a double meaning: it’s about about a memory of teenage sex in school, he refers to her Red BUMBO and how she cried when he ‘took it away’.
Just got the book the other day, absolutely beautiful presentation and lots and lots of info on the rival sounds of the eighties. The best reggae bbok for years.
More great stuff. In the middle of a cold snap, -43F right now, so it’s nice to hear some soothing warm weather inspired tuneage. Keep up the good work.
iam trying to get in contact with a dj by the name of little howie. he came over to england in the 80s with the sound youthman promotions from jamacia. i have heard that he has turned a muslim. i also heard he was in south london area. he means so much to me so i would appreciate it if you can try and contact him for me and even give him my contact ,email. many thanks karina
I’m working on a novel based on Don Drummond’s life and times (told from the perspective of a contemporary inmate at the Kingston asylum who’s lived assuming he was Drummond) Thanks for this resource
Hi Gabriel. Fair point (I’ve amended the text)though your compilation was of course released on Soul Jazz.
Whilst they may well have done something like this anyway, after the England Story comp (and it’s popularity) it was a bit of a no brainer really. I should stress this is not meant as a criticism of Soul Jazz – there’s nothing wrong with the comp or the idea I’m just pointing out the connections.
On a related point did you ever check out the UK Dancehall mix i done? I believe this slightly pre-dated your one that lead to England Story (not that I’m claiming any kind of credit or anything). I may put it up on this site soon as the podomatic page hardly every works due to bandwidth restrictions.
I downloaded loads of your mixes from podomatic a couple of years ago including the uk dancehall one, really liked them all especially the rocksteady ones (my favourite reggae era) and the jammy’s and black scorpio selections.
there’s so much uk dancehall (both vocals and productions) that is so good and still largely unknown beyond the uk reggae scene, it’d be great to have more compilations dedicated to that, all that brilliant fashion/montana stuff as well as mafia & fluxy, unity, uk bubblers etc. it’s a shame that there wasn’t space in an england story to include more tracks from that era, in a way I think we maybe ended up spreading things too thinly over 25 years on that.
re: the NYC comp, it’s definitely a good move on SJ’s part, I guess I was a little miffed cos I was thinking of pitching them a similar thing! but like you say, it’s a definite no brainer after the england story one and it’s not like I can lay claim to the concept once it’s out in the open – or indeed before, given that similar mixes like yours and john eden/paul meme’s Lyric Maker (or Fashion’s Great British MCs) had explored the theme already!
p.s thanks for the comment regarding the JamaicanVocalGroupAction selection that I’m throwing down..’River Jordan’ is certainly a killer whatever a wo/mans musical preference.
thanks, no good local music for a couple weeks and ain’t able to get out to any ska/rocksteady/roots stuff(ie California ect) for a couple months. This fit the bill and I appreciate it. Paul in Fairbanks
While I am happy to see that there is a NY compilation like this, it also seems like the tunes that were selected kind of scrape the bottom of the barrel. I feel like they should have selected at least one vaugely underground Artist like Super C rather than having a bunch of Super Cat who was not, in fact, from NY. For that matter, neither was Born Jamericans (washington D.C.) or Uglyman.
Any chance of this becoming available to listen again? Anyone evry here the BBC radio documentry from around 20 years ago on ska? Love to hear that again. Thanks for sharing and producing this great blog.
Nuff respect
Prince Andrew
I’ll host this on my own webspace as soon as I can get it off podomatic. I’m looking to massively reduce the shows on podomatic so at least the ones that are there can be heard…
Nice one Tim for this again, are the others lost or are you reposting them in time,
I’d love to have copies of the Professor v Archie clash, let me know
Cheers
Robert
I can’t get them back easily but it is possible so I’ll do this over time. I’ll have a look at the Keats Wine Bar clash. I never got all three parts to work on podomatic anyway so it’ll be worth a try. It’s a case of soon come at the moment…I’ll get there when I can.
Hi Tim, Look forward to that, dealy session that Keats do, been after of the vocal to Glen Browns “tell it like it is” and Gene Rondo’s “someday” since hearing them on your podcast.
many thanks for that mate
respect
Robert
Must admire your dedication in compiling this list. Wouldn’t dream of sugesting any of my own faves as all music is personel. Look forward to the top 50.
There are no other versions of Baby I Love you as far as I know. My version of Cabbage Leaf is on the label illustrated – I’ve always liked the “Hard Rocksteady” comment on this.
Beautiful tune,The Rulers – Let my people go……………………………………..
it is posible to send me to mp3, thank you in advance,best regards jacky aka Skaville from Belgium.
Thanks for the feedback. I’ve got to admit I kind of accepted it was Laurel on the basis that it’s on the CD. I’ll ask the compiler to comment and will report back.
I asked Laurence who was involved in this release and this is what he said…
“In regard the inclusion of ‘Loch Ness Monster’ on ‘Fire’, Laurel himself
claimed he was the artist on this and a number of other self-productions
that accredited King Horror, even though the name was also used by Lord
Davey at the time. But regardless of whether it was Aitken or Davey, we felt
it’s inclusion was warranted by Laurel’s involvement as the record’s
producer.”
So it seems probabel that King Horror was a alias for more than one artist (and that Laurel at least was involved in the production). I have even heard people claiming that Lord Tanamo(!) was responsible for Loch Ness Monster…
Does any one know if Mighty Growler/Young Growler was a alias for Lord Davey?
No, Mighty Growler and Young Growler wasn’t the same person. Mighty Growlers real name was Errol Duke and was a trinidadian active under the 30s and 40s and presumably died in the 50s. Young Growler was his son, who recorded calypsos during the 60s notably on the Jump Up label.
Greetings Tim, that was fast! I’m still uploading them. I really enjoyed the selections from Tommy and Massa. Have to say a big thanks to Daddy Reds and Roots FM for the good vibes and to Ash for the tip on Pama.
aka Herbert.
Ok, got some new info on Young Growler. Apperently he was not Errol Dukes son, but instead he was a chap by the name of Evril Davey who recorded some calypsos in 60s Young Growler.
Glad you got round to another 10 great rocksteady tunes. Looking forward to the rest. Would have put “Can’t you see” by Ken Boothe much higher though but it’s all a matter of opinion. At which place will you put “Venus” by Winston Francis? 😉
I really like ‘Loney Heartaches’, that was a new one to me. Just ordered the ‘Rocksteady Rarities’ so promoting the music like this is defintely working!
this Bootleg is on the WRONG label LOL, the don drummond song is a Coxsone prodcution on the CaribOO label, NOT the CaribOU. check out the labels scans on this site. So how come those japanese got it on a Dada Toari’s Caribou label?? hmmm i bet yuo the did not license it…. i am sure Carol Dodd is alread talking to her lawyers, so better buy this quick (or wait for the eminent official Coxsone re-release
What makes you think this is a bootleg? This is a serious question as I try not to support bootlegs but obviously its often hard to tell whats legit and what isn’t.
All other Caribou singles are more in a mento/calypso style and produced by Dada Touari, and this sounds very much like the skatalites , which makes me think Coxsone so how come this is on Caribou?
see, that’s why i was thinking that some one jus put the wrong label on a bootleg. And if it is a Coxsone production, Carol Dodd would have been invloved i presume.
but then again, the CariBOO singels seem to bee more from the pre-ska era(owen gray, cleu J)so it would be odd for coxsoen to revive this labelin 1964-65 ( which sound more like the era for this chune)
And maybe it was a track that Douari licensed from coxsone to put out on his own label. or a one off ska recording he madewith the skatates.
but i am not sure, as yuo say. most of the time those Japanese deal with legal matters more properly than most Jamaican or UK re-issuers.
so please take off my copmment if you feel like it, because it seems i was too hasty in condemming this re-release.
Cheers for the response. I was thinking the same thing about the Coxsone Cariboo label which was also very early 60’s. To be honest I have no idea who produced Bellevue Special I’ve not seen any evidence that it’s Coxsone, except the claim in RKR (without a matrix) but maybe it is?
I’ll delete the comment if you wish but the discussion is good so I’ll leave it if your OK with that?
please leave the comment, you never know maybe someone with all the answers reads it.
i found this blank on popsike: BLANK[CARIBOO]/MATRIX # CR 23 – DON DRUMMOND [SKA INST]
i dont know if its the same, because the listening function expired.
as for the producer: to me it sounds very much like skatalites in studio one, more so than treasure isle or wirl; but then coxsone rented out the studio quite often.
i had the lp back in the 70s and sold it out of ignorance. so glad it came back around on cd. the lagoon label released Treasure Dub 1 & 2 and this completes the trilogy. a hard to find work has resurrected for the world to enjoy. i will. thx, Lord Chris (musical savior)
Joe White`s ! I`m So Proud ” and its instrumental version by Karl Bryan & Lyn Taitt & The Jets is also avaliable on the ” Jamaican Memories ” CD on Trojan TJACD 014 , which btw is a storming collection of the original LP plus 16 bonus tracks !
Many thanks for this lists of tunes. So nice with your comments and pics. Facts Of Life by Roy Shirley And The Uniques and Dedicated To You AKA Dedicate My Song To You by the Jamaicans are my alltime favourites on this list(81-90).
Patsy – Love Is Divine
aka Find Someone, issued in the UK on High Note as the flip to The Gaytones’ Target (HS037, ’70), but I’m sure it was issued on an earlier UK High Note with a different title.
a superb Ska-to-Rock Steady, definitely Jamaican Soul!
Great site Tim, keep on the good work!
great !! any chance to know the title of that killing rocksteady track beginning at the 22th minute of the 4th part ?? I just love it ! Sounds like “the Ethiopians” but i’m not sure…
I wish we had this kind of sound on the west coast of Canada. Is there any way that this latest tighten up session could be posted for download, cause the older sessions are such great listening material. Thanks very much.
i’ve been following this section religiously since conception,the tunes keep getting better& better,and is a constant source of inspiration,how about Earnest & freddie-‘deep down in my heart,got this on a blank Flames(anyone ever seen a labeled copy?)i hope this gets an inclusion,it deserves one!
keep up the great work
please go to myspace sir collins
and download the chapter 1 album remastered from the original reel to reels from the sir collins archive
stay blessed dancecrasher and keep up the good work
sir collins and family
The Junior Soul track ” Miss Cushie ” is now avaliable on the ROCK A SHACKA Vol. 16 CD ” Orange Street Special – Fabulous songs Of Miss Sonia E Pottinger Vol.2 ” along with a collection of other fine Rocksteady .
nice clips tim. i love the bit on the 2nd clip where i lose my proffesionalism am bend down to pick up my red stripe. quality! will let you have clips on my camera when i sort them out.plattsie
The “deal” is that transcribing patois is difficult. My personal opinion that if you transcribe everything into “closest standard English” you lose the feel of the language. So when deciding whether to transcribe “take” or “tek,” “can’t” or “cyaan,” “that” or “dat,” I went with what seemed closer to how it was originally said. So a couple of times in the interview, when Trinity said “man” in a way that sounded much more like “mon,” I transcribed it as such; elsewhere in the interview I transcribed using the standard spelling.
i dont understand the info update on Wont’you come home. To my ears the version as it appears on ‘Dancing Mood'(the LP, i dont do CD’s) is the original rock steady version, with a slight overdub on the drums. so it’s not a remake as suggested by paul.
But why include a SO1 cover instead of the original chune?
The Conquerors – Won’t You Come Home (Gayfeet)
(riddim by lyn tate & the jets, not sibbles/mittoo)
From the fairly “Latin” sound of it, “Voodoo Moon” is probably a cover of the 1942 Enric Madriguera tune also known as “Enlloro”. He was a Latin American bandleader popular from about 1932-1950, and the tune was also recorded by Percy Faith.
Dang!
Memories By The Score – The Paragons. I copped this from my parents collection way back when on a blank and had no idea who it was or the story behind it. Not dug it out for a while, but it’s double AA sider and a nice tune. Good work.
Hi Tim, Regarding the Soul Tops comments, as far as I know the group is the same as the Four Tops, or at least the lead vocalist is the same, Dionne Cameron.
Jumbo you are correct in your comments. The Conquerors version was first. I actually prefer the Studio One version, which is credited to “Delroy & Ken” on an old Studio One LP I have.
As kalcidis says ” long awaited ” . Another great crop of tunes here , Tim . Spoil us and release the whole caboodle on a multi-CD compilation ? …. we can but wish . Thanks for your hard work and eclectic taste .
Great posting — a terrific balance between your deep knowledge of the tunes as a collector/scholar and your outright enthusiasm for the music. Also, it is refreshing to see a list like this that balances the obscure rarities with more well known masterpieces.
I had no idea ‘Foo Manchu’ was British! You are right about British rock steady. I propose a debate on great British rock steady. ‘Foo Manchu’ is already taken so I suggest ‘Rudy’s Dead’ by Little Grants & Eddie on Pyramid and ‘Invaders At The Carnival’ by the Invaders on Columbia Blue Beat.
Yes, I thought you’d buried the project by now. Man I’ve waited long for this installment. “Travelling man”, yes indeed, though I’d definately put the instrumental, “Moon Shot” on my top ten of rocksteady instrumentals. Also good to see the Wail’nSoul’m starting to pop up, couldn’t be the last…Thanks!
Thanks everyone for the comments.
Trev – there is no chance of a compilation as I don’t have the rights to these tunes. I did think about a mix tape/podcast type thing though, I may get round to it one day!
Donald – other good UK rocksteady? Hmmmm that would be hard, there are some half decent tunes for sure but nothing else comes close IMO…
Martin – Trust me this won’t be buried but it still may take along time to complete! I don’t know Moon Shot I don’t think. Your comment about Wail’nSoul’m may well be accurate – wait and see 😉
Moon Shot is on the b-side of phyllis dillon & hopeton lewis”Right Track'(on the uk release). re-issued by Trojan about 5 years ago. and yes: a great Supersonics chune
Tim,
what a top ranking selection..
Ken Parker’s version of Sam Cooke’s ‘Change’ still kills me every time, (and has done since first hearing in the early 80’s)
The Jamaican title of ‘Moon shot’ from above is ‘Travelling on Bond Street’. On the JA Treasure Isle copy it is also the flip of ‘Get on the right track’ (credited to Phyllis Dillon only though).
Thanks for posting this up Mr. P.
I really enjoyed doing this show, and the next one is even better, with many more tunes on it compared to chatty chatty levels.
Hopefully going to do one with Mr. Penny Reel too, also will likely be co-hosting a seperate show with Steve in the future showcasing a wider width of our musical loves..
On face value this like any other PS release looks very exciting but if like me you have the original 1995 release and the later release Down Santic Way another PS compilation of Leonard Chin’s output from 2005 you will note tracks 6. Columbo – Augustus Pablo, 7. Special Branch – Leonard Santic All Stars and 19. I Don’t Want To Lose You – Paul Whiteman all appear on the later release.
So what do you actually gain from the increased release? 9. Hell Boat – Santic All Stars (Augustus Pablo), 18. Mexican Rocking – Santic All Stars a straight version of I Roy’s Yamaha Ride, 20. Shouldn’t Say No – Jah Woosh the DJ cut to Paul Whiteman’s I Don’t Want To Lose You also available on the Chalice Blaze LP / CD and track 21. Santic Meet King Tubby – King Tubby & The Santic All Stars the dub / version to Paul Whiteman’s I Don’t Want To Lose You.
Two tracks are deleted from the 1995 release 15. Free Jah Jah Children – Jah Woosh and 16. Blackman In Dub – Augustus Pablo & Paul Blackman, which to my listening ear is the same as track 21 from the new release Santic Meet King Tubby – King Tubby & The Santic All Stars.
You can do the maths for yourself, the only advice I would give is…….if you don’t have either of the releases mentioned then you do need to buy it.
The lead vocal on Travelling Man is actually by Johnny Johnson of the Techniques and not Pat Kelly. Watch the Rock Steady Reunion video and you’ll see him sing it. Johnny dropped out of the business although he is rumoured to be the voice behind Johnny and the Attractions. May well be true?
Dave, I’ve thought for ages that I’d really like to get a show organised where I interview your goodself, if you want to let me know yay or nay please contact on mikeymurphy@btinternet.com
Truly a sound to knock down Babylon walls
We lose the man at a time of such iniquity
When righteousness is at a premium
We need music such as his to remind us that there is a proper way to live our lives
Steve B was putting this together sleeve note wise when I visited, hence his playing of Jamaica History Lesson from Early B. Wonderful tune and worth the two lps just for imo.
Lesha, hi I’m Mike the guy who did these interviews, I thought about transcribing them, but have put that idea aside, just not enough time in my life to do it. However anyone is of course welcome to do exactly that and I’d be all the help I could.
Hi Tim, I’d be very interested in seeing them transcribed, just not in doing the work myself. It’s only that I am so busy with stuff, I’ve got shows coming up to do with Steve gain, the possibility in the offing of doing something similar with Penny Reel and I hope Dave Home, plus the shows I already do, the websites I’m designing and the blog I’ve just started regarding wider musical interests. It’s all mad, plus the 2 year old, the wifey and the lack of a job at the moment. . . (as you know, ’cause you’re doing similar)
If I can help then I can send a DVD of the shows, but I just can’t spend the time doing the transcribing. Anyone else who wants to put in the time is very free to do so thought. There is nearly 4 hours of chat, so the transcription I can’t imagine how long that would take, it would certainly be a big job. I’d be happy for you to havem hosted at D’Crasher, as you know you were my original inspiration!
Really sad news. RIP Lyn Taitt.
RS Digital and Jude presented a really nice tribute to Lyn Taitt on Supreme FM. I hope they don’t mind me putting links to the show here;
Simple Simon cut Christopher Columbus twice both times on full up! First one was for Hit Bound and then for the LP he did for Striker. If you notice, the riddim is a bit more digital than the Hit Bound edition.
Hi Tim,
Sorry to high-jack this thread but do you know if there’s any recordings of the Dancecrasher Tiny T & Professor Mark night a couple of weeks back, sounded a good night!!!
Cheers
Robert (Roliesoul)
My favorite all tho not listed is Slim Smith (out of love)
you cant beat the smooth harmony in that song. It sounds like the man
really crying. I just love this song to death as if it just came out.
Hi, sorry to comment here, but, please please please, more posts of 100 greatest rocksteady tunes!!! 🙂 thanx! cheers from brasil! this site is extremelly good! 🙂
I enjoyed the mix and the site as a whole hope to get down to another one of your nights, me and my girl enjoyed the Texas Ranger one. Check out my blog and our runnings up in brum http://www.friendlyfiremusic.com/.
Oh don’t if you’ve got it or heard it but it a witty gem. Shelly Thunder – Shock me A shock – Sleng teng. you can hear that on my special http://olbiiyah.co.uk/mixes/
Hi Robert – Thanks for asking. Yeah I’ve got a recording of the Tiny T dance. The mic didn’t come out but the rest is there, I’ll put it up for a download tomorrow.
Prince Horror – The recordings are done to an old mini disc and then recorded to the computer in real time. They are recorded directly from the desk (not by mic) which means the quality is usually very good.
the story is well known and told manuy time before, but sleng teng was released at least 1 week earlier than feb 23,’85 in the UK: new entry at number 5 in the Echoes disco 45 charts of februari 16, 1985. (see: http://www.xs4all.nl/~tapirs/1985.htm)
so whats the deal with that?
February 16, 1985
Pre-release
1. Gregory Isaacs – GP – Full House
2. Dennis Brown – Historical Places – Joe Gibbs
3. Frankie Paul – Tidal Wave – Powerhouse
4. Sugar Minott – Loving You – ET
5. Paul Blake And The Bloodfire Posse – Pink Panther – Studio Works
6. Tristan Palmer And Jennifer Lara – Love Has Come At Last – Fantastique
7. Junior Reid – Babylon Release The Chain – ET
8. Sly And Robbie – Maxi Taxi – Taxi
9. Al Campbell – One Beer Bad Boy – Rocky 1
10. Paul Blake And The Bloodfire Posse – Every Posse Get Flat – Studio Works
Disco 45
1. Barrington Levy – Here I Come – Time
2. Paula – Jazzy Baby Lady – Rock And Groove
3. Trevor Hartley – Call On Me – Sir George
4. Sugar Minott – Herb Man Hustling – Black Roots
5. Wayne Smith – Under Me Sleng Teng – Greensleeves
6. Al Campbell – Really Got To Get You – Fashion
7. Charisma – Something About You – NK
8. Maxi Priest – Should I? – Level Vibes
9. Junior Reid – Original Foreign Mind – Black Roots
10. Johnny Osbourne – In The Area – Greensleeves
Albums
1. Cocoa Tea – Wha Them A Go Do – Can’t Stop – Volcano
2. Dennis Brown – Revolution – Yvonne Special
3. Sugar Minott – Herb Man Hustling – Black Roots
4. Leroy Smart – She Just Draw A Card – Worldwide Success
5. Asher Senator And Johnny Ringo – JA To UK MC Clash – Fashion
6. Sugar Minott – Riddim – Powerhouse
7. Barrington Levy And Frankie Paul – Barrington Levy Meets Frankie Paul – Arrival
8. Roland Alphonso – Roll On – Wackies
9. Alton Ellis – Showcase – Studio One
10. Saxon Studio Live – Coughing Up Fire – Greensleeves
Compiled by Dub Vendor, 274 Lavender Hill, London SW11
Fair point it would be interesting to see if there are sound tapes of it being played before the Black Scorpio clash. It’s hard to believe that it wouldn’t have been played on a sound somewhere if the Greensleeves release was out there.
I’ve always assumed that the Jammy’s 7″ came out before the Greensleeves 12″ but maybe not??
i dont know. I do know that a lot of music was only (or first) released in the UK ( from the pama-trojan days up to Jet Star & Greensleeves decline)
because there was a huge market. so it is possible that Jammy first wanted to test the highly experimental sound of sleng teng on the UK market before release in in Jamaica.
And greensleeve was right on the case releasing material of producers like junjo, jammys and george phang.
Also i cannot beleive that if the JA 45 was releasedd before it wouldn’t turn up in the Echoes import 45 top 10..
This one is for the people that were there..I was just a teenager in Holland.
but now the deepen the mystery:
First time i heard Sleng Teng was on Mikey Dread’s radioshow ‘Rockers In The Morning'(still have it on tape)
I tried to find out the transmisson date for a reference. and this is what i read on Mikey Dreads homepage:
Later in 1983-1984 Mikey Dread was employed at VPRO Radio in the Netherlands as a host and producer of a very successful weekly reggae program called “Rockers in the Morning.”He also presented a reggae show for Radio West in Bristol and produced reggae special reports for BBC Radio 1 for a national broadcast across the UK.
In 1984 Mikey Dread hosted live events including “Miss Black UK pageant” in Birmingham.
…
In 1985 Mikey Dread produced and presented a Reggae Radio special for Australian Broadcasting Corporation 105.7 FM JJJ Radio Sydney, Australia.
So if he hasn’t mixed up any dates it has to have been 1984!!
I will go in a Holmes mode and aks the radiostation, maybe they can look up any old transmission dates and solve this riddle
very nice, thanks. hope to come check you in London one day this year. One question, what is the 3rd tune in part 1(….Hip Hip Hooray… that sounds like Lovejoys)?
Easy Marni – that tune is Penetrate by The Almighty Stones. Great record. Picked it up a few years back off DJ Stein (The System) but haven’t played it out that much. Can’t remember the label right now tho…
Just had a bit more of a listen and I’m actually only playin for the first 20 mins after which Plattsie takes over with that killer horns ting so his set’s right on there for sure. Will have a proper listen later.
Cheers,
Steve
Thanks M.B., found out I heard it on eBay before (and lost the bid). Did a little research: on the original issue (Welders 7″) they were named Mighty Artons. Only 50 copies were issued apparently. Then as The Almighty Stones on Hot Stuff. But what a bass.
as far as I know, Sleng Teng was played the very first time ina dance by Blacka Dread on 11th of January 1985 (Sir Coxsone vs Saxon). Coxsone got the Under Me Sleng Teng pre-release from Jammy (different mix as the JA 45) and they also had a dubplate on Sleng Teng by Junior Reid called Under Sir Coxsone. my friend who was an active part of the Sir Coxsone crew in those days told me that they had the dubplate a couple of months before the pre-release. anyway, this claim opens a new topic – what was the first tune on Sleng Teng? 🙂
Jumbo: I’m not sure if Mikey Dread played it in 1984. But let me know if you find out the transmission date.
@ Don cosmic,very interresting. You’ve been able to push forward the release with at least a month.
I’ve written to the national media archive here in the Netherlands, hopefully they can provide me with exact transmission dates of the Rockers In The Morning Show.
i did get a reply from the Media Archive, they have 2 undated Rockers In The Morning shows in their possession. so unfortunately i cannot find out the transmission dates. THe arent allowed to copy them for me, but i could go there and listen at a 45 euros an hour rate.. which is a bit much.
hpoefullw someone else will add with some new information.
Jumbo: I didn’t push the release date forward. Sir Coxsone played a pre-release (with an intro) and not an already released tune. I know you didn’t mean it like that, I just want to be precise. I’m sure you know that any detail matters.. 🙂
Tim P: throw a mail to doncosmic(at)peppa(dot)biz, I’ll give you a link for the whole tape.
true, but in the UK the term pre-release is usually used for a Jamaican import 45 (blank or printed)and a release a UK printed 7 or 12″.
So if he spinned a JA pressed 45 pre, it would have been pressed and thus available at least a few days before( manufacturing and transport time minimized)in Jamaica.A nd if a UK sound would have it i am sure Jamaican sounds would be able to play it as well eventhough it wasn’t available to the general public, thus not pushing the official release date further, but in the same time shedding doubt on the february soundclash sleng teng debute myth.
If on the other hand Coxsone played an UK pre-release/testpress they obtained from Greensleeves, Coxsone could well be the sole sound worldwide to play that chune on that moment(except for Jammy’s Superpower offcourse)
The version on the tape is off dub plate surely and not a vinyl issue, as well as the spoken intro it sounds like the mix is different though I could be wrong about this as its hard to tell if the sound is being manipulated by Blacka on the sound. So it’s a pre but not in the sense of a Jamaican vinyl issue.
As such this proves nothing concerning what date the UK or Jamaica issue was released but it certainly corrects when it was first played out in a dance.
hi!
Pama Bullet – BU 419 – 1970 ” Bunny Lee AllStars – Hot Lead ” is the second cut, but with piano and less strong organ, to Trojan ATTACK – ATT 8001 – 1969 ” BIG L – MUSIC BOX ”
all the best
stefan
I went to this concert in 1969 and I still have the ticket.
Would it be possible to get a PDF download of the programme as mine has got lost over the years.
This was a brilliant concert and I feel proud that I travelled with a few of my mates on the train down from the Wirral, Cheshire at the time of this feast of reggae music. Superb.
Ive listened to the rest of that tape thanks to Don Cosmic. It’s certainly very early 85 but unfortunately there is nothing on the tape to indicate a definite date (no announcements of future dances etc). That said I don’t doubt the information given by DC so 11th of January 1985 is the probable date. It’s credible to think that Jammy’s may have let a dubplate of Under my Sleng Teng go to Coxsone in the UK (but not to any Jamaican sound) knowing that would have little impact on what he done when re-lauching Jammy’s Supa Power at the dance with Black Scorpio.
I spoke to Champian from Jamdown Rockers about Sleng Teng the other day, he thinks the Greensleeves 12″ did come out first and also that it wasn’t the first tune released on the rhythm with Pumpkin Belly, for one, coming first. This again probably causes more questions than it does answers as Under My Sleng Teng is in the UK reggae charts on 16 February 1985 yet Beth Lesser puts Tenor Saw voicing Pumpkin Belly on exactly the same day!
I suppose this is a good time to post up the track listing:
1. Midnight Riders – Cork Dancehall
2. Rev. Danny Dread – Ruff Neck Business
3. Don Angelo – Bicycle Move
4. Steve Knight – Tell Them Already
5. Andy Williams – Play Them Selector
6. Errol Bellot – Weh Do She
7. Rupie Culture – Ruff & Tuff
8. Chuck Turner – Run Around Girl
9. Screwdriver – She Boom Style
10. Conroy Smith – Love Affair
11. Sammy Levi – Wrap Up
12. Cutty Gritty – Heat
13. Horace Martin – Hackle Me
14. Anthony Malvo – Can’t Stay Yah Girl
15. Super Black – Just Like Magic
16. Pad Anthony – Born Lover Man
17. Professor Nuts – No Gun
18. Admiral Tibet – Dis Girl Hot
19. Derrick Parker – Joyride
20. Carl Meeks – Tuff Scout
21. Captain Leafie – Cant Hold We Down
22. Pinchers – Young, Fresh & Green
23. Malibu – Ragga Muffin Selector
24. Desmond Scarlett – Poppy Show Lover
25. Hopeton Junior – Hard Fe Get
26. Tippa Irie – Bad Boy
27. Screwdriver – We Rule
28. King Everald – A Nuh Me Officer
29. Dignitary Stylish – Jah Send Mi Come
30. Everton Blender – Blend Them
31. O’Neil Famous – Hackle De Brain
32. Prince Jazzbo – 333
33. Super Black – Rambo We Rambo
34. John Wayne – Me No Response
35. Bimbo (Garnett Silk) – Problem Everywhere
36. Tony Rebel – Starvation
37. Flinty Ranks – Gunman Style
38. Pad Anthony – Turn Me Loose
39. Pad Anthony – Gotta Be Strong
40. Barry Back – Lose Me Work
41. Gregory Peck – Stamma Mi Stamma
42. Banana Man & Derrick Irie – Tight Clothes
43. Papa San – Respect Due
44. Michael Bitas – Champion Bubbler
45. Carl Meeks – Who A Tell The Tale
46. Anthony Selassie – Busy Body
47. Nitty Gritty – Original Banga Rang
Great music from my youth days. I sense a lot of Lynn Taitt guitar riddims in these tunes. He recently passed (January 2110) with very little comment, a true pioneer of the genre.
Stagalag seems to be almost as good as Zion Gate and Rebellion 2010. Another nice relick is the new version of Boops riddim by Jukeboxx productions. Nice cuts by Romain Virgo, Tarrus Riley and Chino.
It’s nice to see a song I wrote, a record I produced on the Sue Label with Bobby Lee back in 1966, is still being heard regardless of who the artist is. The back side of the original version had a change of mood for me when I wrote it. I was being more optimistic when My Luck Is Bound To Change was recorded. Im still waiting for the royalties from 1966….lol
Thanks very much for the comment – it’s an honour to hear from you. Unfortunately I can’t say I’m surprised about the royalties – had you ever heard the Sensations version before now?
It’s a shame the Sensations couldn’t have backed their version with “My Luck Is Bound To Change” it might have given a better context to “I Was Born A Loser”.
Thanks again for dropping by and leaving the comment.
Tim
Thanks Erik – I hadn’t heard the Boops version (I slept on a recent version of Duck rhythm too even though Busy Signal’s cut was really good). Maybe a round up of all recent re-licks would be in order.
Are there any others I should look at? Please leave comments…
Can’t recall any brand new relicks apart from those mentioned and those you’ve written about lately.
French crew Irie Ites has done a version of Su Su Pon Rasta though. This was released in March. Vocals by Naggo Morris and Trinity. The riddim is very close to the original. Same crew has also done redone Strange Things and done a very good job IMO. This was last year though.
Nas & Damian Marley have a version of Land of Promise by Dennis Brown/Love Fire by Aswad on the new album Distant Relatives. Tough version.
lovely mix my friend, if any one no about a music den listen up .if ur young den listen up and no were it a com from..SEEN!!!!!RESPEK TIGHTUN UP CREW….. comin from an old brixton soldier.. easy!!!!!!
Tim, I think that there is a problem with the first two links. The third one is from the may night but the first two are from prior shows I think. Could be just me. Thanks.
1. Dread Dub Plate – Lee Perry
2. Lama Lava Mix One – Augustus Pablo & The Upsetters
3. Groove Dubber – The Upsetters
4. Groove Rider – The Upsetters
5. Jucky Skank – The Upsetters
6. Chim Cherie – The Upsetters
7. The Rightful Organiser – Lee Perry & The Upsetters
8. Stagger – Lee Perry & The Upsetters
9. Big Neck Cut – Lee Perry & The Upsetters
10. Zeal Of The Lord – The Upsetters
11. Dub Of The Lord – The Upsetters
12. Returning Wax – The Upsetters
13. Bush Dub Corntrash – Winston Wright & The Upsetters
14. From Dub Four – Clive Hylton & The Upsetters
15. Roots Train Number Two – Junior Murvin & The Upsetters
16. Locks In The Dublight – Lee Perry & The Upsetters
17. Moonlight Version – The Upsetters
18. Dub History – Carlton Jackson & The Upsetters
19. Living Dub – Keith Rowe & The Upsetters
Apparently this is made up of mixes made for sound systems, Pressure Sounds don’t explicitly say that these are old mixes so it will be interestig to see when these were done.
‘Let Them Talk’ by Ranny Williams and George Regent was issued on the British Junior label in ’69 as by Anthony King. Do you know which, if either, is the correct credit? I am just curious to know.
have been wanting to know who sung ‘reggae a go go’ for years ! another tune from this period is Earnest Wilsons private number which allways sounds as if the tapes been run slightly too fast , great tune none the less.
Hi Donald
Thanks for spotting that, I’ve got that Junior single but never made the connection. I’d always wondered about the Anthony King credit as 1)never heard of him 2)there is more than one voice on the tune. My guess is that the Ranny Williams & George Regent credit is more likely to be correct but I don’t know how Trojan had the tune (master tape or pre?) and how they got the credits. I’ll try and find out and will report back.
Greetings Tim, Trojan included quite a few nice extra tracks on their CD reissue of ‘Tighten Up Vol 1’, a lot of which sounded like they came from tape. One of those tracks was ‘Rent Too High’ by Ranny Williams and George Regent so maybe ‘Let them Talk’ was from the same tape? In any case, it’s great to see tracks like these see the light of day!
Very good idea to have someone in the know add some perspective and common sense into what sometimes seems as hysterical as the stock exchange. Mr Barrow can hardly complain about the prices Mr Brooks fetches for him..The Clifton Gibbs ‘Brimstone & Fire* he sold 2 weeks ago went for around 400 $. I bought a copy some months back for 60$, both EX+. Ease up people. The scent of Steve can’t be worth THAT much.
I’m really glad you brought this up – I’ve just listened to both versions (on youtube – I don’t have the repress). Most interestingly even without the intro the repress is quite a bit longer than the Fugitive issue (over 20 seconds), therefore assuming the Doctor Bird issue isn’t also longer which I doubt but can’t check at the moment, then the Moodisc reissue definitely comes from the mastertape and i’d have to say it’s fairly likely that the intro is also on there too.
This is all conjecture of course but I’m really glad to have spotted that the repress is longer – I’ll have to go out and buy it now.
And I’m glad somebody else wonder about these things.. The only thing that speaks for owning the orginal press is that the Fugitive label is so much better looking than the Moodisc repress. And of course that the orginal lick of the Lecturer-riddim is on the other side. Swap my repress for the original? ;D
I have only just discovered the Dancecrasher website and am hugely impressed at the labour of love it represents. The Rocksteady countdown is a great feature which has kept your correspondents on the edge of their seats for a couple of years. I like the way you play it out gradually. It’s not until you are finished that anyone can complain about their favourites being left out. I am looking forward to seeing “Inez”(in the top ten),”Soul and Inspiration”(Hamlins), as well as “Sad Movies” all featuring.
Keep up the good work. It’s an informed and thoughtful site for those of us who love the music
Yes, I wouldn’t begrudge Steve or Bob as they’ve both paid their dues and deserve a return – exactly why people would wish to bid significantly more for these tunes is still a mystery to me though. That said I’m not sure if Bob and Steve are the only sellers on ebay that attract consistently high prices in comparrison to everyone else but this is perhaps te most extreme example.
It can be a mystery sometimes but there are certain records that I want that could be considered ‘gap fillers’ that are not neccessarily great records but I might be willing to pay a high price for that reason. Perhaps that is what happens here. All the best.
An interesting look at some recent activity on Ebay. The good news is that there are still plenty of good value records to be found on Ebay.
For example, I saw a very clean copy of Uhuru’s ‘Folk Song’ on Top Cat go for about £25 very recently. Not only is it a great record but it’s also really hard to find on the original Jamaican pressing. Someone got a bargain!
I have a caltone pre with the matrix number wirl bc 4553 does anyone know who it might be . I would appreciate any information that might be available . The other side has no matrix number as far as I can See.
“It’s hard to understand why Carlos does this all this” – what’s really hard to understand is why eBay, after repeated complaints from UK dealers, hasn’t shut this cretinous asshole down.
Bim and Bam, the Jamaican comedians do not seem to appear on this programme – were they there as a supporting act? If not, does anyone know when they did appear? They were on a Jamaican music programme at the Empire Pool Wembley in the second half of the 1970s.
Firstly I wonder if it’s that difficult to understand, eBay only benefits from this eventually if they are as they have been for some time trying to push everyone into selling and therefore buying using Buy It Now and not auction.
Secondly, it’s not just Late 60s early 70s tunes getting ‘overed by the Mexican treatment, it’s happened on a number of recent autions on Jamaican 78s that I’ve been part of, and he’s screwed up royally.
Is that a Pinchers tune at 21:45 in part 1 of the recording? I’m sure I’ve heard it before… What’s it called? Boom tune! Loving these Trash & Ready audios, thanks for putting them up
I stupidly missed an opportunity to meet with eBay “executives” in San Jose not long ago, so I emailed about this problem, referencing this (very good) article (thank you).
As there was no reply initially I emailed again and got this useless response from “Kristine.” Her email address is included if you want to email her/him/it.
Hello Mark,
My name is Kristine with eBay’s Office of the President. I received your message here at csme@ebay.com and I wanted to see if I could help out with this issue.
We have taken action against the accounts that we were able to locate that have been placing fraudulent bids. I will also request that this individual be added to our filters, which are tools that allows us to screen individuals based on past patterns and behaviors. However, as you can imagine, extremely determined individuals can sometimes circumvent these filters. We will do our best to keep this member from continually disturbing our sellers, but I can’t guarantee that they won’t return. If this does happen, please contact me right away at this address so that I can add any new information to our filters to help tighten them up.
As much as I would love to go after this individual in their own country, that isn’t always an option. I will continue to monitor the situation and pass along any concerns if this continues.
Please let me know if I can assist with anything else.
Well done by Cooke. Although he credits Don Drummond for a rhythm created after his incarceration, if not after he died. Credit for “Heavenless” belongs to trombonist Vin ‘Don Drummond Jr.’ Gordon.
i still remember when few years back i felt crazy to pay 40/50£ for Walyn Rickets – Jah Is My Light & Glen Richards as Jah Glenn – Dread In A Babylon
them can be rare but i couldn’t belive to see that price…expecially in VG conditions!
Still listen to those mix very often, I love them ! Have a question about 1 track. The last one from the part 2, I understand it’s announced as “the Renegade” from “the Zodiacs” but after a search it appears that this track is in fact some ska… Can u please, please (please !) tell me the good band and title of that sweet old reggae melody. Thx you !
It is the Zodiacs, this rocksteady cut is a Merritone production and as far as I know only came on a blank. It’s usually called Renegade but Roots Knotty Roots calls it Walk On By. It’s on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GIzlnjYqnE
I would appreciate any help I could get . I have a scmw005A AND smcw 005b
might anyone know the title . One side is with gene rondo if I am not mistaken . Thanks Again Lucien Sulloway
The a side is : THE INVADERS -AFTER A STORM (aka ‘BEYOND THE DARK CLOUDS’) I can’t help you with the B side I’m afraid. I got the information from the Pama forum – http://s7.zetaboards.com/PAMA_FORUM/topic/8126696/3/
Recently got a CD called ” Cool, Cool Rocksteady ” which features loads of the tracks listed above . All in superb quality , btw. Not very often that you get ” multiple version ” Rocksteady tracks . Recommended , imho , for the non vinylites !
Yes family, pls tell more about tune called Nothing Come Easy from Cornel Campbell. I have the same tune but on tempo riddim from Dub Chemis(JA). What is the name of the label who release this tune on other riddim.
Not the first time Pepper Pot has been re-issued, at least not here in the UK – I have a facsimile Randy’s issue of this from about 10 yrs ago (?) with a great Jackie Mittoo version – ‘Walking Trouble’ – on the B-side. Like you though, I’m puzzled at such a short pressing run, especially given the popularity of this ‘Skinhead’ genre. I wonder if Carlos will be getting himself a copy?
The idea that raggae histories all come to a sudden halt with the ragga explosion of the late 1980s and beyond is not all together accurate. The Rough Guide To Reggae by Steve Barrow and myself included a chapter on this very subject (as well as sections within the UK and US chapters). Included in the last updating of the book (2004) are such figures as Admiral Bailey,Chaka Demus, Lieutenant Stitchie, Major Worries, Courtney Melody, Cobra, Cutty Ranks,Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Tiger, General Degree, Wayne Marshall, Red Dragon, Super Cat. Vybz Kartel, Elephant Man, Ward 21 – in fact everyone of importance in the field up to the date of publication that we had space for!
Further to my last message, here’s my own pick of the ragga tunes (for today, anyway):
Murder Dem, Ninja Man, Steely & Clevie
Fade Away, Little John, Taurus
Champion, Buju Banton, Suite 56
You Nuh Kotch, Terror Fabulous, Mad House
Ragamuffin Selector, Chicken Chest, Oneness
Dangerous, Conroy Smith, Redman
Tour, Capleton, African Star
Miss Ivy Last Son, Bounty Killer, Uncle T
Screechie Across the Border, Courtney Melody, Stereo One
Trouble Again, King Kong, Jammy’s
Zim Bam Zim, Sanchez, Vena
Run Down The World, Nitty Gritty, Jammy’s
Boops, Super Cat, Techniques
Poco Man Jam, Gregory Peck,Steely & Clevie
Retreat, Cutty Ranks, Steely & Clevie
Young Gal Business, Chaka Demus,Skeng Don
Respect, Shabba Ranks,Shang Muzik
Natty Dread, Lieutenant Stitchie,Stereo One
When,Tiger,Steelie & Clevie
Nuh Tek It Up Back, Cobra, Sinbad Productions
Bandlero, Pinchers, Jammy’s
Think Alcapone’s cut to How did you know Rub up a daughter is on Mr. Gray’s original riddim as you can hear Mr. Gray sing in the background. The High School JA-pre-release’ matrix bears the intials GR…
I tried to see the full article/chart, but without any luck. After clicking “check the full article here” above I found myself on a site devoted to various forms of dance music but with nothing (I could find) on Ragga. I’d still like to see it, so would appreciate any advice as to the next move after getting on to the site…or has the article been removed?
Thanks for the comments, your compeltely right about you and Steve’s Rough Guide of course, unfortunately most other publications haven’t been so inclusive.
Did you saw what should be released by Dub Store in December 2010? Merritone! I wonder wahts that will be – I hope for “So Weary” by The Minstrels to be reissued.
hi!
just had a listen to the “Max Romeo – A Dream” – PMLP 11 and noticed that the tune “The Horn” is a different cut to UN532A “Max Romeo – Mini Skirt Vision”
greetings
stefan
Does anyone know if these five tunes have ever appeared on .45 before? I’m only aware of the two by Anthony Red Rose & King Kong appearing on their “Two Big Bull In A One Pen” album, and the other three on “King Tubby Presents Soundclash Dub Plate Style”.
“Reincarnated souls” hasnt been released since ” Blackheart man”, do you have any idea if that version is re-masterized, I’m not familiar with this Label. Hopefully the quality will be better than original!
A lot of the digifans will be pleased by this set of releases, if not alone for both Dave Bailey tunes which sell for GBP 50 the least on eBay. Nice one Dubstore!
reccomendations for your top twenty include love me forever carlton and his shoes. my girl techniques, bob andy my time . let him try alton ellis .same song paragons . pretty looks heptones .tonight keith and tex .mark my word marcia griffiths .you have caught me melodians .gypsy woman uniques . real cool tommy mc cook . queen majesty techniques .swing and dine melodians .frozen soul soul vendors .once upon a time delroy wilson .hold me baby basil daley .court dismiss derrick morgan .walk the streets derrick harriott .soul food soul dimension or im and david . the last one i will leave to you . kennykool .
Thanks for the audio Tim! I was lucky to be in town that weekend and passed through, the vibes were nice! Carl Meeks did a nice show and Deadly Dragon played a nice set, Champion killed it with a few nice tunes on the mic. Trueschool vibes as I would say!
nice film, worth it just to listen to the congos music which is a different cut to the Image of Africa album audio which was supposed to be the soundtrack, the audio in the film is just like another Heart of the Congos LP,same standards, AMAZING!! why didn’t they release this version as the LP i will never know. Congos are legendary……
1. Troy Lobban – Let Loose (Skyline 7″)
2. Mac Warner – Do Officer (Hi-Jack 7″)
3. Ashanti Waugh – Feelings (Fantastique 7″)
4. Patrick Andy – Self Control (dubplate)
5. Johnny Clarke – Be a Better Nation (Mixing Lab LP)
6. Boom Box – Gunshot (Tesfa 7″)
7. Ossie D & Stevie G – Just Be Nice (Tiro 7″)
8. Dogwood – Them Can’t Blow Breath (Rising Star 7″)
9. Aisha – War on Crack (Strickly Roots 7″)
10. Donovan – Own Soldier (Mango LP)
11. Frankie Jones – Mr. Bad Boy (Trojan LP)
12. George Henry – Jamaica Nice (Ho-Ma-Ka 12″)
13. Quench Aid – I Wish I Had a Mom (Super Blast 7″)
14. Horace Andy – Days Ain’t Brite (Atomic Bum 7″)
15. Patrick Andy – Can’t Take the Vibes (Thunderbolt LP)
16. Milton Curtis – No Evil (Spanna 7″)
17. Rod Taylor – Don’t Play With Me (Plexi LP)
18. Krystal – You Mean the World To Me (Super Power LP)
19. Conroy Smith – Ram Dance Master (Top Ranking 12″)
20. Shortie Ranks – Dance Inna Skateland (Kangol 12″)
21. Dutchman – Bally (Romantic 7″)
22. Frederick Lewis – Natty Dancehall (Jack Rabbit 7″)
23. Mackie – Thing For Love (Crat 12″)
24. Johnny Lee – There You Go (Fat Bwoy 7″)
25. Vichous Irie – Late Night Attack (10 Roosevelt Ave. 7″)
26. Yoruba – Jollification (Stage 7″)
27. Montgomery – Sensimillia (Life Time 12″)
28. Sammy Dread – Addicted To My Love (Vibrations 12″)
29. Richie Roots – Hi Hello (Bee Cat 12″)
30. C. Lestin – Mob Him Kill Him (Humble Lion 12″)
31. Sugar Ray – Jamaica Nice (10 Roosevelt Ave. 7″)
32. Super Majah – Lazy Man (Fat Man 7″)
33. Hard Rock – Them a Hustler (Hard Rock 7″)
34. Anthony Brown – Black & White History (Reggae’s Master Blaster 12″)
35. Jimmy Riley – Come Back Baby (Live & Love LP)
36. Nuthead – Bumbing Ball (Wild Apache 7″)
37. Wayne Smith – Strange How the World Is Going (dubplate)
38. Stanford Shirley – The System (Ujama 7″)
39. Flourgon – Come Mek We Go Dweet (Kickers 12″)
40. Robocop – Slave Driver (EVA 7″)
41. Bionic – Youths in the Ghetto (Don Juan 7″)
42. Michael Prophet – Liberty (Jam Rock LP)
43. Frankie Paul – I Want Her (Abraham 12″)
44. Clarence Parks – Militant Youth (Papa Roots 12″)
45. Mikey Carroll – Militant (Creative Sounds LP)
46. Flick Wilson – Two Youths Have a Quarrell (Kulumi 7″)
There are only 4 or 5 genuine wailers/Marley dubplates. The rest of them are all frauds .There is a high chance this one is as well.
Most of that stuff is either unreleased/unfinished studio material that was somehow leaked or ended up in the public domain. Or done by the offspring of mr Marley / by Albert Griffiths from the Gladiators who is said to be a very good Bob Marley impersonator.
Hello. I just wanted to mention here that I have a list of 350 of the best reggae/rocksteady/ska songs that I have trimmed down from my collection of about 3,600 songs. If you’d like to see it I’d be willing to share. I need some help identifying the artist on two or three of the songs. Thanks for this list, and I hope you decide to correspond with me.
Thanks for the heads up on Love and Livity. his is one of them I’ve had on tape for years but couldn’t justify (to the Mrs) paying £30 plus for. Order now placed with Dub Vendor 🙂
Thanks for putting these up, I was really looking forward to it. I think though that there is a problem with the files, because when you are directed to megaupload it says the files are unavailable. Just thought I would let you know. Cheers.
Thanks Laurie. It seems that Megaupload is a bit hit and miss at the moment, if the lind doesnt work return to this page and try again. I got all the links working OK after a couple of attempts.
There was a very entertaining Keith Lawrence interview with Blacker Dread on Colourful Radio recently where ‘Sleng Teng’ was discussed. Tim P asked Blacker who played it first…..
You can listen to it here; http://www.colourfulradio.com/presenter/keithlawrence/
..show number 75 from 24/11/2010
….Show number 74 is really entertaining too. Blacker Dread talks about joining Coxsone Sound and plays a great Bunny Wailer special. A really great show.
fantasic interview, just came across this interview from clicking a few links on anther site, great job love the samples, great history, welton was never one of my fav djs, i was a big echo fan, fav tape back in the day was echo, brigg, nancy and the singers, which i still play, but i really enjoy the history, and never knew how much work he put in, it kind of links up with the small interview lone ranger did in the studio one dvd, when he talks about the he and some dj,s from east mash up a dance and he got dj for the year, was it ranger welton ringo and echo
sadly this great mix is censored for german users. But you can outsmart Youtube: Insert the Youtube URL into any proxy service like hidemyass.com and enjoy this video in your country 🙂
god so many reggae artists left us this year. Yabby You, Sugar Minott, Sonia Pottinger, Gregory Isaacs and Glen Adams. Am i forgetting anybody?
respect to all of them
Tim,
There’s also a false start version of ‘Can’t you see’ in a very similar vein to “royal cord” (FND 8003A). Starting “if you want to know about version you’ve got to stop at this station, right about now I give to you man called Ken boothe…..dig it”, the song runs for a minute and then pauses “don’t get me wrong, i only stopped the song to tell you this….it’s a hit, just can’t miss” then restarts.
Almost certainly done at the same time as Royal Cord and a very cheap way to re-use the Links material i suppose. I’d rather have the unadulterated version…..
God Bless Glen Adams (RIP)
Another great foundation artist left us. A big man zeen his career! Nuff chunes!!
Remember & play: Echo, Funky Skank, Looking Dread (all ClockTower) and more…
I’m glad I met him once(show with The Slackers??)
Cyaan’t be forgotten
Salute Glen !
did you know the first ever rocksteady tune was byan english group in 1964 check it out on youtube its called blue blue blue beat by the tornados scary ay .
A rocksteady record very recently sold on ebay for $620.00 with the matrix wirl ry 4105 and wirl ry 4106 but the seller could not provide a name title or label, can anyone help on this?
Double great news !
One for the crucial music and one for the people still supporting vinyl in these times.
Thanks tim for the tip and respect to the Dug Out crew.
Hello, hope i’m not boring asking for another of those great tunes, but what is the one at 25:40 on the part. 2 ? looks like Toots & the Maytals but can’t find something related on the web… Thanks a lot !!
greeting,i am danny coxson the singer,also producer and song writer of the songs you are playing,president botha and hustling…please contact me………bless..
The great Dennis Alcapone, next to legendary Ken Boothe and Mr Dave Barker at Reggae Brittania at Barbican. Documented by UK Pogus Caesar.! What a line up!
thank you for that wonderful ranking. Bus dem shut 20 th position, I can’t wait for the first ones. But i think you should reconsider alva reggie lewis revelation and consider zoot simms see them a come. anyway appreciate the work.
Great stuff, for the most part at least! A few that deserve their place alongside these, in my opinion at least, include the following (all compilations/one riddim albums unless otherwise stated):
Dance-Hall Fever! Volume One, Y&D
Die Hard Pt. 1: Cutty Tanks & Tony Rebel, Penthouse
Digital B Presents Kette Drum, Digital B
Electrocutioner Phase 1, Jammy’s
Ini Kamoze, Island
Live & Love: Frankie Paul, Jammy’s
Further East Volume 1, Jammy’s
Mambo Taxi, Taxi
Mercyles Bad Boy: Cobra, Sinbad Production
Miss Ivy Last Son, Champion
Momay Man Skank: Half Pint, Jammy’s
Musical Confontation: Nitty Gritty & King King, Jammy’s
Muslim, Xterminator
Penthouse Cultural Center, Penthouse
Propecy: Capleton, African Star
Riding West, Jah Life
Rough & Rugged: Shabba Ranks Vs Chaka Demus, Jammy’s
Sara: Frankie Paul, Jammy’s
Sin-Bada Then Them, Sinbad Production
Top Temn Sound Clash, Uncle T
Turbo Charged: Nitty Gritty, Jammy’s
Excellent, Excellent interview of my favourite Reggae artist. For years, many of my friends and other associates were giving plaudits to so many reggae artists and seldom if at all, the name Cornel Campbell barely got a look in. I have seen my favourite artist on a few occassions and each time he gives a polished, refined and sublime performance. His falsetto voice is music to a joy to the ears and he has been recording for 6 decades!!! What a feat. I have at least 15 Cornel LPs and over 75 singles 7″ singles from the great man.
We view the same outlook on life and hearing that we share the same astrological sign (Saggitarius), is very compelling.
My favourite Cornel song is “My Confession”, with “Make Hay”, “Pity The Children”/Power Pressure” (same rythym!!), “Stars”, “Blessed are They”, “I Am The General” all the “Gorgon” songs,”Girl of my dreams”, “Queen of the Minstrel” and “You are so Real”, hot on its heels.
Will Cornel ever get the worldwide recognition away from die-hard fans? Somehow I doubt it. One thing is crystal clear, The man is Master of his craft, and I will endeavour to keep the Cornel Campbell bandwagon rolling. Just like his 1973 smash; “Let The Music Keep On Playing”, Cornel is and will ALWAYS be one of The greatest singers Jamaica has ever produced.
Been following the site for a while, really great stuff. Next time I find myself on your side of the pond I will be sure to check out your night ! Many days rocksteady is my favorite genre of Jamaican music and this site has been a very important resource for me.
There is also a double CD set coming out, Columbia/Legacy is putting out , it’s a re-release of his first 2 albums, Legalize It & Equal Rights, that includes demos and dub plate mixes. It comes out on June 21st if I am correct…
Since Ken Khouri was born in Jamaica, doesn’t that make him a Jamaican businessman of Lebanese heritage?
It will be a crime when material such as “So Weary” is reissued and the writers, Lennox Robinson and Mikey or the late Geoffrey Chung, are not paid a publishing advance, or anything.
Thanks for the input Brian, sorry if the comment about nationalities was a little misleading.
I’m afraid I’ve removed the download link – unless you can confirm that the rights holders have authorised the downloads in which case I’ll happily reinstate it. I’ve consistently argued against unauthorised downloads and whilst I appreciate the ground may be shifting under me on this point but I feel that they harm the reggae music business and I don’t want to be associated with them.
I agree with your comment about the publishing – as long as those involved do the minimum they are required to as far as the law requires then I guess thats all we can really hope for.
The Kentone 7″ are great – Sharks is my favorite of those 5. Do you know more about the Merritone singles – will there be a reissue of The Minstrels “So weary”?
It should be noted that Rock A Shacka have previously released two CD’s of Studio 1 material which they later withdrew from market. Those titles, Rock A Shacka 6 and 7, were acknowledged to not have been properly licensed.
Now they appear to have altered the title of their latest 45, Freedom Sound for “Freedom Sounds” and the credit, Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites for “Tommy McCook”, likely in order to avoid paying the song’s publisher, trombonist Calvin Cameron’s Cameron Music.
So I don’t know that we need more releases like Freedom Sound, but a return to high quality, properly done Clement Dodd reissues is certainly overdue.
Sad to read about the fussing and fighting. I just love Studio One music and would like to see more releases. I have a few releases from Rock A Shacka. Like them as much as the excellent Pirate’s(!) Choice. Didn’t know that vol 6 and 7 were suspicious. Dubstore is a fine label too. I hope Dodds and the japanese companies find some solution to this.
I saw this video on you-tube and at 3:21,I would like to know if anyone knows the label, the song and the artist. Cant hunt it down anywhere. here is the link.
Soul Bros. – One Stop
Sound Dimension – Love Land
Sound DImension – Jamaica Bag
Tommy McCook – Caltone Special
Tommy McCook – Sweet Lorna
Ansil Collins Meets The Observer – In Bound Train
Desmond Dekker – Foo Man Chu
Noel & The Fire Bells – Reggae Rub
Karl Bryan – Red Ash
Roland Alphonso – Charade
Bumps Jackson – Funky In Jamaica
Tommy & The Upsetters – Lock Jaw
Jackie Mittoo – Melody Maker
Otis Gayle – I’ll Be Around
Blooblo – Loose Baby Love
Hopeton Lewis – Sounds & Pressure
Freedom Singers – Give Peace A Chance
Nairobi Sisters – Promised Land
Derrick & The Chariot Riders – Float On
That’s really a great record, hadn’t heard it before.
Since the Jamaican “writers” have already ripped off whoever wrote “Ferry Cross the Mersey”, isn’t it kind of a moot point? Who is stealing from who, exactly?
Re the Paragons tune and label… Supertone was a very large sound out of May Pen, Clarendon. I wonder if there was any affiliation with these Paragons releases? Perhaps he helped finance the recordings, etc.
That’s a good point that Al makes. Not that 2 wrongs make a right of course, but Jamaican music is full of instances like this. I’ll be interested to see other points of view on this matter.
It’s difficult to tell from an MP3 but to me this sounds like it was mastered from a clean copy of the vinyl, not from master tape. If it appeared on a Coxsone LP the tape should be around, so I’m not so sure about your comment on the quality? Yes the label looks nice but that is the easy part. Is Coxsone Jr a full or half-brother to the other siblings? If he was Downbeat’s “jacket” as they say in Jamaica, that might explain some of the animosity. At any rate I’m on Junior’s side as he seems like the one most interested in actually getting the music out there, the rest of the Dodd family hasn’t done much since Coxsone Snr’s death.
I have been reading about the “Bootlegging” of Studio One music with great interest. The Artists/Singers compensations or lack of are not even mentioned. Carol Dodd, who is now managing “Studio One’s” massive catalogues and re-issues have never paid the Artists for their work. She is a thief who steals our music, re-issues them, claims publishing rights unlawfully…she is now calling others “Bootleggers?.”
Regarding Tommy of Rockashaka, he needs to cultivate some professional integrity and stop stealing our music and start paying us for our work that he releases.
He just released “Skatalites Freedom Sound” backed by my tune, “Everybody Loves a Lover” (Norma Fraser)..I have not been paid for that Tune and I want to be paid.
Tommy of Rockashaka Label let me hear from you real soon or I will take legal action against you.
Many thanks for the comment Norma, it’s great to hear from you.
If you don’t mind me asking what was your arrangement back in the 60’s with Studio One? We’re you paid a flat fee per tune or did you have a contract that promised royalties?
Anyone know the name of the last track in this mix and who does it? Thanks in advance and thanks for bringing this mix to our attention Dancecrasher crew.
Prince Buster must have a very hefty catalogue of recordings that many of us would lap up if they were to be released. I gather there is a reluctance on his part to licence release for financial reasons but surely he must realise that in a few years they come out of copyright so he makes no money at all if others have access to the catalogue. Is there any news of progress?
There is a relatively paltry amount of Prince Buster material on CD at present. Which are the must haves?
Roy Wilson – if you read this please contact me at dancecrasher.co.ukATgooglemail.com
Bernard – exactly, there is a decent CD’s worth of Busters earliest productions that goes into the public domain next year. And year by year it will only get better. I fear if he doesn’t act very very soon there will be little left to licence – still he is supposed to be ill – maybe he can’t do it at the moment even if he’d want to.
While I’d hope that these are “fully licenced and legitimate”, Phil Enthucol concedes that they’re sourced from vinyl.
So, what’s best of knowledge?
I have to wonder when label credits producer J. Johnson and Sir JJ was named Carl!
Hello,
on the recordsleeves on the Dubstore-homepage you can see the program of twenty Merritone-singles.
Anybody with secure information if there will be another twenty?
betterdub
Well the Batman release is a bit confusing as I thought it was a Randy’s tune. Been out of a 10 inch back in the mid 90’s on a Randy’s label. I first hear Bob Brooks play this tune at a selecter’s clash almost 19 years ago and it flattened the dance big time before Asher G ripped it off the turn table for some reason.
I was led to believe there were only three copies in existence or that might be some myth to add mystery to the tune.
There is definetly more than 3 copies and it’s 100% certain (confirmed by Keith Scott and Sam Mitchell plus I’ve seen the original label) that it’s a Merritone tune.
From what I know there was no direct connection between the sound system and the label. The label took the name from the sound because it sounded good and it was probably a mutually beneficial arrangement. Val Blake started the sound, which was then taken over by his sons. Ken Khouri who owned Federal started the label and was the money man production wise the real work was done by Keith Scott and Sam Mitchell.
I wrote an article about Merritone for Big Shot #6 and I think I found some loose connection between the sound and the label, but embarassingly, I neither remember nor do I have a magazine with me at the moment. Will have to check!
According to Paul Khouri, the name was rented from the Blake family.
BTW, On test pressings, How Soon is paired with an add’l take titled part 2, Born to Rule is paired with Sai Pan and We Were Meant To Be has acapella version on flip.
Big Shot 6 Merritone piece appears well done, although still awaiting translation of last 2 pages by a Dutch friend! Would you have it in English?
Hey Tim, thought I’d let your blog viewers know that there is an interview on Bigmikeydread Reggae Radio with Phil all about this release.
Hey and Roy if you are reading this again, PLEASE CONTACT TIM, We are all big Higgs and Wilson fans!
Many thanks Tim, have been waiting in anticipation for this and sounds don’t disappoint. Listening to part 1 and those studio 1 instrumentals are great + the flute version to Door Peeper, top class
I am a fan of this period, unlike yourself, and am fortunate to have most of the records, but it is the sort of organized compilation that the music needs. Not the same old tracks over and over. By the way, if I ever meet you, I’ll slip you some money for the website. Am just relucant to use my credit card for such a purpose. Cheers
superb that you had to forsight to record this tim. still cant get enough of it. does anyone know what the tune is at 39.05 on part 2 (where were you…..). i think i should know…but i dont. anyone???
Turn it on its head if you were newly discovering reggae, that disc might be enough to get you to buy the box and broaden your horizons via the other four discs, not all purchasers are seasoned collectors like most if not all on DC
Trojan combines some obscurities with the well-trod path in an attempt to get both collectors and newbies to buy the product. I’m definitely going to pass.
Lord Koos – Trojan have done this many many times but this compilation is hardly like that and does dig alot deeper. If you don’t buy that’s up to you but it may be your loss.
MUZIK KINDA SWEET BY POGUS CAESAR 1st – 30th October 2011
The British Music Experience at O2 presented by the Co-operative, in association with OOM Gallery will be showcasing an exclusive exhibition of 38 rare photographs celebrating legendary black musicians working in the UK.
Using a simple camera photographer Pogus Caesar followed the musicians and singers around the famous venues producing a collection that celebrates a style of black music that brings together the UK, the US and the Caribbean.
From Stevie Wonder in 1989, Grace Jones in 2009 and Big Youth in 2011, this unique exhibition documents how black music, in its Reggae, Soul, Jazz and R&B tributaries of sound, has changed and renewed itself over the decades.
Journeying from Jimmy Cliff to Jay-Z via Mica Paris and Mary Wilson of The Supremes to David Bowie’s bass player Gail Ann Dorsey, these images conjure up an alphabet of the music of the Black Atlantic.
The photographs selected from OOM Gallery Archive are also as much about the clubs and venues, as it is about the singers, producers and musicians. The Wailers at The Tower Ballroom, Sly Dunbar at The Hummingbird Club, Courtney Pine at Ronnie Scott’s, Cameo at the Odeon Cinema, Ben E. King at the Hippodrome and Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B at BBC Pebble Mill, many venues now lost to regeneration or renewal, and only recalled through memory and imagery.
Afraid my allocation (Over half of the entire press) of the Rulers ‘Let My People Go’ sold out within a day of arriving, Kingstonians ‘Put Down Your Fire’ is still available as its a less limited press. More JJs thriller due in due course!
Brian, The Kingstonians ‘Put Down Your Fire’ is properly licensed, but I can not vouch for the Rulers 45 which surfaced from an undisclosed (to me at least) source in Central Europe
The Soul Jazz shop in London used to stock it there must be others but I don’t know. Other than that you can buy online from http://www.piccadillyrecords.com http://www.juno.co.uk/
and probably alot more. It’s not cheap I’m afraid.
You are spot on about this Tim. I’ve known this was coming for some time. The obnoxious Cl**f Ri****d has pushed this through for his own ends and his music establishment pals.
I agree – why would you want to play dubplates made for another sound? Interesting stuff for hardcore reggae fans because of their historical importance – and I’m happy they’re released (in pristine quality to beat) – but should have been put out as a collection on CD/LP.
A bit disappointed with the selection too actually. Pretty boring set of riddims with standard boasting lyrics. Hope they will continue to put out some of the real killer Jammy dubs, but sorry not going to be buying any of these.
I have the Heptones – “I am your man” on a yellow/black Coxsone as “Give Me the Right”. Can anyone tell me if all pressings of this tune sound so horrible as the 2 I´ve had? Both looked quite good but the sound was awful!
I think the I Am Your Man title came n the LP’s Freedom Time and Sounds Of Young Jamaica (the latter is a compilation). Where as it’s always called Give Me The Right on seven inch. The US Studio One press with the yellow red label is a clean press and I think the black/white Coxsone one is too. I’m not sue about the yellow/black though (i guess that’s the first press?).
Hmm may have to look for the black/white press then.
I also figured that the yellow/black was the first press but early 70s Studio is a bit of a hit & miss for me.
Thanks for your quick answer Tim!
Hi Tim
You probably know but FYI ‘Summer Place’ is on the Sparkers ‘Dig It Up’ rhythm, 4th cut (AFAIK) after ‘Dig It Up’, ‘Rent Too High’ and ‘Code It’. Probably makes more sense adding this to the text than publishing the comment
Nice re issue. I remember first hearing Boris Gardners version of Groovy Kind of Love at a selecters clash in London about 20 years ago and it got a huge forward. Everytime I’ve seen that record for sale it goes for between $200 and $300 US. My only wish with the reissue is they should have kept the soul tune on the B side of Groovy kind of love as it’s well nice. Rocka Shacka do it again, nice work.
I don’t know where moon dust comes out of, but there was a third wave ska label out of new york in the nineties called moonska records. I believe it was run or funded by some of the Toasters. So I wonder if this is related, as the moonska label put out a fair bit of modern skinhead stuff at the time.
Cheers and thanks for all the downloads from tighten up/trash and ready. Here in Canada we are seriously lacking.
THANKS for posting about the new Laurel stuff! Moon Ska Records was Bucket of The Toasters label. No relation at all except that one of my first releases of traditional Ska was the Laurel Aitken release on the label. and now I get to release something special with one of my heroes!
Wow Swing and Dine #18 a little low for me, but Rocksteady has never been given its due as a genre. The first music I know of to really emphasize the bassline. Add Lynn Taitt’s guitar = magical sounds that will never die.
Tim, that’s a very accurate description of ‘Garvey’s Ghost’. When this album was first released (’76 I think) it was much maligned, probably for two reasons. Firstly, it was mixed in the UK and secondly, it was mixed by white engineers at Island. If I’m honest I avoided it for many years for those reasons. I did pick up the Jamaican pressing sometime later but after one or two plays, it just sat unplayed and forgotten. It was only much later when I bought ‘Marcus Garvey’ on CD, that also included ‘Garveys Ghost’, that I listened to it again.
Finally, some 30 years later I really enjoyed listening to it. It’s true that the mixing is quite laid back but in a way that’s the album’s strength. The engineers really allow the quality of the rhythms to shine through and there are no intrusive distractions. You can just concentrate and enjoy the rhythms showcased by the sensitive mixing.
As an aside, Lloyd Coxsone was involved as an ‘adviser’ on the mixing sessions so I imagine his input would have been positive.
My advice would be that if, like me, you’ve avoided this album, pleaee give it another chance. It’ll get you in the end..it’s only a matter of time. Eventually the penny will drop!
Bottom line is that they cost about the same as they would as part of the limited edition singles series, but you get 7 at once intsead of wairing 7 months and you dont get to pay postage at £2 a 45 (In the UK at least) and as abonus get the box etc all thrown into the deal, how bad can it be and all on original, if you could find them all for sale mint ever it would be a mirace and even the sevn on decent copies wiould be over 20 times the price of the box set these days IMHO!
.. and Little Things is just re-issue on a top quality UK pressing (One of four 45s worth of Phil Pratt produced Caltone rocksteady just issued) complete with previously unissued instrumental next cut on the flip!
really would have loved to have the 7″ label designs illustrated as well. this actually really makes me reconsider if i am going to buy it or not…
Maybe they´re saving it for a future project? But then would there be enough label desings to make a whole book?
Sam -no there are no interviews but printers etc do get a mention. I reckon this is fair enough as it’s supposed to be a coffee table book, a bit of eye candy, not a book of interviews.
Timekeeper – I doubt they are saving it for another project but now that you mention it – a coffee table book of reggae 7″ label illustrations would be very nice!!
Hi Art. Personally I wouldn’t have said the lyrics are that clear, to my mind they are just commenting on it rather that supporting or condemning but I’m sure others would disagree! Either way it’s a pretty rubbish tune.
My name is Ras Charles Jones. I performed with Keith is 1980 in a band called Earthworm. We performed at My Fathers Place, Tramps, Tier 3, Eighties. I now do radio at Binghamton University-WHRW. I can re reached at 607 7295526 for further info on Keith. Ras Charles Jones
The violence in Jamaica is out of control. It was no random killing, from what I hear people had been urging Riley to leave the country for some time. If you get too successful in Jamaica and you don’t have powerful friends (or if you anger the wrong people, don’t grease some palms etc) it’s easy to dead.
Regarding the Norma Fraser tune “Heartaches”, the pairing on the original JA Studio One label was with the flip side being the Righteous Flames “You Don’t Know”. The ska “Everybody” was recorded earlier…
I’ve just bought it last friday and it’s an excellent one. I confirm that there are two UK productions here :
– “Boss” by Count Sticky & The Upsetters is in fact “The Rhythm” by the Mohawks on Gas (flip side and instrumental version of “Someday We’ll Be Together” by The Marvels)
– On “Rockfort Psychedelion”, you can hear the British band The Rudies mentionned in the lyrics…
These two titles are good anyway, even if not produced by L. Perry and played by the Upsetters…
Can anyone point me in the direction of where I could find stored copies of Black Music somewhere in the UK? Or if there is anywhere online that has scanned copies?
I have a fairly full set of BMJRs but am not looking to sell them. I live in Reading and would be happy to make them available to you. What sort of project are you working on?
I was wondering if you would be able to make these available for myself also, I am at the University of Manchester and in the process of writing my dissertation on the influence of Reggae on British society. I cannot stress how helpful these magazines would be to my work.
Please get back to me when you have the opportunity,
for an investigation I am urgently looking for the issue with Carl Gayle interviewing King Tubby, think it was February 1976. If you don’t want to leave the issue, a scan of that article would also be helpful.
I am aware this comment was posted 3 years ago, But I local to Reading and I am currently writing a dissertation very similar to the commenter here. If you receive this message, I would be forever in your debt if I could have access to your collection for just a few hours one afternoon soon?
there is a version of ‘my best girl’which includes the horns and the vocals-check out heartbeats ‘duke reids treasure chest’sounds so much fuller than the original issue!
Nice one Cliff (NOT!) So all I’ve got to do is survive to beyond 70+ and hope that someone out there has the finance and ability to bring out these classic ska, rock steady and reggae tracks that the majors tend to shun (Trojan/Island via Universal are excused from that) The ironic thing is that Cliff Richard actually LOVES reggae music. He’s said so himself many times! 60’s – 70’s anyway. I can’t picture him having much in common with Bounty Killer, Assassin, Buju Banton etc lol!
Im delighted to see you continue with this series, youre really making us wait 🙂 but come on, as nice as this song is, it doesn’t compare with whats on the other side of this single. My Conversation is a stone cold classic, evergreen and beautiful. nearly perfect in every way.
Do you honestly think Beatitude is a stronger song, or are you trying to go for the less obvious and obscure? keep up the works anyway, looking forward to the top 10 🙂
Thanks Carl, yes I do think Beatitude is better though I’d agree Conversation is the bigger tune. I’m not deliberately going for the obscure (I’m not sure if Beatitude would count as that anyway?) though in some ways less familiar tunes are more exiting than ones you’ve heard a thousand times.
I have both of these and I have to say that the sound is slightly better on the Trojan issue although the Baron’s is also pretty good. As an aside, the dub version used on the Trojan flip can also be found in its full length on a 1975-ish Jamaican issue of Ali Baba that appeared on Dutchess
Honeyboy Martin emigrated to Britain,he had a record shop in Luton and had a radio show on BBC Bedfordshire.I used to listen to it in the eighties.He also carried on his singing career,mainly making big people records.You Tube has a 70’s tune “Jamaica” that sounds alot like the GB records Trojan were putting out.
Pressure Sounds have put out a great release,it fills in an important gap in the history of the music
If BUNNY LEE produced Lyn Taitt arranged and Eric Donaldson sings that would be great Rocksteady. Beatitude and Conversation is just one of BUNNY LEE’s greats latter end of Rocksteady.
OMG!! I remember this.A great way of avoiding “Nationwide” on BBC1 on a week night.It was on BBC2 at the same time.I’d just got into drumming,listening to Style,Carlie and Sly.This was an absolute god-send for me and my brother(who was learning bass).
We talked endlessly about it at school.I found the book later on and still use the material when I teach basic Reggae styles to my drum students.
The 3 presenters are still involved in music education.Dierdre writes pieces for the”Rock SChool” exam syllabus,Geoff writes for drum magazine “Rhythm” and Henry wrote a book on slap bass,that my brother studied from.
OMG!
well, i’m not sure whether I’ve let a comment before but just want to thank to the author for the superb work. though this tracks i’ve learnt a lot about rocksteady, not to mention the pleasure to discover new tracks, artists, producers… i’m really looking forward to the top ten. big up!
I’ve been following this countdown for ages, and I’m really grateful. I have discovered so many tunes I now love and cherish (I was delighted to see The Clarendonians Im Sorry and Lonely Heartaches show up on the latest Pressure Sounds release after discovering them here). I was very happy to see ‘Bus Dem Shut’ in the top ten, cos its one of my all time favourites. I love the mixture of information, label pictures and soundclips. Its been a very informative journey.
But if its truly a list of ‘greatest’ Rocksteady tunes, I do however think that there are some massive omissions, particularly of the Studio One variety, some really obvious and immortal tunes like (off the top of my head):
Dawn Penn – No no no
Soul Vendors – Rockfort rock
Alton Ellis – Im still in love with you
The Heptones – Pretty looks isnt all
Carlton and the Shoes – Love me forever
Ken Boothe – ‘Moving away’,
The Techniques – ‘Queen Majesty’ and ‘You dont care’
Hopeton Lewis – Take it easy
Keith and Tex – Stop that Train
and as i mentioned before The Uniques – My Conversation.
I know these songs are extremely well-known, but they are all beautiful and era-defining, and the basslines and riddims have been versioned endlessly all the way through to the dancehall era. It seems a shame not to acknowledge these masterpieces.
Having said that, its been more educational to read about some of these lesser celebrated jewels. And im dying to see what the top ten will be!! please dont make us wait too long 🙂 🙂
peace
Ive just noticed that 3 of the last 4 songs i listed are in fact featured in your countdown….I should have double checked before i posted the last comment, i was writing off the top of my head. The main point i was making was that your Top 100 has been a pleasure to follow (despite what i would consider as omissions or misplacements, and a penchant for favouring the less obvious), and i have learned loads!
Thanks again
Glad to see the final countdown, there should be at least one Wailers tune in the Top 10 and a few Coxsone chunes, Hurting Inside, Rougher Yet something from Bob Andy’s Song Book would be my choice, but as you said before, it’s all a matter of personal taste. Did I mention the Call OF The Drums. Anyway, thanks for the hard work
I have been following the top 100 since I came upon the website by accident – everyone’s a scorcher, by the way. But the selection is, as stated, obviously the compilers opinion. It totally amazes me that the vast majority of the chart I’ve never heard. What were the ones like that failed to make the grade?
In 1989 when this show was broadcasted I was at my home town which is outside of the shows broadcast area i.e London mainly. Back then with no internet, hearing the show was a lost cause to me. It is with much grattitude that it has been posted up and I’ve at last been able to listen to it. Thank you. I’m just so gutted about the many other tribute shows that I’ve missed over the years.
i met a guy this week who has approximately 19,000 reggae vinyls!!!!! i went round to his place and picked up this tune (among others) after hearing it here. cheers 🙂
i can only pray that they will also do a cd compilation of this stuff.
i need “The Jerk” or “Tang tang festival song” on officially cd with good sound quality.
Nice one Tim bless to the Tighten up crew Big respect to listening massive for the support and comments
looking fwd to the next one Bless PS We had Champian working his ***** off HISTORY
Most of the music seems to have reverted to the individual producers – Pama turned into JetStar but with a few limited exceptions they were never a big reissue company like Trojan.
I’ve not been able to get hold of this.Is there anywhere I can download it from?I’ve tried the websites listed and her facebook page to no avail.
Was it only available for one day or have I misread it?
Why Is there a pic of dennis brown on the front cover and the name marcia griffiths onthe sleeve when neither appears to feature on the album? Is this some sort of tribute to coxsone’s talent for misinformation on his album covers? LOL.
Agreed, very good selection.Rodigan told a story on Sunday on Kiss about going down into a basement of “Brad’s” in New York with a torch hunting for the Prince Lincoln tune, such was its rarity.
Walk The Streets was originally recorded by Tommy Roe as You Might As Well Forget Him on US ABC (UK HMV) in 1964. He also composed the song. Enjoyed the top 100 by the way.
The Marcia Griffiths mistake is more easily understood as in the liner notes it states that the Rita Marley tune included was mis-credited to Marcia Griffiths on some of the original 7″ labels but the D Brown has me wondering. Maybe some ‘hurry come up’ layout person thought it was Johnny Osbourne.
Hi I am trying to get a contact for Jeff palmer to get permission to use images of Pama labels in my forthcoming book, any help would be appreciated with some free copies.
I’d just like to say that Trinity is one of the nicest and most professional people I’ve worked with. Not the only one, but still….
My respect – to him and Mrs Brammer – is total !
Ha ha – I agree with both of you above. For us Anglos, ‘mon’ rhymes with ‘on’, so that’s how we read it. Perhaps the best approximation would be ‘mun’, atho’ that’s not quite right either.
I was wondering if the Progressions would be in this list. I thought the other side of that record ‘Are you ready’ was the better tune but that’s just me. I also have a feeling what might be No. 1 and if right I think it’s a suitable choice but definitely not a rare tune. Look forward to the final seven. Great work and giving thanks.
My name is Errol Hobson, Derrick K. Hobson (The ‘K’ means Kenyute and not Keith as was previously mentioned) is my late brother who died the summer of ’78. I know for a fact that he did a few recordings with artiste such as Johnny Clarke and Roman Stewart. The tunes that readily came to mind: “Ride On Young Girl” by Johnny Clarke, and Roman Stewart’s “Love Jah and Live”. “Ride On Young Girl” was remixed and release on a 12″ Disco Mix. This particular track was released on his own label [THE BETSY original Stamma].
For thirty four years I’d busted sweat on trying to find out who did the tune give Thanks and Praise (version) because I only heard it once, I had it on tape and the tape snapped just where the track info was inserted. Thank you Only Roots Reggae. I can now rest easy. Roll on pay day!
Most of this tracks were re-issued before on colored Jamaican sevens. What was the reason of packing box-set with already re-issued sides? It’s a bit disappointed about this release.
P. S. Same to Lucky Seven, i have 2 copies of “Way of Life” now, one from box set and another on Japan reissue on “Flame”, wtf, only 3 years since last re-issue, damn.
It’s a great value for money package, for sure. A shame though, that the last track on CD 1 is not the 12″ mix of Roots Train, with the Dillinger toast, but rather the album mix from Police and Thieves. And hopefully a second volume will showcase some rarer tunes. That said, a very nice compilation indeed.
I think those colored vinyl issues were bootlegs Ogonkov. It wouldn’t be the first time that a bootleg has stopped a legit issue coming out but thankfully not on this occasion.
@Bernard @Everyone. We are the management company (Koffe an Kreem) for Kofi (ex Brown Sugar). We have set up the Wiki entries for both and are desperately looking for source references, articles, chart images, awards, photos, etc. for both Kofi and Brown Sugar.
But.. any information, etc. you could find and scan would be great. Contact info is on our website. Thanks in advance.
Hi. Excellent web site, keep up the great work. Just wondered if you knew that the latest two scratch links show ‘file not found’. Also I think that you may have missed the passing of the great Ossie Hibbert about 2 months ago.
Kind regards
Stephen
Greetings and I’m telling you I love the Peckings releases!! I play vinyl on Kool 97 and the listeners love the Peckings songs… I just can’t get enough!!I would love to get these to add to my collection:
PS 0001,0002,1001,1005a/b,1006,1007,1012,1013,1018,1020,1023,1024,1025-withDominic,1026,1030-KellyMakeda,1032,1033,1034,1044,1046,1049,1050,
1052,1056,1057,1066,1072,1075,1078,1079,ptig001,ptig002…. also “taller than them”… “struggling” and “smiley culture” (I have on cd)
Please advise asap how I can get these …. I have friends in England who travel to Jamaica and can bring them for me. Looking forward to hearing from you. Keep up the wonderful cultural work. Blessings, Michael
Hi Tim,
This is still not up on the Trojan website yet and I was wondering if this was worth getting as I’ve got the Arkology set and the3 box sets Steve Barrow put together in the ’80s.Be good to see a tracklist so I can make a judgement.
Cheers,
M.
Disc: 1
1. Norman – Max Romeo, The Upsetters
2. Bad Weed – Junior Murvin
3. To Be A Lover (Have Some Mercy) – George Faith
4. Know Love – The Twin Roots
5. Rainy Night In Portland – Watty Burnett
6. Disco Devil – Lee “Scratch” Perry, Full Experience
7. City Too Hot – Lee “Scratch” Perry
8. Words – Sangie Davis, Lee Perry
9. Roots Train – Junior Murvin, Dillinger
Disc: 2
1. Open The Gate – Watty Burnett
2. Neckodeemus – The Congos
3. Rasta Train – Doctor Alimantado, Raphael Green
4. Ketch Vampire – Doctor Alimentado, Devon Irons
5. History – Carlton Jackson
6. Sons Of Slaves – Junior Delgado
7. Party Time – The Heptones
8. Free Up The Prisoners – Lee “Scratch” Perry
9. Garden Of Life – Leroy Sibbles
What a great selection !
I can’t wait for the top 5 !!
(don’t rock my boat rocksteady’s version ? the girl i left behind ?)
When do you think you’ll add more tunes ?
Thanks for introducing many great rocksteady tunes.
Surely the origin of drum song’s bassline, is the Impressions version of the Beatles yesterday, the only difference being tempo and the doubling of the third note.
As far as Peckings back catalogue titles are concerned they tend not to repress (With a few exceptions such as Walk Away From Love for example) I have been trying to encourage Chris and Duke to repress certain titles, but to be honest there is so much unreleased stuff stacked up it is unlikely that older titles will repress so your best bet is eBay or similar. You might also wish to listen to the mix cloud page where I posted up the guest slot I did on Danny Hatcher’s internet radio show where I previewed 20 odd unreleased Peckings recordings, none of which have yet seen the light of day! http://www.mixcloud.com/Enthucol/phil-enthucol-unreleased-peckings-seelctions-danny-hatcher-reggae-show-dwr-14412/
Asked George Murphy about this and the reply I got back was that it isn’t the Tennors, but is in fact a solo recording by group member Maurice “Prof.” Johnson
Tim
There are two pressings of BU 406, the lalel copy is as above, but the blank couples Making Love and Greatest Scorcher, a totally different tune and in fact the fourth cut of the Another Scorcher rhythm
hi!
excellent work tim
toppa toppa topppa top rocksteady 45 ! 🙂
does anyone have more infos about The Rio Grandes – The One You Love // Kepp On Moving 1967 on STAR Label ??
same label as “got to be at the paty” comes on ??
Just one thing. Summer Place by Ranny Williams: the original to that rythmn is Rent To High by Glen Adams on Trojan and not Dig It Up by the Sparkers as stated in your book. Dig It Up was itself a version of Rent To High.
Got To Be At The Party was recorded by Milton Boothe, with two members of the Progressions, who were at WIRL on that day, and volunteered to do background vocals, the producer, Miss Barnett who was not in the studio, had sent him to do the vocals on his own, but, the Progressions thought that it needed a little help,if you listen to “Fair Deal” or “Are You Ready” you will hear the similarities.More information on The Progressions can be supplied on request.
You left Tony Russell off the list, and Rudy Mills had been a member when the Progressions were known as the Jets, recording “Fresh Out Of Love” & “Someone” on the Top Deck label. Derrick Bucknor did not make it to the “Fair Deal” session, so The Progressions were short one voice, and had to make do. Such is history.
Thanks Patrick, but this totally contradicts information directly from George Murphy (Clive Tennors). What is the source for your info and is there anymore to substantiate it?
Nerious Joseph Cool Dem Down, Empress Ayeola Dem Bow, Prince Malachi Just Keep Calm, Bunny True Lie Lie Dear God, Gappy Ranks Mountain Top & Jah Mali Love For Each Other is the Step it out riddim by the Ballistic Bros.
Peter Hunnigale – Body So Good,
Lady Lex – What A Difference A Day Makes
Richie Davies – Since We Broke Up
Robert Lee – Oh Jah Jah
Rudie Rass – Sweet Like Zion
John McLean – Loving You
The riddim is It’s You I Love by the techniques.
Sparky – Bring It Back, Tippa Irie – Wine Up Your Body, Dominic – White Veteran, Top Cat – True Confession & Bald Head Dread Dancing Time is Nimrod Riddim by the skatlites.
His wake is on Friday 16/11 at Kensal Rise Socail Club. He is being buried on Friday 23/11/12 Service at St Augustine Church Kilburn 11:00am and then Kensal Rise Cemetary
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Duke Vin a few years ago, I found him to be an amazing man, who knew all there was to know about music, and I remember sitting with him for hours when he came round to See my children’s father, who, we sadly loss 10 yrs (AKA Buffalo Bill) talking about music with his softly spoken cool voice.
I can confirm that Put Down Your Fire comes as a JA pre. Same combination as the Doctor Bird. Looking forward to the top five Tim! Top clash all the way.
Lloyd Tyrell’s track was obviously supposed to refer to “Doctor Jekyll,” but the people who made the label misspelled it as “Dr. Jekell,” and we as the consumers/scholars should “respect” whatever spelling the record decides to give a track, even though we “know” it’s wrong or misspelled. For example, you rightfully note both the misspelled and intended correct spelling of other Bullet releases, such as “Clea Hog” (supposed to be “Clean Hog”). So in this case, you should list the track as being “Dr. Jekell,” as listed on the label, and perhaps note in the description that it’s “supposed” to be Dr. Jekyll.
Similarly, the BU430A The Clan release which you cite as “Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye” is actually spelled on the label as “Na Na Hay Hay Goodbye”, which, though “wrong,” is the title they chose to use, so we should honor their spelling in our official discographies!
Many thanks for these – I completely agree that the listing should reflect the titles and credits as given on the original releases. For the most part I think they do however I’ve probably made a few mistakes myself plus the whole thing was copied and pasted from a now defunct pama discography website and on that the mistakes had been corrected. I’ve changed many but probably not caught them all yet.
Very very interesting selection of rocksteady songs. I learned a lot – many I had never heard before.
HOWEVER, someone’s gotta keep it real, and I guess that someone’s gonna have to be me.
While I love rocksteady — my favorite genre of music, from any country in any era — and I’m always a champion of the obscure and the overlooked…well, to be completely frank, this really isn’t a list of the “The 100 greatest rocksteady tunes” (or 95 greatest so far, at the time of this comment).
If you had titled it “The 100 greatest OBSCURE rocksteady tunes,” you wouldn’t get any argument from me. Or maybe “100 nice rocksteady tunes you’re probably unfamiliar with.” But the title over-reaches, because by your own admission in several entries you are intentionally excluding many well-known songs to make room for lesser-known (or in some cases completely unknown) tracks. And while I confess I liked some of your selections, do they really stand up against some of the all-time “classics”? I think most people would answer “No” — even if some of those classics are overplayed.
Sure, musical taste is completely subjective, so there’s no “right answer” for what song is better or worse than another, but seriously, how could any of the following tracks NOT have made it to your list (or any top 100 list), especially since many of the ultra-obscure releases taking their place here really do pale by comparison:
Melodians – You Have Caught Me Babe
Justin Hines and the Dominoes – Save a Bread
Prince Buster – Whine and Grine
Glen Adams and the Upsetters – X-Ray Vision
Bob Marley and the Wailers – Them Have Fi Get a Beatin
Dynamites – Dulcimena
Velma & Clancy – Let Us Be Lovers
Desmond Dekker — 007 (Shanty Town)
Dandy Livingstone – Rudy, A Message to You
Tony Tribe – Red Red Wine
Melodians – I Will Get Along Without You
Sensations – Long Time Me No See You Girl
Termites – Have Mercy Mr. Percy
Johnny Nash – Hold Me Tight
Prince Buster – Rough Rider
Melodians – Hey Girl
Delroy Wilson – Feel the Spirit
Maytones – Loving Reggae
Swingers – Simpleton
Justin Hinds and The Dominoes – Here I Stand
Seriously, listen to these masterpieces with a fresh ear, and try to compare them purely objectively to many of the obscurities you listed in their stead — and wow, there really is no comparison. I mean, I appreciate hearing many of the lesser-known tracks you included, but the songs listed above (and those are just 20 off the top of my head — I could name plenty more) are just flawless.
(And I didn’t bother to research the release dates of all of these, so apologies if some of them fall outside the rocksteady era [1966-ish to 1969-ish, presumably], or if some particular track technically might count as “late ska” or “early reggae” despite being released during the rocksteady epoch. Overall, you get my point.)
We’re all on the same side here, and love the same kind of music, and each person is entitled to his or her own personal preferences, but I just didn’t want a “newbie” to the rocksteady scene to read this “top 100” post and come away somewhat disappointed that rocksteady itself maybe isn’t all it’s rumored to be, since many of the tracks listed here are interesting perhaps but not classics that will echo in your head forever (as many of the more well-known rocksteady tracks like the ones I listed do).
I’m all for celebrating and rescuing long-forgotten obscurities — and in a few cases those obscurities really are super-great shoulda-been classics — but those cases are rare, and we shouldn’t let our enthusiasm for rarity blot out the worthy hits, many of which earned their legendary status simply by being “the best.”
Make your own Top 100 Rocksteady list, and then maybe you’d have a valid argument. This Dancecrasher list is the work of a Rocksteady scholar, and while the selections are subjective to taste, the list is culled from knowledge of nearly every known rocksteady tune, and that’s pretty impressive. Some of this top 100 would not make my own list, but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the info for each record as it gives insight as to why the author included it on this list. A lot of these tunes I would not consider to be obscure (by rocksteady standards), and the ones that are obscure blow most of the “classics” out of the water (again, subjectively). I would MUCH rather have “Bus Dem Shut” echo in my head forever than “Hold Me Tight”!
“Aperson”, what the compiler of this list doesn’t know about rock steady isn’t worth knowing.
Your post says what is wrong with a lot of music fans, they only stick with what they know and dare not take chances with anything not familiar to them. If you like Northern Soul music too then I bet you stick with the top oldies that are played at every night all over the world week in and week out.
Your own list proves that you simply do not have a clue as six of the songs that you list are early fast reggae and not even rock steady at all!
Llghten up guys, “aperson” has good point, & it is a pet peeve of mine as well. Don’t get me wrong — Tim has made a terrific list, no one is slamming him — but there are many cases of the best music rising to the top and becoming well-known hits rather than languishing in obscurity, jealously guarded by collectors. Yet if a tune is “common” it somehow seems to often disqualify it musically as being “the best”.
Much of record collecting in any genre is influenced as much (or more) by rarity as by musical quality, and certain titles and sounds become very trendy. Currently it seems to be any rocksteady in a minor key that sold poorly or was pressed in small quantities. People give short shrift to the more well known tunes, very unfairly in my opinion. Records such as the Rulers “Let My People Go” are fawned over, even though the riddim is nothing, and the vocals are sour and out of harmony — there’s a good reason JJ pressed so few copies! Then you have popular masterpieces such as the Alton & the Flames “Cry Tough”, Desmond Dekker’s “Young Generation”, The Paragons’ “The Same Song” and the like, all of which from a strictly musical standard, completely bury “Let My People Go”. I guess unfortunately, they were good enough to actually sell a lot of copies. I dunno, maybe because I’m a musician myself, I just don’t get it. In fairness, there are also plenty of great records that for one reason or another are very hard to find, because of poor promotion, lack of funding, poor business opportunites, etc. Thankfully, much of the greatest Jamaican music is not hard to come by these days.
Hello, Aperson– I’m curious….obviously you and the person who compiled the 1-100 list are more knowledgeable than I am in these matters, but I was a but surprised that none of my favorite tunes showed up on either list. For a few examples, where would you place Alton Ellis “Hey World”, Delroy Wilson “Any Heart can be Broken”, The Heptones “Ting a Ling” and Irvin Brown “Run Come” along the Rocksteady/Lovers’ Rock/Reggae continuum? I’d be interested to see what you think.
Jah bless whoever put this web site together,it’s very informative and it helpful in the promotion of reggae music in America.I run a reggae show
in northern colorodo and i am always seeking infomation on some of the classic old school artist i play.very comprehensive
The flipside of “At The Party” was also done by Milton Boothe, not Maurice Johnson, who as far as can be ascertained, never recorded without The Tennors, George “Clive Tennors” Murphy was not the producer, but recorded 4 sides for the same producer. So, to re4cap, 2 of The Progressions were the vocal backing for “At The Party” and Milton Boothe was responsible for the lead vocals on both sides.
I’m right there with you Prizefighter. Of course a list is going to be subjective. This happens to be one man’s list and he can call it what he wants. Mine would be different as would anyone else’s. What you can’t deny is the author’s love, dedication and frankly encyclopedic knowledge of the subject. It’s been a joy and I’m looking forward to the final five.
Good to see Reggae George being reissued and that Sonya Pottinger is a favourite of mine. How is the dub? I distinctly remember thinking that it was such a nice song that it had to be released as a single after I first had heard it and searched around for a possible single issue. Those who wait…
Bim & Bam were on the Second Wembley Caribbean Music Festival – in 1970.
I am the then young white man introducing Bim & Bam to some of the artistes in the changing-room right at the start of the film REGGAE before the title/credits appear. Justin Lewis (Bim’s son) is writing a book and making a documentary film about his father. I am still in regular touch with Count Prime Miller, compere of the show.
great list, no doubt, but here are a few tunes i would have put on the list….
yours until tomorrow…the minstrels
love me forever…carlton and the shoes
i’m yours forever…the soul lads
put on your best dress..monty morris
bye bye baby…zoot simms
tell it to me…stranger and patsy
i’m sure i could come up with more, but hands down, you know your shit!!!
Immense! Thank you for listing all these great, great tunes.
For what it’s worth, I’ve just thrown together this Spotify Playlist featuring as many of the tracks in your top 100 as I could find—currently at 60 out of the full list.
Maybe I missed a few… if anyone finds any tracks I’ve skipped, let me know in the comments and I’ll add them to the list.
Smashing stuff, only heard part 1 last year and nuff different versions there, part 2 is great and listening to part 3 now, what a night it must have been
re “Got To Be At that Party,” I think that’s been acknowledged to be Maurice Johnson, who was in the Tennors up until his untimely death. I actually think the flipside of that single is even more brilliant, but that’s how good that collaboration with Taitt was.
When is the part two taking PLace? You missed this show you might never get another session like this ever only Tighten up could of got this show from us out of respect to Tim P Steve & Champian.
so how much longer before posting #2 and then whats the break between that for the number #1. not quite killing me and got whole suspense thing going for you but theres a thin line my friend, lol, thin line. great work.
The ‘Aces’ re-issue, which features a first time on vinyl ’69 reggae track on the flip, more or less sold out straight away, but as its not marketed as a limited edition a few more will be pressed, should be available again in the next ten days or so, will relist on eBay as soon as it is! 😉
In spite of the Aces issue (Which is significantly different from the Limited edition replica re-issue) the Dr Bird RE continues to sell for a premium, whist the £100-ish price was I think a freak result, the Dr Bird replica repress is still a good solid £40-50, even up to the last one I sold on eBay a week or so ago, after the ‘Aces’ issue was announced and available for £4.99, two different animals!
Did Barry Biggs take this tune a the basis for “Work All Day”? Or maybe it was the other way round? They sound very alike…probably the best thing Barry biggs ever did too. Thoughts anyone?
BTW I heard a tune by Barry Biggs recently called “Homeward Bound” not a cover of the Simon & Garfunkel song, with a great version on the flip. Definitley the best BB tune I have heard.
When oh when are the final two tunes going to be named. I click on a few times week. Very interested to see what they are and wondering if they’ll be well know tunes or legendary rarities.
I have the following available: 1974 – February, March, May and July
1975 – March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December
1976 – January, February, March April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December
1977 – January and February
Hi Robert, I did an interview with Carl Gayle in 1974 and i think it wasfor Black Music and I was on the cover but not sure which one…I have a copy of the picture…do you know anything about it?..I think it was Black Music…not sure…Thanks for your help
Oh sorry Robert, I am Susan Cadogan and i wondered if you knew which magazine contains the interview that I did with Carl Gayle…I was trying to locate a copy of it and am not sure which one it was in but it was sometime in 1974 and had pull out poster of me……Thanks!
This has been an amazing journey Mr. Tim . Most enjoyable all the way , with some absolute rare corkers that I wasn’t aware of . ( Thanks for those 🙂 ) Here’s to No. 1 , whatever it is !
Thought you’d like to know this tune is available on Kingston Sounds ‘Rocksteady Hits the Town’ which is still available on CD and maybe in some places, vinyl. All the tunes are Bunny Lee’s. Thanks for the 99 records you’ve posted so far. What about a 101-200?
Robert, thanks for your answer. Seems like I got some wrong informations. But I’m sure there is an issue with Carl Gayle interviewing King Tubby, maybe you can find out. Would be a great help. Best, Helmut
ey what ever happened with hardcore ragga “the music works dancehall hits”?
I bought 2 cd’s 1988 i think and then i couldn’t find them no more. so wtf?
A wonderful labour of love Tim, finally had a chance to sit and go through your top 99 having a good read and listen. So much beautiful music and a proper education for us tunder and lightning roots collectors 🙂
I have been collecting Jamaican music since the late 1960. No disrespect, and while I understand musical taste is subjective, this “List” is hardly representative of the classic rocksteady songs produced in Jamaica.
First, if you, or anyone, compile a list of rocksteady songs and not include virtually all songs by the Melodians, the Gaylads, Heptones, Paragons, Delroy Wilson, Slim Smith, Ken Booth, Alton Ellis, Marley and the Wailers, and others, you have not even begun to scratch the surface. If you have never been to the big dance halls (Chuckomo Lawn, Champagney, Ram Jam, and others) to listen to sounds like Sir Gerorge, Prince Patrick, VJs, Tubbys, Emperor Faith, and a host of other top sounds back in the day, then you should not even attempt to compile a list, because the vast majority of the songs you cited would not make the top 500 — no disrespect.
Please take a serious listen to tracks by the Melodians (Swing & Dine, You Have Caught Me, Expo 67, You Don’t Need Me, etc. Also, Gaylads: Over the Rainbow’s End, Hard to Confess, etc.
There are simply too many tracks and artists to mention from my archive…(some John Holt classics, such as You Mean so Much, Memories by the Score, On the Beach, and many others).
If you truly want to hear some classic rocksteady, please contact me.
No disrespect.
No disrespect CarlTee but you ain’t the only one with some good tunes. This is not an ‘official’ top 100 like you would expect from the BBC. That would simply be pointless and probably impossible. Of course it will be different from your list, my list, or anyone’s list. That is the beauty of it. Why not enjoy it for what it is – a list of great tunes which has been compiled by a true lover of the music. And just because some of us have never been to Jamaica, let alone been to any of “the big dance halls” doesn’t preclude us from having an opinion on the music. I could make my own list. I choose not to. You however, given your experience in the matter, perhaps should. I will look forward to it. No disrespect.
Thanks for the response. First, I would not compile a list of songs and refer to the tracks as “the 100 or the 50 or the 10 best,” simply because there are too many classic rocksteady songs and it would be virtually impossible for me to separate one song, or ten songs for that matter, and call it the best of the lot.
Perhaps what you should have done is to call the list you published “My (as in your)top 100 Rocksteady songs” as opposed to the title you attached to it. Everyone is indeed entitled to his opinion; however, I firmly believe opinions should advance any discourse to which it is associated; if not, what’s the point? The point here is the list contains some seriously obscured tracks, many with which I am unfamiliar (and I don’t claim to know them all).
You also mentioned in your response that you could “make your own list.” You also said it’s an “official BBC list…” and that I, instead of rejecting the list, should “enjoy it.” Perhaps the BBC should re-title the list “100 most obscure rocksteady songs.” Robin, no disrespect, I get the most “enjoyment” from listening to classic rocksteady songs, which by the way are the best era in Jamaican music history (not just merely my opinion but the view of most ‘serious’ collectors.
Let’s cut to the chase – check out some classics listed below:
Delroy Wilson: This whole heart of mine, Ungrateful Baby
Delano Steward: That’s life, Tell me baby, Let’s have some fun
Bob Andy & Tyrone Evans: I sent you
The Yardbrooms: If you See Jane, My Desire
Paragons: What you gonna do, You mean so much, Memories by the score
The Eternals – Queen of the Minstrel
The Highlights – Ten to one
Dennis Walk – Drifter
Techniques – Go find a fool
Winston Francis – Fools fall in love
Dermott Lynch – Adults only
Robin, as I said earlier, too many classics to mention, so I am going to accept your offer and compile a list, but it will simply be a list of “classic” Rocksteady songs. Until We Talk Again…
Ok CarlTee, I think maybe you should reread my post. Firstly, it’s not my list. Secondly, I never said it was an official BBC list – quite the opposite in fact. However, I will look forward to your choices as I’m sure many people will. Classic or obscure – if it’s good, It’s good. And I’m always on the search for something I’ve not heard before.
Thanks for the comments. The list has put together by me and not Robin. Thanks for your responses though Robin, I have to say I agree with you pretty much 100%.
Carol. There is no definitive list of the 100 greatest rocksteady tunes – how could there be? Obviously the list is biased by my own favourites, how wouldn’t it be? I always assumed that this would be pretty obvious but your not the first person to have misunderstood this so I apologise if I should have been more clear about this.
I think we’ll have to agree to disagree if you think the list is too obscure. There are more well know tunes to obscure ones if you ask me though again this will be in the eye of the beholder. Someone who is new to the music won’t know most but someone who has been buying and listening to the music for even a few years is likely to know a fair few.
When I started the list the title was meant to be tongue in cheek, I’d seen many “best of” lists about different styles of music and thought it would be a laugh to do one about rocksteady. It’s taken far too long for me to get to the point of finishing this and as a result I’ve changed my mind more than once, there are maybe a few tunes that wouldn’t be included if I started the list today but that was inevitable and I’ll happily stand by the last 99 tunes listed as great records that deserve inclusion.
I’ve always been really interested by peoples own suggestions and have kicked myself more than once for overlooking stuff that has been mentioned. So fire away if you are up to putting your own list together. I think we might disagree about what is rocksteady or not – surely the Drifter is reggae and not rocksteady? But again that’s part of the fun of it and would make for another interesting discussion.
One last point, the people who have had the biggest disagreements with my list usually end up naming tunes I’ve already included. The Paragons – Memories By The Score is certainly there for starters.
Interesting to get your perspective on your choice of the first 99 tunes. I think it has been a terrific journey for all us watchers and listeners.
The classic v obscure debate is also an interesting one. I have not recognised a good number of your choices initially but when you have crossreferenced a compilation source more often than not I have the tune lurking on a dusty cd on the bottom shelf. Over the years we have been served well in the UK with rock steady on cd so revisiting some of these forgotten tracks has been part of the great pleasure of your countdown.
You have only one to go and I can think of a few contenders. Whatever you choose will go down well!
When you are done it would be intersting to get your list of tracks that you would have included on reflection as well as the ones mentioned by others that you are kicking yourself about!
Thank you dance crasher uk for your valuable support of the iconic reggae producer my father
SIR COLLINS throughout the years and off course the guys @ DKR
For helping the Collins family keep up a long tradition off making music that people want to hear and love
For your copy’s please contact http://digikillerrecords.blogspot.com/2013/06/sir-collins-stop-point-7-45-rpm.html
And stay in tuned for some historic releases from the sir Collins vast music library
And for all those haters that chat rubbish on the blogs and forums regarding my fathers tracks
You don’t know nothing
And you are new to this
From a pioneer in the game from the early 50s and still going strong I give you
SIR COLLINS
Well, in my mind the list has been mind-blowing – and i’m not gonna join the list of people claiming to “know better” – there has been a superb combination of – let me put it into three categories;
1….bloody ‘ell i’ve never heard this before…how come?
2….bloody ‘ell i haven’t heard this for years – i’d forgotten how good it was
3….yes an obvious inclusion really.
The reggae vs rocksteady is so subjective and can’t just be datelined. i think a few Derrick Harriott productions of late 60’s/ early 70’s can quite comfortably be labelled (I know I know) as rocksteady. The whole thing prompted me to draw up my onwn list of 200 (I know I know) – and it’s led to stressful sleepness nights. I’m currently turning them into a 8 CD self made box set together with booklets and packaging. The things we nutters do! Thanks for the inspiration though! Utterly superb – but hurry up with the #1.
Great Job , nothing to say BUT BABA BOOM TIME … cant have forget the Festival Song … I m really sad to say … you have to do the 101 greatest rocksteady tune now ! 🙂 🙂 just kidding big respect to all the musical lovers !
Respect to you for making it happen. It has been a very long slog I’m sure to put your top 100 rock steady tunes together. I share the same opinions as Ziggy. As in there were so many tunes there that I never knew existed or had forgotten. Which tells me that if anyone else out there wishes to compile and submit their own interpretation of a top 100 rock steady list, then there’s bound to be even more rarely heard and forgotten gems for us to hear and appreciate.
Me personally? I wouldn’t know where to begin. I’ll take a neutral stance and admire everyone else for their taste.
an absolutely superb list, i think Ziggy summed it up for me when he said that for him there were three categories
1….bloody ‘ell i’ve never heard this before…how come?
2….bloody ‘ell i haven’t heard this for years – i’d forgotten how good it was
3….yes an obvious inclusion really.
so many additions to my wants list, and having the sound samples has been a great idea – thank you again for all the work you’ve put into this Tim – looking forward to the Ska list now ;o))
Well done Tim P and thanks for the ride. This tune totally escaped my mind for this list but a good selection for No.1 I honestly thought Rock Steady by Alton Ellis would get top spot. Some tunes I thought would make the list or would be in my list would have been Are you Ready by the Progressions, Rocking Time by Roy and Enid and Dudley Williamson’s Anything You Want. But it’s all good. ; )
Well done Tim. At least people will stop nagging you now about finishing the list. Mind you they won’t be talking to you seeing as you didn’t pick their tune. LOL. For the record: my favourite Rock Steady tune (which didn’t make it either) is “Passion Love” by The Melodians. Get’s me every time I hear it…
A really worthy number one. How could we not have seen it coming!
Can I suggest that you think of another few dozen “ones that got away”. There have been lots of great suggestions from contributors and I bet you have a good number you wish you could have included.
Thanks for a great countdown. We have enyoyed your labour of love.
Hi, I would just like to say THANK YOU for this extensive work on these pama labels , it is very thorough , informative , and fascinating to go through , i have learned a good few things i didn’t know after my thirty years or so of collecting! And it really is so good to hear the sound clips , PLEASE do more labels ! It would be a big effort but most definitely appreciated by all us reggae nerds around the globe
Thanks a million for doing this. Ive been following it every step of the way and always eagerly awaiting the next choice. Im sad that its finished now.
Would you consider doing the same thing for Ska, Rocksteady, Roots or Dub? please please pretty please!!
Just to set the record straight: At The Party was performed by MILTON BOOTHE at WIRL studio with vocal backing by two members of THE PROGRESSIONS Milton Henry & Patrick Harty. Neither the Tennors or Maurice was anywhere near the studio at that time. The PROGRESSIONS were formerly known as THE JETS while at STUDIO 1 and did backing primarily for JACKIE OPEL and the Wailers were given credit for a couple of JETS backing vocals. In fact, The Wailers were very competetive in doing backing vocals and saw the Progressions as arch rivals. If you listen to The Wailers later work at Studio 1 you could come to the conclusion that there was some imitation going on.
These releases look so good, I would love to have a handfull but is there anywhere they can be bought for a “reasonable” price. I understand the quality of these releases is great but it’s anothing thing paying the price of an LP for a 7″…
I also wrote this on Facebook when the same thing was discussed –
“there are loads of big tunes missing Baba Boom is definitely one. It would have been easy just to fill the whole list with Treasure Isle big tunes but I didn’t want to. To me Baba Boom is kind of played out – I don’t get excited by it in the same way as I do most tunes on this list. Still it’s all about opinions – everyones list would be different. Cheers!”
Thanks Tim, I’d read most of those comments but not seen your facebook entry. I completely understand your answer, and frankly agree with you, “Ba Ba Boom” is sort of played out, just curious how you weeded it!
It’s interesting to note that Frank Cosmo’s “I’m the Greatest” was issued on Blue Bleat 349 in 1966 as the B side to Buster’s All Stars’ “Picket Line”, except it was credited to Eric Morris. Apart from a few Ska releases, I can’t seem to find any info on Frank Cosmo. Were they one and the same? The vocal on this track does sound a little different to Eric Morris’s normally very delicate voice. Can anyone enlighten me?
Robin.
Now up to ’62 part 3, what a pleasure this series has been, i’m just hoping it carries on.
Like the man said, not just the same old tunes over and over.
Not just a collection of tunes, An historical document.
First off, so many Thx for even beginning to compile this list, probably many points on the way you wish you hadn’t started!
Now you’ve reached number 1 I will dedicate a whole show to playing a selection from the list on my show (Live mondays 9pm via http://www.penwithradio.co.uk, and then sometimes on mixcloud… plug plug) though I just wish I had half the collection you have so that I might include the more ‘obscure’ ones!!
Now for the ska list?? !! haha where would you start?
Great list. Thought Carlton and The Shoes “Love Me Forever” was going to be #1. That’s not a crititism by the way, just a bet I had with a friend.
“Live Long And Prosper”
I aways interpreted this list to be based on artistic merit and effect on a listener. There’s good mixture of well known to rare tune. Some of the biggest Rock Steady tunes ever were commercial tunes made to sell a lot. Some tunes are made just for the dancehall for a hard core crowd. I totally understood the list and what it (in some ways) is suppose to represent.
Just found this excellent list. I have a couple more to add (unless I overlooked): “Rhyming time” (King Stitt) / “Always something there to remind me” (Winston Francis) on a Pre. “Crying over you” and “I am a fool” (Ken Boothe on a full labelled copy. Regards!
Thanks Tim for a beautiful job, and since I will not argue with your choices, here’s a few I would have had in there: Roy Panton – Endless Memory, Orville Wood – You’ll Lose A Good Man, Conquerors – You Can’t Keep A Secret(tbc) and Hamlins – Sugar and Spice.
I really hope to see you start a ska or early reggae top 100.
I’ve got a whole black bag full of pristine Black Music, Blues and Soul etc from the 70s through to early 80s. Are they worth anything ? Ex husband doesn’t want them anymore so there they sit up in the loft.
Another hero gone. I was always very fond of his toasting track ‘Croakin’ Lizard’ on the ‘Chase The Devil’ rhythm by Max Romeo and The Upsetters.
R.I.P Prince Jazzbo.
What a fantastic read this is! As a newcomer to rocksteady this is invaluable. I’m fairly new to Reggae – have been buying for the past year – I’ve really fallen for rocksteady’s lush vocals and hypnotic swagger. I hear Pat Kelly sing ‘Somebody’s Baby’ and just disappear. I’ve literally copied this list into my ‘wants’ book (as unrealistic as that is… some prices are crazy right now!) – I’ve a lot to learn. Thanks again – as a North London resident I’ll deffo check out the next Silver Bullet night.
I have the original issue of Frenemies and bought the recent one as a spare, I would say it’s definitely a repress, it’s a noisier press and the labels feel different
Early on in the series it was pretty much a take what is pressed situation, but now the prime importer gets Test Presses of a percentage of the titles so we can vet the quality, so there are a number of titles that we have rejected as just too poor to press (For example we returned the press of Alton Ellis’ ‘A Fool’ as the stampers were completely knackered) and others where we felt a compromise was worthwhile due to the extreme rarity of the tune (For example The Wailers ‘Lemon Tree’ which is pressed from the original UK stamper originally manufactured on behalf of R&B Records of Stamford Hill, sadly this gets noisy in the second half of the tune, but we felt that at a modest retail most collectors would accept that compromise rather than carry on the endless search for a somewhat pricy (and potentially noisy anyway) elusive original UK pre-release copy (The only way the tune was issued on 45 until now as far as I am aware). Likewise we find it frustrating when with certain tunes the correct original dub has not been available but in the event the original B-side stamper is lost/damaged we are limited to what the Jamaican end of the re-issue programme is prepared to do.
I am aware another party has mastered a number of other titles and manufactured stampers to re-issue a number of key titles in conjunction with Carol Dodd, however that project seems to have stalled at present in spite of a 4 four figure investment on mastering and stampers (Which I believe are currently in New York with Carol)
At present the JA end of the re-issue project is working through the store of stampers they have available and has no intention of manufacturing new stampers so as far as the Jamaican series of re-issues is concerned we are limited to what is in storage and useable at present.
It is also worth noting that within the last few days we have been notified that once the current stock of certain titles runs out there will be no repress as the JA end of the operation want to concentrate on what other titles exist in the ‘Stamper store’ so if you don’t buy them now you may well miss out (Some titles are already out of press)
In reply to justin
I love them, big studio one collector & not cussing cos
I bought them all (online).. But I was fairly disappointed
to find they are mostly 7inch cuts of the tunes
on a 12 inch piece of vinyl (with Hortense ellis & Willie Williams tracks being the exceptions) some only taking
up a third of a side. They are heavily pressed but it
seems like a bit of a wasted opportunity.. Could have offered up represses of some really hard to find amazing
studio one disco mixes that are out there :/
Peace
Rocksteady music should get more airplay on mainstream radio stations like capital radio @ Heart. We need more deejays like steve to promote more reggae nights at clubs in the urban areas like Brixton,Peckham,Brockley & Hackney.. I think Rocksteady & ska is the type of music that will live on forever. Soul Jazz Records is doing a very good job in promoting this music in their outlet stores, but there is still a long way to go before we can reach out to a wider audience who are crying out for anything other x-factor budding musicians. Respect to all comments made by you serious collectors out there. however, we could compile a list of the top 1000 rocksteady tunes of all time and still not be satisfied with the outcome of our all time classics.
Surprised there was no mention of sabatoge by desmond dekker or train is coming back by the gladiators. In the mood rocksteady by dandy and his band was a tune that a heard from the days in my buggy(Classic!) Anyways don’t want to go on too long but keep the good work up Dancecraher. You are a credit to the avid rocksteady collector
Peace
DJ 45 king
P.S I am looking for a copy of Rock of Gibralter by the Riteous Flames on Attra Records. Cant even find a copy on ebay. How much does this go for at auctions. Any offers!
I suspected that would be the case, and as I already have 12″s of both Hortense Ellis and Willie Williams tracks and all the other tunes in 7″/LP format I don’t think I will be buying any of them.
As you said a bit of a wasted opportunity, and I don’t quite see the logic in releasing them in that format.
i reckon Live Like A King/Skinney (sic) Leg Girl are a Wong brothers production, same as Girl Your (sic) Cold/Soul Man which came out about the same time and has Hopeton Lewis and Glen Brown singing – mind you, that’s only my (ill) educated guess!
I am the woman who came up with the name Greensleeves ..I used to be Chris Cracknells partner back on the 70s I I remember Chris saw an ad from Chris Sedgwick ..looking for someone to run a record shop…..the first shop was opened in Ealing. I remember suggesting the name Greensleeves records …and it stuck ever since. I wonder where they both are now.?….I gather they sold the company.
You have collected here a TOP selection of jamaican labels!
Big respect!
If you’re interested, i could provide about 20 jamaican label from the 60s that don’t appear here yet!
All the best
Stefan
LOVE THIS! great to have a soundfile, label scan and backround info about that released! well done!
p.s. i have a copy of Marcia Griffiths first record – ‘Wall Of Love’ / ‘You’re No Good’. so i could provide soundfile and label scan.
Best regards
Stefan
Hi Apollo 69 – Thanks very much – any help with label scans will be greatly appreciated! You can send them to dancecrasher.co.uk @ gmail.com
(remove the spaces).
Fu Manchu was also issued on a UK compilation called Star Explosion on Ember SE-8000 in 1970. This turns up a lot at carboot sales, charity shops etc. Lovely thick UK vinyl!
How in earth could they first release a cd of this never re-pressed vinyl gem!!?!!
A missed chance to release the vinyl version first( maybe including a free cd instead) very disapointing for now after my happiness they re issued this album…
anyway I hope this label will get enough feedback 😉 to release their vinyl version very soon……you can help to achieve this i think.
“Hey Train” is a version of jazz pianist Bobby Timmons’ “Moanin'”, originally performed by Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.
“Worksong” is the Nat Adderley (cornetist) tune of the same name, originally on an album by the man himself as well as a live version on an album with his brother Cannonball (alto).
Buster’s obviously a bit of a jazz fan.
Hi carol; my name is beneto brown one of your recording artist from the sixties, the first reggae reorded by studio one was I want to reggae by beneto brown, also from the soul two group puppy love, soul two,wount you bring your love soul two,once I had a heart soul two.
there is a mispell on beneto brown in the group soul two dennis and bennatta could you correct it.
The late Delroy Wilson had a tune back in the day call “The Duke & The Sir” I think the lyrics was refering to Prince Buster not having any respect for Duke Reid & Sir Coxone.
Lord almighty! Discovering the label scan from the Harmonians’ “Oh My Baby” (Tennors) really left me gasping for breath. I know this tune from the legendary “Reggae Girl” compilation, but have never seen it on a 7-inch before. Lucky owner!
I’m looking for a reggae album that was out either in 1977 or 1978. I think the title is “Head of the lion” and contains a song “heart of gold”. this was very popular in UK. Please let me know if that is right information.
Hi Bren: I am interested in buying issues from you if still available. Please email me at teamster6924@gmail.com if you would like to discuss further. Thanks so much…Michael
“Got To Be At The Party” was recorded by MILTON BOOTHE, accompanied by Lyn Taitt & the Jets and two members of THE PROGRESSIONS at W.I.R.L. and not Maurice Wynter. I was one of the performers on that track, produced by Gloria Barnett.
Your comment was quite a surprise to me, but I’m never against correcting the historical record, so thank you. Could you tell us more about this session (and any others you played on, if memory still serves you well)? And do you know why the mistake of thinking this song was by Maurice Wynter occurred in the first place?
Thanks for that information.
Could you reveal the other member of the Progressions who accompanied you? By my reckoning, it could’ve been Milton Henry, Rudy Mills, Errol Anthony Russell or Derrick Bucknor. Respect!
Just to sort out: Maurice ‘Professor* Johnson passed in 1967. This production must be from 68-69. Many copies with a “star” matrix have Deltone blank. “Push Push” was also released on UK Nu Beat and produced by Eric Barnett. Eric Barnett was the producer for Deltone. Eric Barnetts first production and also the first Deltone release must be Debo (aka The Horse). This was in 68′.
I don’t know who “Miss Barnett” is, but the same last name says it could be possible. Milton Boothe’ “Lonely And Blue” was released on Deltone.
If a Tennors member was involved, it just could be Nehemiah Reid for me. He also sung for Deltone.
Little Clive is indeed Clive Chin. I talked to him about the tune a couple of years ago. He wasn’t too pleased with the result as he doesn’t think of himself as a dj/toaster.
Hi, Fabse, E. Barnett is not named Eric, she is a female producer. Can’t Remember her name read it once somewhere. Erna? Eina? Enya? Enyo? Something like that
Hi Tim, just to let you know The Kingstonians’ Put Down Your Fire does come on a Jamaican blank as I’ve recently acquired a copy – same flip as the Doctor Bird
I have full collection of black music magazines from 74-77 including 1st edition. would you be interested in purchasing them? I also have a good selection of blues and soul
thanks Paul .
Sad to hear this, he was one of the DJ’s I liked cause he worked on so many Funky Reggae sides and taking that vibe over to Miami. Also cut some cool funk in Miami and worked with Funk organist Timmy Thomas. There’s a great clip from 1977 doing some funky Reggae with him and other stuff.
Great work, Tim. I return to often to this page that I felt I had to leave a comment this time. What would be really interesting is to read a bit more about the printers in Jamaica and get to understand the printing process of these labels. I don’t know if they have already printed sheets of the stock label designs which they then reprint over or if they do it the same time. And is the title stamped or is the stamp look simply transfered to the screen print frames. Great uploads!
Anbody wanna hazard a guess as to the identity of the singers on the “Federal Singers” tracks – The singer on “My Love” sounds like a young Delroy Wilson to my ears
i am interested in buying copies of black music please..especially 1974..
i had all my copies stored , unfortunately they were destroyed when the roof of my garage leaked and i didn’t realize till it was too late to save them..they cover all my years of concerts and allnighters and i would love to get them back. if any one can help please e-mail me.
suggi
I have a white label (possible test press) of uptempo reggae numbers, heavy synth similar to Upsetters output (Many moods etc).
The Matrices are SECO 26-A1 and SECO 26-B1, indicating PAMA record, labels smooth too like PAMA.
I think this may be an (as far as I know) unrealeased or uncatalogued UK Pama LP (SECO 26).
Its pretty battered and was rescued from landfill, but plays ok.
As all instrumentals on A Side (B Side needs a really good clean) its really hard to work out Artist, can anyone help if I can provide some soundbytes>?
I dont have any fancy phono to digital hardware but can use my phone to get an mp3. Thanks
hey, thanks brethren for the forgotten Idren & his wonderful contribution to the Jamaican music scene/business ( hope some youths will take heed) yes I knew the man well because I was in the trenches like him, just that I played the trumpet, times then was hard & has always been even now, so I give thanks for the heads up for JAH LLOYD RIP mi brethren
david madden
Just some information …. #52 Lesson Of Love by Slim Smith is a cover of Ray Charles “Somebody Ought To Write A Book About It”
released on ABC-Paramount
Johnny Johnson was lead singer of Johnny & the Attractions (not sure of the other group members. He now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. After the Attractions broke up through migration, Johnny was asked by Winston Riley to join the Techniques (about 1968-69), and he was lead singer for two of the Techniques classic songs “Travelling Man” and the fabulous flipside “It’s You I Love” (my personal favourite by the Techniques).Shortly after Johnny left the music business and entered the world of finance rising to become a top executive in the late 80s/90s with the now defunct Eagle Financial Network in Jamaica. Johnny has done several concerts in Jamaica and the USA; teaming up with Pat Kelly and bandleader LLoyd Parks as Pat Kelly & The Techniques since the resurgence of rock steady music via shows like “Heineken Startime” and “Rock Steady Reunion”. A nicer individual than Johnny Johnson has not been created.
man it is so gratifying to see him mention Judgement Time. I have been obsessed with this song for months now. i had no interest or understanding of the djay concept until i could not stop playing that track.
i cannot explain it but the way he rides that riddim just kills me every time. I’d love the opportunity to tell that man how much that song has meant to me. peace
I’m glad to inform everybody who’s interested that the first Hungarian-edited reggae discography homepage is now launched.
You can already browse more than 24,000 record titles (LP, CD) of 5300 Singers and Bands , including 1700 Jamaican Entertainers.
The Artists’ own websites are also linked (ca. 3500).
RE-‘Monkey Business’…ok, we know and got all the tracks on other skinhead related compilations and the like but at £7.99 for a double CD it’s well worth it for the cover and booklet alone!
I’ll certainly be buying it (pre-ordered 2 weeks ago).
Is Cornell Campbell taking the ‘Piss’? He did NOT Write ‘queen of the minstrel’, Curtis Mayfield wrote that Song, it’s Original title is ‘Minstrel & Queen’, released in 1962 on abc records In the USA. also Lloyd parks wrote ‘stars’.
Isn’t Minstrel & Queen the original ‘Queen Majesty’ (the Techniques) – actually quite a straight cover, although I prefer the Techniques doing it than the Impressions original. Is this the tune you mean? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR1tbrWB4i0
A few I’m not at all familiar with, but also a few very close to my heart. Solid As A Rock was a big time favourite, but mine was on the Big label. It vanished from my selection at some point, stolen by someone who probably discarded it like a throwaway toy, never realising it’s true beauty as I did. I’ve never replaced it.
No. 91 Honey by Slim Smith is what I titled my brand new blank copy of this amazing record. I titled it using letraset when medium was common, and I made it as “authentic” as I could manage (it still looks great) with black letraset on white blank label. I made it on the Hot Bomb label – that was the I Roy inspired name I gave to our little ‘sound system’ when we were teenagers which was little more than a record player with an added amplifier and a big home made bass speaker box, playing parties and youth clubs. I still play it occasionally, back to back with Compass. Lovely vibes.
I’m certain that Roy and Millie’s ‘We’ll Meet’ ended up on Island records (the bowtie red and white label) but then again, it was common for Pama, Island and Trojan to find that a rival had also gained a copy of the master song off the producer. Not too much of a problem for Island and Trojan at the time because of their shared link.
So, did Pama retitle ‘Debo’ to ‘The Horse’ to cash in on the Cliff Nobles number? But then again, what about ‘Deebo’ on Big Shot credited to the Swinging Kings?
We all have our individual objections to what’s on a list like this, I understand that completely.
But I have to say, what strikes me about this list is the obvious absence of Studio 1 material… No Bob Andy, no Heptones (!), no Alton on Studio 1, etc.
And of course, no list of the best of rocksteady should be without Albert Tomlinson’s “Don’t Wait For Me”!
Nice work still, heard a couple of tunes that were new to me, that I now need to start looking for 🙂
D Crasher, just a word of advise. If you are putting out a “list of the ‘best ever'” I suggest you refer to it as “my personal list” or “my top 10…so and so.” By referring to such a list as “my Top…” it is difficult for any person to object to, or worst ridicule, the selection, one way or the other, simple because it is your list, not someone else’s. As Mathias says, “we all have our individual objections to what’s on a list like this,” and he goes on to mention some — and I agree completely — obvious omissions with respect to Studio One, Bob Andy, and the Heptones. Let me put it this way: It is next to impossible to come up with a list of the top 10 rocksteady songs and not have Studio One listed. It is a cardinal sin in the music business, in particular the rocksteady era, to omit STUDIO ONE (and DUKE REID) from any “Top Anything Relating to Music” list.
And to echo Mathias’s point about Albert Tomlinson’s “Don’t Wait For Me,” if you are quite knowledgeable about Rocksteady, this song is an absolute classic. Plain and simple.
I must add, again if you are knowledgeable, and I say that with respect to everyone, and if you are discussing the top rocksteady songs, the Melodians (“Little Nut Tree,” “Swing and Dine,” “Come on Little Girl Come on,” and many more from said group; the Paragons (“Number One,” “Happy Go Lucky Girl”); The Gaylads (“Hard to Confess”); and other lesser known tracks such as Stranger Cole’s “Love Me This Evening”; The Cables’ “What Am I to Do”; Dermott Lynch’s “Adult Only”; “Play Play” by Rita Marley & the Soulettes; and “Shocking Love” by The Federals. Again, I am not advocating that every should embrace, or even like, the tracks listed above, because they are my selections, but from years of collecting Jamaican classics from the ‘Sixties Era.’
I challenge anyone to listen to these tracks, particularly the lesser known ones, and then let me know what you think.
PS. As a point of note, I would give props to only “Dancing Mood” and “Queen Majesty” from the “Top 10” list cited in the post to which I am responding. No disrespect.
Geez guys – did you read the whole list and all the comments or just the top ten? Obviously it’s a personal list – i’m pretty sure that was made clear. CarlTee we had the same discussion around three years ago – see above in the earlier comments on this page.
Still thanks for the comments – I don’t doubt if I compiled this list again again that the selections would be different in places. Albert Tomlinson might well be in there too – but sorry to disappoint, he wouldn’t have made the top ten.
The best thing about these types of lists is that people that are newer to a scene can learn so much from them. I think people that criticize the choices made in them are usually not taking into account that the very existence of such lists are often a stepping stone for new fans to the choices that they may have preferred to be included on them. Thank you DanceCrasher for a useful and fantastic buch of tunes.
Respect to Jah Lion. Anyone who had a hand in the Black Ark style is a hero and legend for all time, and shall be honored in the proper time as we today celebrate the Ancient Egyptians, The Romans, The Samurai, The Motown, The Rasta.
[…] thanks to the extensive and comprehensive Dance Crasher website for these; as well as a brilliant interview with Carl Gayle, one of the most notable […]
[…] and two great toasts by Blackout and Champian (I take it the same Champian from the excellent Tighten Up posse, big up Mistah Brown and Tim P) A top tune that’ll lure the sun back out into action […]
[…] the V&A Ska Garden Party featuring the excellent Gladdy Wax Sound System and the great Tighten Up Crew. It goes from 1pm until 5pm and costs a great big zilch and kids are more than welcomed, they are […]
[…] still semi-active, most recently putting out several excellent ska collections produced by soundman Vincent ‘King’ Edwards, who he told me casually he met “in Jamaica back in […]
Thank you for introducing our reissue!!
Now these 7inches are on sale @
http://www.copasetic.de/
http://www.honestjons.com/
more info @
http://www.rock-a-shacka.com/
Respect!!
Looking nice Tim! Let me know if you need help with WordPress stuff (not that I’m an expert or anything…)
What a great idea hope it all goes well,which it will!!
Lets get filling up the rocksteady category!
Respect
Thanks for the kind words; let me add that we also got soundsamples at our site, something like 1500 or so.
Two other significant databases i wanna point out (though there are even more than that):
http://www.reggaeid.co.uk/
This one’s also based on Pupa Vlados body of work, but has many additions to it. Search function isn’t top-o-de-crop (in fact it’s nonexistent), but the data is fine, mostly.
http://riddims.riddimkilla.com/
Not sure what data this based on; it’s quite barely designed (and french…) but it’s pretty good especially on releases from the nineties
Then there’s of course the great roots-archives.com, which doesn’t have any riddim info, but can provide lots of additional infos on tunes you may have stumbled upon on the other databases.
Like bass said there is a lot of site of this kind: I’ve done a little selection one year ago : http://www.nizetch.fr/post/2006/10/06/138-les-bases-de-donnees-de-riddims (it’s in french but most of the links still works)
Beres Hammond in the Gleaner Part 2
1976-87: Part 3
1987 onwards Part 4
Hey Tim! Love the new site, especially the 100 best rocksteady thing…looking forward to hearing them all…if you’re looking for scans/music or whatever for this project, just drop me a line.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt
There will definitely be some scans. That Rulers tune for instance – I know it’s a blank but I wouldn’t mind a label scan…
Tim
Like the blog Tim – very smart.
Lots more on reggae and nuns at:
http://www.myspace.com/alphaboysschool
Respect
Baldy
The magazine should be published in an English version also!
I’ve got one issue of ND and I had to write down the whole articles in wordpad just to paste them in Bable Fish (at altavista) so I could read it.
Tim
Cool Stuff and great to read your informative comments. But geez man if this is the tail-end of the list then can’t wait till ya hack it down to the last thirty…twenty….ten.
This looks like a great selection and I like the cover too.
PS Really like the blog Tim!
I’d like to buy some of these rock a shacka releases but have a hard time finding them. Can anyone recomend a good web site to find them??
Well, you`ve done yourself proud here.I pop back here every now and again,`cos your the mutt`s nuts on Rocksteady info.All power to your Dancecrasher 100 Best Rocksteady Tunes.Keep up the good work.Excellent.
Trevor
Are you playing out over the new year?
Hi Mikey
Definitely not New Years eve unfortunately. We’re currently having some venue difficulties and will make an announcement about this hopefully later today.
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
What don’t you agree with Idetroce?
Peace, love & blessings to all. Does anyone out there in internet land know if the rosie riddim will be released on vinyl?
This post has caused offence to a former moderator of the Chatty Mouth board. I’m sorry this has happened, no disrespect was intended as the comments are all reasonably lighthearted which I believe is clear.
Meanwhile the people at the Pama forum are a bunch of cheats 😉
>>cornbread
Thank you for being interested in our CD.
You can buy this CD @
UK
http://new.honestjons.com/shop.php?pid=32191&CatID=2
Japan
http://www.drumandbass-rec.com/
Rock A Shacka / Drum&Bass Records Crew
I’d be interested to see you list them in order of importance/usefulness Tim – (although I fully appreciate why you might not want to).
For all the drama on that board, the people on ‘Chatty Mouth’ have consistently been the most useful/knowledgeable/forthcoming for me when I’ve been seeking information about Alpha old boys. B&F a close second – but perhaps less useful now than it once was.
Respect
Baldy
Christopher Porter who wrote that piece is a good writer and a good guy. He kindly let me use his great article about Dizzy Reece and the great pics that go with it on my ABS page.
He has a mostly music-related blog which quite often features reggae at:
http://www.christopherporter.com/
Respect
Baldy
I wouldn’t dare Baldy 😉
Seriously though I’d say I enjoy Blood And Fire and Pama the best. As for Chatty Mouth, after the latest outbursts, childish digs and abuse I doubt I’ll be posting there again. Life’s too short…
So I’ll know where to find you next time I want to pick your brains Tim.
Respect as ever
Baldy
In case anyone missed it, the documentary is available again at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/12/071221_reggaenun.shtml
Presumably its only available for a limited period once again.
Respect
Baldy
That’s a pity in a way as it means a hiatus from a great reggae night, but I can’t say that I liked the Embassy at all compared to Catch from my brief experience of it.
Amazing… can’t wait to arrive home for listening the tunes! And this is the end of the list…? how will be the first 10 tunes? Good work!
Happy 1968 🙂
Dani
Baldy – just sublime. thanks for the peek.
Duh – it’s TIM right? Love that Headache tune.
Yes it is Tim Professor. Glad your enjoying this, the next part is coming soon.
very interesting.
i’m adding in RSS Reader
Prof – I only wish that my rocksteady collection was anywhere near as good quality as Tim’s.
Respects
Baldy
great initiative and a nice read/listen. cant wait or the rest of the list. just wantde to point out two of the most famous ‘versions’ of gir iv’e got a dat: Harry J’s Liquidator and the non reggae version of the Staple singers ‘Ill Take you there’ , to my knowlegde te only time a reggae song gets a soul/funk version, usually it is the other way around.
but i’m sure you were aware of this
bless Jumbo
That’s interesting I’m aware of the similarities between the two but never thought of Liquidator as a version of Girl I’ve Got A Date. I’ll go away and have another listen.
Tim
Hey guess what? the hottest reggae singer Ava leigh who’s worked with the famous Sly n Robbie, Nick Manasseh, and future cut has free music you can download at http://www.avaleigh.co.uk ?check it out.
Love your work and can’t wait to see the future additions. I’ll be interested to see where Desmond Dekker’s Fu Manchu and Alton Ellis’ If I Could Rule this World appear on your list. Love the label shots too. Great reading. Thanks.
I really like the new layout Tim. I believe that Little Clive who toasted on ‘African Bread’ is Clive Chin but can’t confirm that 100%. Nice to hear ‘Stamma’ on the intro as well.
Just in case anyone is interested the inspiration for Dennis Alcapone’s fantastically titled ‘Erotic Touch of Hot Skin’ can be found here;
http://tinyurl.com/2le6db
..and there’s a review of it here;
http://tinyurl.com/2sb4tp
It sounds like a winner!
Hi Tim, I realized today that I have the original rock steady version of Always and The Erotic Touch Of Hot Skin. Its on Olympic pre. Artist: ED. Parkins – Soul Message
Regards
Daniel
Thanks Daniel this is very interesting. There’s an email coming your way…
Wow! I’d really like to hear ‘Soul Message’. I remember Tim saying that he felt ‘Always’ was a version to an earlier rhythm whereas I felt it was on an original rhythm. Looks like you were right Tim!
Soon come Dave 😉
finally…an update!
i’m really loving this list, keep ’em coming!
many thanks for this depp work!
I wait for the next ep !
Great to see these lists of music I have loved for 40 years. Do not agree with all of the comments but that is hardly the point. Maybe you are right and I am wrong. I have most of them and want the rest!
Hello at dancecrasher,just stumbled onto your site and its brilliant.had to sell all my ska n rocksteady records years ago,just starting collecting again.Hope my faves are gonna be in your 100 greatest rocksteady list.1.wailing wailers nice time. 2.Tommy MCcook soul for sale.3.Ewan and Jerry rocksteady train.4.The Jamaicans woman go home.5.Bob Andy I’ve got to go back home.keep up the good work i’m off to put on some tunes.
“Patsy – Love Is Divine , This only came out on a Jamaican blank originally.”
That’s Not true i have it on a gayfeet 7 inch ( No repress)
“Patsy – Love Is Divine , This only came out on a Jamaican blank originally.â€
That’s Not true i have it on a gayfeet 7 inch ( No repress)
Thanks for the info. I’d love to see a lablel scan if that was possible.
“Patsy – Love Is Divine , This only came out on a Jamaican blank originally.â€
This came out at least twice on Jamaican issue (label or not) once with “Toast to James Bond” by Baba Brooks and once with another B Side (don’t know what it is but it wasn’t memorable) which unfortunately is the one I have!
Excellent stuff. I’ve always been very much into rocksteady so this top 100 is just what I need. If you need a scan of the labelled Treating me bad (or Miss Cushie with center, or Johnnie Cool on Olive Blossom with credits), let me know! I will be glad to help out. Respect!
Gissa a job!
Sorry to disappoint you, Tim, but the scan also comes from Clarendon’s website. 🙂 still I am pleased to hear that your hectic schedule still allows you to read my stuff…
LOL nevermind, there was me thinking you had a subscription to Womans World and Cosmo.
I’m going to do a quick rundown of blogs soon and yours will definitely be there. I’ll be interested to see if I can upset as many people as the messageboards one did…
there’s also a section now on soul-source.co.uk for JA stuff, plenty of clips, sorted by style
Hi
Honest John’s Records starts selling these 7inchies.
http://www.honestjons.com/
Copasetic will start soon.
http://www.copasetic.de/
The stocks is not so many.Please check it!!
Respect.
Hi Tim… have to say I think that the Drum Song ‘original’ is a bit of a red herring…. different chord changes, no trace of the horns melody (in either version) – and the bass line (though more obvious in the El Chicano) is close, but not close enough for me. Coincidental, imho, just like ‘Green Island’ and ‘Get Carter’……..
And while I’m on it – the original to Errol Dunkley’s You’re Gonna Need Me’ is by Barbara Lynn (on Jamie)…. Great project – keep up the good work, Cheers, Chris
Thank for this Chris, I’ve got to say I did think long and hard about the Viva Tirado link, any similaritiy is as you say pretty week. That said I thought the similarity with El Chicano was clear, but that came after Drum Song so who copied who? Still you much more of a musician than me so undoubtedly your right. I’ll amend the article when I get round to it.
Thanks
Tim
Sorry about this bad news. This is Terrible.
The Killing must stop!
Obituaries
Jamaica Observer
Jamaica Observer #2
Jamaica Gleaner
Trojan records
Reggaevibes.com
pioneers – Love Love Everyday. Hands down.
I agree with Mr Yank above – it is a superb tune. I would also like to add Don Henry, As Long As I Live and Larry Marshall’s Little Boy Blue…
Sad news, Michael ‘Mikey Dread’Campbell passed away
1954 – 2008
Mikey Dread At the Control, Trodding to Zion.
DREAD AT THE CONTROLS
Michael Campbell better known as Mikey Dread, is a Jamaican singer, producer, and broadcaster.
From an early age, Campbell showed a natural aptitude for engineering and electronics. After he finished college, Campbell started out as an engineer with the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC). Campbell wasn’t impressed that the JBC’s playlists mainly consisted of bland, foreign pop music at a time when some of the most potent reggae was being recorded in Jamaica. He convinced his JBC bosses to give him his own radio program called Dread At The Controls, where he played nothing but reggae. Before long, Campbell (now using the DJ name Mikey Dread) had the most popular program on the JBC. Well-known for its fun and adventurous sonic style, Dread At The Controls became a hit all over Jamaica. Inevitably, JBC’s conservative management and Campbell clashed, and he quit in protest.
By that time, Campbell had earned a solid reputation as a singer and producer and began recording his own material. Distinctive albums such as Dread At The Controls, Evolutionary Rockers, and World War III all became favorites amongst reggae fans. His collaboration with producers King Tubby and Carlton Patterson stand out as some of the best work each party has done. Campbell’s music attracted the attention of British punk rockers The Clash, who invited him over to England to produce some of their music. Although initially suspicious of the strangers, Campbell soon became the best of friends with the band, producing their famous “Bankrobber” single and performing on several songs on their 1980 album Sandinista!. Campbell also toured with The Clash across Britain, Europe, and the US, gaining many new fans along the way.
After many years working as a producer and singer, Campbell withdrew from the business and moved to Miami where he furthered his college education with courses in electronics and business. Disgusted with several unfair contracts with record companies, Campbell shrewdly waited until all of the existing contracts expired and then regained control over his entire catalogue. Since then, he has been re-releasing much of it on his own Dread At The Controls record label.
In October 2007, it was announced that Campbell was being treated for a brain tumour.
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/mikey_dread_dies
Big up crew! Lovin the melodica version as well 🙂
The Sean Paul mix is done by this mashupcrew: http://www.myspace.com/whoeverdjs and is called “Steady Temperature” and can be found on this website: http://www.phonicarecords.co.uk/detail.aspx?ID=28100
is this film out? looks good
wheres the new segment man? whats the deal with that?
hi there,
thanks for your feedback. This is a trailer for a film I am in the process of finishing. At this i am looking for some funding to clear the amazing archive and music. I am hoping to get this film into UK (and European film festivals if I’m lucky) towards the end of 2008.
The working title is “Ska Beat”
Thanks for the update Gus. Please keep us informed of any developments and good luck with the project.
Tim
Nice feature. I always imagined a Delroy original to ‘Smoke without fire’ before discovering this! Is there the same guitar bits on the original (Lynne Tait?)? Anywhere I can hear the whole original?
Keep up the good work.
Vinc
gwan ricky trooper ,but i miss you selecting for jaro
the ska instrumental is (confusingly) called Rocksteady riddim, released on Orange Hill a few years back with an AMAZING vocal by sizzla. I think it was produced by Alborosie actually?
Went to see this the other day. It is unmissable for any lover of reggae history but like most documentaries on the subject, does not give a clear indication of the music’s progression though its different eras, from boogie shuffle to reggae. Do see it though.
Donald Gregory
Wow. Thanks for sharing and rescuing Don Drummond from obscurity in our Technological Era.
Glad that you enjoyed the film and exhibition. I devised and directed the film and I wanted to give voices to the people that moved the scene onwards. So I only worked the story themes that Coventry people talked about.
Most older sounds talked about R&B from the Louis Jordan era, Bluebeat or ska the move to reggae and dancehall. Mento and Rock Steady weren’t mentioned in the interviews. I was happy that we got some detail about sound system equipment like the mighty GEC KT88 valves, Garrad decks and quad boxes which I hope make up for the gaps.
Many thanks for the feedback.
Really sorry to hear that Tighten Up is coming to an end. I’ve had some brilliant nights at TU over the years and always enjoyed the great music and nice vibes. Big Respect to Tim, Steve and Champion.
Nice one Matthew – thanks for the comment.
Have you plans to show the film more widely or maybe a DVD release? I’d love to see this myself and I’m sure others would be interested as well.
Tim
Thanks for the heads up. Enjoying listening to these selections.
Enjoying the site, the news pieces coming through thick and fast now.
would add From mi heart as another classic missing from this collection. looking forward to it though
cheers
reggie
Just caught with the depth of the site. Amazing job Tim. When you gonna complete the 100 greatest Rock Steady Tunes section?
This is technically produced by Don Williams of Rebel Music, but yes Stephen is credited next to the version on the promo.
Would love to know what role Stephen has played, it sounds partly band backed to my eyes (could be wrong of course). It’s certainly far removed from any of his other one drop efforts.
In any case, wicked wicked business.
Got my CD and the 7″ of ” Lorna Banana ” this week.An absolutely crucial set of tunes from the guys at Pressure Sounds.Excellent liner notes.
Thanks DanceCrasher for the initial heads-up and the follow up reminder.You were right – You Need To Buy It :¬).
spot on. couldn’t find any other good info on where it was exactly. WHAT A HERO
Great stuff…but where’s the part 4,5,…?!
nice! my studio one LP is NOISY
You`ve only gone and done it again ! ANOTHER brilliant set of scorchers.Totally agree about the Buster back catalogue,by the way.Looking forward to the next instalment already.THANKS.
Trevor
It seems I got the answer on my question posted on 27 june…in the best possible way…thank you and keep on rolling.
Thanks for the comments. yes Alex you encouraged me to complete this section! Hopefully I’ll get the next one finished a little quicker…
Tim
another good one out of california is called reggae revive – available through itunes – it’s not all revival, there’s some dancehall in there too
this is a wonderful collection of rocksteady beats.. i m a deaf individual who is confined to the steady beats and bass of reggae. the faster these lists come the more i can fill my mp3 player with some of these songs.. currently thru napster.. any better reggae song sites i could download some of these songs?
Still arguably the best album released on Studio One since the archives were raided by Channel One/Joe Gibbs/Bunny Lee in the mid-Seventies. Only “Everything Crash” rivals it.
Mind you, I’m not personally tempted to share out a lot of my hard-earned for ONE previously unreleased track and a couple of dub mixes
I’ll be having some of that
essential blog, great video clip, Rico Rodriguez on trombone. bless
Tim, glad to see your hairline has caught up with the rest of us !!!
Gaz
Less of that you cheeky sod!
Thanks for the link Tim. I think ‘Double Barrel’ was the first Reggae record I bought. I must have played it thousands of times over the years and still do. I really like the rhythm and play the version side a lot. It was really interesting to find out who played on the session. I knew about Sly and (obviously) Ansell but didn’t know about the others. Trust ace Engineer Lynford ‘Andy Capp’ Anderson to be involved too!
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone asked for the tracklist for the mix:
Red Is Danger (Justin Yap)
Big Big Boss (Lloyd Daley)
Sound And Soul (Caltone)
Tribute To Sir Alex (Ellis/Moore)
Reflections Of Don D (Joe Gibbs)
This is such a great read. Amazing job! Thank You so much and can’t wait to see the top of the list!
has anyone come across Tighen Up Vol 9?
if u know where i can get a copy please let me know
Wow, very nice indeed! Thanks from Alaska.
many fond memories of the Skatalites Band. As a teenager my brother and myself use to go to Bournemouth Club on Wednesday nights to hear
them. We journeyed from Spanish town by Bus not knowing how we were getting home at 3:00 am when the session was over. Dizzy RIP, You’re gone to join Gabriel, Don, Roland, Jackie, Tommy and the rest.There’ll be some sweet sounds coming down on the night shift.
As for me I got a whole lot of your music to last a lifetime.
Farewell Brother Man, Farewell
funny that you mention us in this context, i love this riddim and was planning to blog it already 🙂
it is silly though…
http://www.theheatwave.co.uk/blog/item/benny-hill-riddim/
If anyone’s interested in #61, “Won’t you come home” by Delroy Wilson, the version that appears on Dancing Mood is apparently a later, non-rocksteady rerecording of the track. I’ve been searching in vain to find an available CD release of this track…
Thanks one more time for the joy and happy moments you gave us with those wonderful gigs with the Skatalites and then with Jamaica All Stars here in Italy.
Love and respect to another, beloved artist of our wonderful music!
It’s been a while now since the last update now! More rocksteady scorchers for the people!
Seconded! It’s gonna be a cold winter without 60-01!
Yes, what about the next?
Since you asked for suggestions in the first post, i’ll give one: “Carlton & The Shoes – Just Me”. A tune for the top 20 imho thogh 😉
Hi, can’t play this Tim, for some reason i can never play .rar files, do you have it on any other format
Cheers
Robert
Hi Robert
It’s a compressed file you need to unpack it, there is an mp3 inside. Check this for more info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAR
Thanks
Tim
Thanks all… I’ve done a bit more work on this thanks to the encouragement hopefully I’ll be there in a week or so.
Nilo82 “Carlton & The Shoes – Just Me” a nice tune for sure but there is always better 😉
Cheers Tim, I googled rar files and downloaded a free extractor thing, thanks for getting back to me mate. the sellection is killer Asher G really is the man, do you have any other recordings of his apart from the one(s) on your podcast page. Really been enjoying the Proffsser and Archie ones again.
All the best
Robert
RIP Mr Soul of Jamaica, godfather of rocksteady, king of lover’s rock.
paul wrote:
“If anyone’s interested in #61, “Won’t you come home†by Delroy Wilson, the version that appears on Dancing Mood is apparently a later, non-rocksteady rerecording of the track. I’ve been searching in vain to find an available CD release of this track…”
The rocksteady version is on the recent Soul Jazz “Studio One Kings” – I didn’t (but should’ve) realized this was the work on TimP, that rare Rulers cut “Let My People Go” is the best thing I ever got off a message board, cheers!
Still lot of personal faves missing but 60 to go! Ken Boothe “Thinking”, Mr Foundation “See Them a Come”, Sound Dimension “Rockfort Rock”, Techniques “Traveling Man”, The Bassies “Big Mistake”, The Mellotones “Fat Girl in Red”, The Wailers “Hurting Inside”, Roy Shirley “I’m the Winner”, The Sensations “Lonely Lover”, Alton Ellis “If I Could Rule the World” and anything by Keith & Tex – so many tunes in barely a two-year time span, amazing! Eagerly awaiting the next ten
complete tracklisting here : http://www.djouls.com/index.php/various-dancehall-the-rise-of-jamaican-dancehall-culture
A song by Early B called »Deaf Ears«? Never heard of it. Waiting for the book but will probably not pick up the album.
I think they mean “Deaf Ears” by Early Black:
http://www.soundquake.com/mp3/6326231049502869101.mp3
I’ll second the “Love that Headache tune.”
Really enjoyed the night. Great atmosphere and very well attended. Here are a few clips;
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_sGGPLW3D5A
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb8L3pbolDs
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Fg4H7aTxo
..Cheers for the ticket Tim
hi to all i will in the new year have my uk dub sound system list ready to go with a lot of goodies the list will include all of my recordings ie sound system recordings going back to 1983 featuring myself Mc Clapper Priest
and will also feature many dub club sessions
and uk 1980s sound sessions so i will keep everone posted bless
I’m also waiting for 60-51 from far east!!
Hi Tim! Please, carry on with your great work! Still waiting for tunes like “So weary”, “The good you can”, “One Way Street” or “Red eye gal” – and hopefully more tunes like “The Greatest” which I’ve never heard before.
This CD will be the initial release of newly founded ROCK A SHACKA EUROPE section!
Manufactured and made available in Europe January 2009 – more releases will follow, soon.
Respect
Waiting way too long – thanks a lot for the work once more!
Another great top-ten. So nice with classics like Perfidia and Red Bum Ball, even thou they’re played to death it’s still classic top songs.
I’m so excited to see the new post for your 100 Greatest Rocksteady tunes. I check your website all the time hoping the new one will be up. I am slowly learning more about comtemporary jamaican music but my real love is anything from the 80’s back. . . especially rocksteady. Keep up the great work.
Worth the wait . Thanks for the effort put into this !
there are several other cuts on the riddim: blak ryno, jahvincy & demarco all 3 also come with clash lyrics against mavado/aliance,there is a slack gal tune by vybz kartel as well
bless jumbo
about the lyrics of Red Bum Ball:
this is NOT off course a ‘homage to playground plays’ (i dont think it would have been so succesful in Jamaican dancehalls) but a has a double meaning: it’s about about a memory of teenage sex in school, he refers to her Red BUMBO and how she cried when he ‘took it away’.
Just got the book the other day, absolutely beautiful presentation and lots and lots of info on the rival sounds of the eighties. The best reggae bbok for years.
Another great top selection…but…Arrgh!! What is the rhythm track on ‘That Girl’? I just can’t remember and it’s really bugging me !!
More great stuff. In the middle of a cold snap, -43F right now, so it’s nice to hear some soothing warm weather inspired tuneage. Keep up the good work.
The rhythm to that girl is Biafra By the Crystalites not sure if its availiable anywhere at the moment though
Amazing interview with one of the early dancehall pioneers , respect
iam trying to get in contact with a dj by the name of little howie. he came over to england in the 80s with the sound youthman promotions from jamacia. i have heard that he has turned a muslim. i also heard he was in south london area. he means so much to me so i would appreciate it if you can try and contact him for me and even give him my contact ,email. many thanks karina
Not sure if I can help Karina. I’ll leave the message here, maybe someone will see it who has information.
Thanks Fitz! I had realised it’s sitting on my ‘Undertaker’ LP ! Doooh!
I’m working on a novel based on Don Drummond’s life and times (told from the perspective of a contemporary inmate at the Kingston asylum who’s lived assuming he was Drummond) Thanks for this resource
quality reviewing, that. 🙂
given that an england story wasn’t a soul jazz origination… does that make this more or less predictable?
Hi Gabriel. Fair point (I’ve amended the text)though your compilation was of course released on Soul Jazz.
Whilst they may well have done something like this anyway, after the England Story comp (and it’s popularity) it was a bit of a no brainer really. I should stress this is not meant as a criticism of Soul Jazz – there’s nothing wrong with the comp or the idea I’m just pointing out the connections.
On a related point did you ever check out the UK Dancehall mix i done? I believe this slightly pre-dated your one that lead to England Story (not that I’m claiming any kind of credit or anything). I may put it up on this site soon as the podomatic page hardly every works due to bandwidth restrictions.
Nice one John… I was of course far too rude to point out that the first I heard of the CD was via the review linked through the mighty Uncarved blog.
bad news indeed..
hey tim
I downloaded loads of your mixes from podomatic a couple of years ago including the uk dancehall one, really liked them all especially the rocksteady ones (my favourite reggae era) and the jammy’s and black scorpio selections.
there’s so much uk dancehall (both vocals and productions) that is so good and still largely unknown beyond the uk reggae scene, it’d be great to have more compilations dedicated to that, all that brilliant fashion/montana stuff as well as mafia & fluxy, unity, uk bubblers etc. it’s a shame that there wasn’t space in an england story to include more tracks from that era, in a way I think we maybe ended up spreading things too thinly over 25 years on that.
re: the NYC comp, it’s definitely a good move on SJ’s part, I guess I was a little miffed cos I was thinking of pitching them a similar thing! but like you say, it’s a definite no brainer after the england story one and it’s not like I can lay claim to the concept once it’s out in the open – or indeed before, given that similar mixes like yours and john eden/paul meme’s Lyric Maker (or Fashion’s Great British MCs) had explored the theme already!
enjoying the top 100 as well as the rest of the site. can I add it to themusicologist?
http://themusicologist.wordpress.com
p.s thanks for the comment regarding the JamaicanVocalGroupAction selection that I’m throwing down..’River Jordan’ is certainly a killer whatever a wo/mans musical preference.
Asher G is wicked, digging some ugly tunes outta his studio one box. tuff session, bless up !
just posted the wailers cry to me. the harmonising always knocks me out..something else attached to the post that you may like?
themusicologist
man who sounds like he knows his ‘onions’
i’ll be there. looking forward to it
themusicologist
Thanks Tim. Nice mix as always.
thanks, no good local music for a couple weeks and ain’t able to get out to any ska/rocksteady/roots stuff(ie California ect) for a couple months. This fit the bill and I appreciate it. Paul in Fairbanks
First I’ve heard of this good news! I’ll get it listed on the London Dossier website. All the best, Jean-Paul
Nice one JP!
Tim
Sharp like razor…
Excellent image and especially interesting seeing as it’s a sound from my ‘side of the river’in South London……
There is currently an ebay auction of 4 Jah Stitch singles. The proceeds of this will go towards his fund:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120379785384
Tim,
speaking of Buster…just threw down a cut from his 1967 ‘On Tour’ set recorded at The Marquee? on the musical diary.
http://themusicologist.wordpress.com
While I am happy to see that there is a NY compilation like this, it also seems like the tunes that were selected kind of scrape the bottom of the barrel. I feel like they should have selected at least one vaugely underground Artist like Super C rather than having a bunch of Super Cat who was not, in fact, from NY. For that matter, neither was Born Jamericans (washington D.C.) or Uglyman.
Any chance of this becoming available to listen again? Anyone evry here the BBC radio documentry from around 20 years ago on ska? Love to hear that again. Thanks for sharing and producing this great blog.
Nuff respect
Prince Andrew
I’ll host this on my own webspace as soon as I can get it off podomatic. I’m looking to massively reduce the shows on podomatic so at least the ones that are there can be heard…
Nice one Tim for this again, are the others lost or are you reposting them in time,
I’d love to have copies of the Professor v Archie clash, let me know
Cheers
Robert
tuf selection..anyone know the title of the val bennett tune on the first clip? 2nd tune in…. in need it!
Hi Robert
I can’t get them back easily but it is possible so I’ll do this over time. I’ll have a look at the Keats Wine Bar clash. I never got all three parts to work on podomatic anyway so it’ll be worth a try. It’s a case of soon come at the moment…I’ll get there when I can.
Hi Tim, Look forward to that, dealy session that Keats do, been after of the vocal to Glen Browns “tell it like it is” and Gene Rondo’s “someday” since hearing them on your podcast.
many thanks for that mate
respect
Robert
Must admire your dedication in compiling this list. Wouldn’t dream of sugesting any of my own faves as all music is personel. Look forward to the top 50.
Cheers Tim you’re a star, made my night hearing this again, great clash, very entertaining and proper tunes for proper people
Cool Runnings!
Robert
@chuff:
I think the title you’re asking for is ‘Scabaduga’.
Great to hear a version of Baby I Love You. Will look out for Cabbage Leaf. Any other versions of this?
Donald Gregory
Hi Donald
There are no other versions of Baby I Love you as far as I know. My version of Cabbage Leaf is on the label illustrated – I’ve always liked the “Hard Rocksteady” comment on this.
Tim
Beautiful tune,The Rulers – Let my people go……………………………………..
it is posible to send me to mp3, thank you in advance,best regards jacky aka Skaville from Belgium.
So it says that Laurel was infact King Horror after all?
On a concert a couple of years ago Laurel said that he wasn’t King Horror. If I recall correct he said that Mighty Growler (http://www.bestoftrinidad.com/calypso/growler.html) was King Horror.
Thanks for the feedback. I’ve got to admit I kind of accepted it was Laurel on the basis that it’s on the CD. I’ll ask the compiler to comment and will report back.
Joe: Yeah, I’ve also heard that King Horror was more than one person..
Tim: I would be very interesting to hear what the sources are.. Just because it’s in print doesn’t make it true! ;D
I asked Laurence who was involved in this release and this is what he said…
“In regard the inclusion of ‘Loch Ness Monster’ on ‘Fire’, Laurel himself
claimed he was the artist on this and a number of other self-productions
that accredited King Horror, even though the name was also used by Lord
Davey at the time. But regardless of whether it was Aitken or Davey, we felt
it’s inclusion was warranted by Laurel’s involvement as the record’s
producer.”
So some people claim Laurel said he was King Horror, while other say he denied it.. Another reggae-mystery?
So it seems probabel that King Horror was a alias for more than one artist (and that Laurel at least was involved in the production). I have even heard people claiming that Lord Tanamo(!) was responsible for Loch Ness Monster…
Does any one know if Mighty Growler/Young Growler was a alias for Lord Davey?
No, Mighty Growler and Young Growler wasn’t the same person. Mighty Growlers real name was Errol Duke and was a trinidadian active under the 30s and 40s and presumably died in the 50s. Young Growler was his son, who recorded calypsos during the 60s notably on the Jump Up label.
wonderful! why did he leave?
Greetings Tim, that was fast! I’m still uploading them. I really enjoyed the selections from Tommy and Massa. Have to say a big thanks to Daddy Reds and Roots FM for the good vibes and to Ash for the tip on Pama.
aka Herbert.
Nice one Dave. I knew I’d have to move fast to beat you!
well done Tim
nice one for that!!
LEGGAE!
Ok, got some new info on Young Growler. Apperently he was not Errol Dukes son, but instead he was a chap by the name of Evril Davey who recorded some calypsos in 60s Young Growler.
Just noticed this, RKR credits ALL King Horror tunes to Young Growler:
http://www.rootsknottyroots.com/artist.php?aid=T122R464
Compare the Young Growler tune called “The Sausage” with the first King Horror tune “Cutting Blade”.. I’ll buy that.
Many thanks for posting Tim, always a tough selection from the Rocka Shacka camp!
Lonely Heartaches are on of my top top fabs of all time. One of the first 7inches I bought. Great stuff.
Watch This Sound is a total Killer
Glad you got round to another 10 great rocksteady tunes. Looking forward to the rest. Would have put “Can’t you see” by Ken Boothe much higher though but it’s all a matter of opinion. At which place will you put “Venus” by Winston Francis? 😉
I really like ‘Loney Heartaches’, that was a new one to me. Just ordered the ‘Rocksteady Rarities’ so promoting the music like this is defintely working!
Hip Hooray , Tim ! At long last . Keep up the good work for us mere mortals . Thanks .
What other tunes on this riddim. Have heard a couple but just cannot think of them. Think I may have one in my box. Maybe WIllie WIlliams
this Bootleg is on the WRONG label LOL, the don drummond song is a Coxsone prodcution on the CaribOO label, NOT the CaribOU. check out the labels scans on this site. So how come those japanese got it on a Dada Toari’s Caribou label?? hmmm i bet yuo the did not license it…. i am sure Carol Dodd is alread talking to her lawyers, so better buy this quick (or wait for the eminent official Coxsone re-release
Hi Jumbo Shower
This is a scan of the original on Caribou
http://www.dancecrasher.co.uk/blog/wp-content/gallery/ska-labels/bellevuespecial1.jpg
What makes you think this is a bootleg? This is a serious question as I try not to support bootlegs but obviously its often hard to tell whats legit and what isn’t.
Tim
hello Tim, now you’ve got me rethinking. Because RKR lists it as CARIBOO, same as this one: http://www.dancecrasher.co.uk/blog/wp-content/gallery/miscellaneous/toombstone1.jpg) i had this label on my wanting list for a long time ( since i am a coxsone collector) and was very surprised to see it on Caribou.
All other Caribou singles are more in a mento/calypso style and produced by Dada Touari, and this sounds very much like the skatalites , which makes me think Coxsone so how come this is on Caribou?
see, that’s why i was thinking that some one jus put the wrong label on a bootleg. And if it is a Coxsone production, Carol Dodd would have been invloved i presume.
but then again, the CariBOO singels seem to bee more from the pre-ska era(owen gray, cleu J)so it would be odd for coxsoen to revive this labelin 1964-65 ( which sound more like the era for this chune)
And maybe it was a track that Douari licensed from coxsone to put out on his own label. or a one off ska recording he madewith the skatates.
but i am not sure, as yuo say. most of the time those Japanese deal with legal matters more properly than most Jamaican or UK re-issuers.
so please take off my copmment if you feel like it, because it seems i was too hasty in condemming this re-release.
Cheers for the response. I was thinking the same thing about the Coxsone Cariboo label which was also very early 60’s. To be honest I have no idea who produced Bellevue Special I’ve not seen any evidence that it’s Coxsone, except the claim in RKR (without a matrix) but maybe it is?
I’ll delete the comment if you wish but the discussion is good so I’ll leave it if your OK with that?
please leave the comment, you never know maybe someone with all the answers reads it.
i found this blank on popsike: BLANK[CARIBOO]/MATRIX # CR 23 – DON DRUMMOND [SKA INST]
i dont know if its the same, because the listening function expired.
as for the producer: to me it sounds very much like skatalites in studio one, more so than treasure isle or wirl; but then coxsone rented out the studio quite often.
Absolutely amazing – thank you!
i had the lp back in the 70s and sold it out of ignorance. so glad it came back around on cd. the lagoon label released Treasure Dub 1 & 2 and this completes the trilogy. a hard to find work has resurrected for the world to enjoy. i will. thx, Lord Chris (musical savior)
Joe White`s ! I`m So Proud ” and its instrumental version by Karl Bryan & Lyn Taitt & The Jets is also avaliable on the ” Jamaican Memories ” CD on Trojan TJACD 014 , which btw is a storming collection of the original LP plus 16 bonus tracks !
Many thanks for this lists of tunes. So nice with your comments and pics. Facts Of Life by Roy Shirley And The Uniques and Dedicated To You AKA Dedicate My Song To You by the Jamaicans are my alltime favourites on this list(81-90).
Alton Ellis was the true “Godfather of Rocksteady”. R.I.P
I’ve Got A Date is a real classic!
PS I’m really having a good time here at Dancecrasher 🙂
Can it be better than this! I longing for the next ten to come…
Very nice opportunity to sample the session for those of us who weren’t able to be there. Many thanks Tim!
Perfidia by Phyllis Dillon is a true gem – one of my favourites here along with Derrick Harriott’s The Loser.
WHAT!!!!!! amazing keep ’em coming!
Nice session! Little write up here:
http://www.uncarved.org/blog/2009/07/out-on-the-floor/
Nice one John, many thanks for the support. She did come back on stage for a couple more tunes by the way – but it took a while…
photo here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveknapik/3726305470/#DiscussPhoto
Patsy – Love Is Divine
aka Find Someone, issued in the UK on High Note as the flip to The Gaytones’ Target (HS037, ’70), but I’m sure it was issued on an earlier UK High Note with a different title.
a superb Ska-to-Rock Steady, definitely Jamaican Soul!
Great site Tim, keep on the good work!
great !! any chance to know the title of that killing rocksteady track beginning at the 22th minute of the 4th part ?? I just love it ! Sounds like “the Ethiopians” but i’m not sure…
stay blessed chapter 1 will be released this month check out my space sir collins
and leave a comment
SIR COLLINS AND FAMILY
Hi Mateo
That tune is Buss You Mouth (AKA Contention) by the Ethiopians.
Tim
good job you recorded this session. sounds like a stormer. still gutted i didnt make it down. see you soon chaps
I really enjoyed listening to this. Great to hear Sir Collins and son reminiscing. I think it’s really important that this history is not lost.
‘Again’ sounds a lot like the studio one version (you said it again, any idea on the studio for this one?
Tim, thanks a lot dude !
maximo respeito…
keep burning
I wish we had this kind of sound on the west coast of Canada. Is there any way that this latest tighten up session could be posted for download, cause the older sessions are such great listening material. Thanks very much.
No problem. Here is the above session for download…
Part 1
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SX2O1WFD
Part 2
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=45QKBQNY
Part 3
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JUQUQH85
Part 4
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6ZGDEFTM
i’ve been following this section religiously since conception,the tunes keep getting better& better,and is a constant source of inspiration,how about Earnest & freddie-‘deep down in my heart,got this on a blank Flames(anyone ever seen a labeled copy?)i hope this gets an inclusion,it deserves one!
keep up the great work
please go to myspace sir collins
and download the chapter 1 album remastered from the original reel to reels from the sir collins archive
stay blessed dancecrasher and keep up the good work
sir collins and family
Just had a listen to your dulcit tones pon the radio broadcast. Sounding good…
Have a good carnival.
The Junior Soul track ” Miss Cushie ” is now avaliable on the ROCK A SHACKA Vol. 16 CD ” Orange Street Special – Fabulous songs Of Miss Sonia E Pottinger Vol.2 ” along with a collection of other fine Rocksteady .
nice clips tim. i love the bit on the 2nd clip where i lose my proffesionalism am bend down to pick up my red stripe. quality! will let you have clips on my camera when i sort them out.plattsie
nice tunes shame about the shirt!
There is now an online archive of Limonious’ artwork:
http://www.interruptor.ch/limonious/
Nice interview, but what’s the deal with writing ‘mon’ when the word is ‘man’? It looks so touristy…
The “deal” is that transcribing patois is difficult. My personal opinion that if you transcribe everything into “closest standard English” you lose the feel of the language. So when deciding whether to transcribe “take” or “tek,” “can’t” or “cyaan,” “that” or “dat,” I went with what seemed closer to how it was originally said. So a couple of times in the interview, when Trinity said “man” in a way that sounded much more like “mon,” I transcribed it as such; elsewhere in the interview I transcribed using the standard spelling.
a side is called Lena Bella – coxson, b-side is unknow to me, but accoding to RKr it’s a ken khouri prod.
Sounds great Tim, and I was wondering if you were going to post a link to download the night.
Thanks again.
Is there a play-list for the session?
Very nice selection by the way!
Hi Laurie. Right click these:
http://www.dancecrasher.co.uk/mix/Tighten%20Up%204-9-09%20part%201.mp3
http://www.dancecrasher.co.uk/mix/Tighten%20Up%204-9-09%20part%202.mp3
http://www.dancecrasher.co.uk/mix/Tighten%20Up%204-9-09%20part%203.mp3
Sorry Pappadave – no playlist – it would take too long. Feel free to ask about individual songs though.
Can’t believe I missed that Fred as I have the High Note 7″. I’ll correct the above. Thanks for the info!
Tim
Thanks to all for the comments. Trev – Miss Cushie details are updated – cheers!
Thanks to Paul and Brian for the info about Won’t You Come Home, I’ve updated/corrected the details on this one.
Sorry Skaville this is not a download site.
You are wright these two tunes are really nice to listen. And I like Ena Bella the most.
Very nice video. Specially the smile of girl in the video. I liked it very much.
“Too late” in on JA Kentone. The flip is “In the garden”.
i dont understand the info update on Wont’you come home. To my ears the version as it appears on ‘Dancing Mood'(the LP, i dont do CD’s) is the original rock steady version, with a slight overdub on the drums. so it’s not a remake as suggested by paul.
But why include a SO1 cover instead of the original chune?
The Conquerors – Won’t You Come Home (Gayfeet)
(riddim by lyn tate & the jets, not sibbles/mittoo)
Good question Jumbo… let me look at this one…
phwoooooooooar! excellent stuff, tim!
I guess you could possibly call it a Bow-Tie design.. LOL
From the fairly “Latin” sound of it, “Voodoo Moon” is probably a cover of the 1942 Enric Madriguera tune also known as “Enlloro”. He was a Latin American bandleader popular from about 1932-1950, and the tune was also recorded by Percy Faith.
Headache – The Ethiopians
Wow! What a scorcher! How you guys unearth some of these gems is mind blowing. Good work!
Dang!
Memories By The Score – The Paragons. I copped this from my parents collection way back when on a blank and had no idea who it was or the story behind it. Not dug it out for a while, but it’s double AA sider and a nice tune. Good work.
Big ups on the interview!
Big up the legendary Charlie (Sir)Collins. Glad to know he’s getting the recognition that he deserves! *thumbs up*
It was issued as AMG37B? Very strange, tapir’s list it to Glen
Great; didn’t ever see it on old site
AMG837B yes. The label (incorrectly) credits Ernest Wilson. Tapir’s listing is actually correct, but not what it says on the label!
Hi Tim
I was so pleased to find you gone all blogged as I was missing the email newsletter.
This is so much better. And hearing The Maytones cut for the first time in (too many) years over my morning coffee was a great start to the day.
As the youth of today often say “Tune!”, sir.
— Steve Cox
cheers Dancecrasher crew for posting the Soul Shake show and promoting my page. big thanks.
yes, Voodoo Moon is in a class by itself, no doubt
Hi Tim, Regarding the Soul Tops comments, as far as I know the group is the same as the Four Tops, or at least the lead vocalist is the same, Dionne Cameron.
Jumbo you are correct in your comments. The Conquerors version was first. I actually prefer the Studio One version, which is credited to “Delroy & Ken” on an old Studio One LP I have.
Tim thanks for posting the Alva Lewis “Revelation” – I had this blank for years and never knew who it was.
Woah! That Al Brown just filled me with envy! Massive tune!
@ Al Kaatz:
you added one Top to many!!!
haha, i’m sure you meant to write Three Tops (Four Tops being the Motown group)
Great session, could you tell me the name of the song that starts around 02.12? Wonderful tune!
Blessings from Sweden!
Oops, forgot to mention that it’s the tune from 02.12 into the third part I’m asking about!
This has been long awaited. As always a great post, Tim!
As kalcidis says ” long awaited ” . Another great crop of tunes here , Tim . Spoil us and release the whole caboodle on a multi-CD compilation ? …. we can but wish . Thanks for your hard work and eclectic taste .
Great posting — a terrific balance between your deep knowledge of the tunes as a collector/scholar and your outright enthusiasm for the music. Also, it is refreshing to see a list like this that balances the obscure rarities with more well known masterpieces.
another great selection,tim.so many of my faves in this posting-quality 2nd to none!
I had no idea ‘Foo Manchu’ was British! You are right about British rock steady. I propose a debate on great British rock steady. ‘Foo Manchu’ is already taken so I suggest ‘Rudy’s Dead’ by Little Grants & Eddie on Pyramid and ‘Invaders At The Carnival’ by the Invaders on Columbia Blue Beat.
Thanks
Donald Gregory
Yes, I thought you’d buried the project by now. Man I’ve waited long for this installment. “Travelling man”, yes indeed, though I’d definately put the instrumental, “Moon Shot” on my top ten of rocksteady instrumentals. Also good to see the Wail’nSoul’m starting to pop up, couldn’t be the last…Thanks!
Sorry! ‘Rudy’s Dead’ is on President.
Donald
Thanks everyone for the comments.
Trev – there is no chance of a compilation as I don’t have the rights to these tunes. I did think about a mix tape/podcast type thing though, I may get round to it one day!
Donald – other good UK rocksteady? Hmmmm that would be hard, there are some half decent tunes for sure but nothing else comes close IMO…
Martin – Trust me this won’t be buried but it still may take along time to complete! I don’t know Moon Shot I don’t think. Your comment about Wail’nSoul’m may well be accurate – wait and see 😉
This can be downloaded … right? I think CVP has these as podcast thingies in mp3. Do you perhaps have the link if so?
Hi Kal
The link is here:
http://www.archive.org/details/BlackScorpioAndDownbeatOnWkcr12-5-2009
thanks to Rasadam on Chatty Mouth.
Tim
Moon Shot is on the b-side of phyllis dillon & hopeton lewis”Right Track'(on the uk release). re-issued by Trojan about 5 years ago. and yes: a great Supersonics chune
Waited a long time for this, but as always it was worth it. I wonder what the top 10 tracks will be..
Nice post.!
Tim,
what a top ranking selection..
Ken Parker’s version of Sam Cooke’s ‘Change’ still kills me every time, (and has done since first hearing in the early 80’s)
respect to you
themusicologist
Very nice, Tim! I’d like header )
any chance for a download? i’d like to listen it on my ipod… cheers
On sale at http://www.deadlydragonsound.com
The Jamaican title of ‘Moon shot’ from above is ‘Travelling on Bond Street’. On the JA Treasure Isle copy it is also the flip of ‘Get on the right track’ (credited to Phyllis Dillon only though).
yeah man, stricly black scorpio pon di mix
big tchune deh yah! you should put it for download
respect
Thanks Originator and Princelo. You can download by right clicking here:
http://www.dancecrasher.co.uk/mix/blackscorpiomix1.mp3
I’ll try and sort these out as podcasts in future…
The Maytones cut is a world-class stormer.
Good working!
http://www.vprecords.com/index.php?page=discs.newlay&a_id=423&d_id=651
Found this
Respect
Thanks for posting this up Mr. P.
I really enjoyed doing this show, and the next one is even better, with many more tunes on it compared to chatty chatty levels.
Hopefully going to do one with Mr. Penny Reel too, also will likely be co-hosting a seperate show with Steve in the future showcasing a wider width of our musical loves..
Mikey
Nice one bmd – I look forward to the next installment.
Tim
On face value this like any other PS release looks very exciting but if like me you have the original 1995 release and the later release Down Santic Way another PS compilation of Leonard Chin’s output from 2005 you will note tracks 6. Columbo – Augustus Pablo, 7. Special Branch – Leonard Santic All Stars and 19. I Don’t Want To Lose You – Paul Whiteman all appear on the later release.
So what do you actually gain from the increased release? 9. Hell Boat – Santic All Stars (Augustus Pablo), 18. Mexican Rocking – Santic All Stars a straight version of I Roy’s Yamaha Ride, 20. Shouldn’t Say No – Jah Woosh the DJ cut to Paul Whiteman’s I Don’t Want To Lose You also available on the Chalice Blaze LP / CD and track 21. Santic Meet King Tubby – King Tubby & The Santic All Stars the dub / version to Paul Whiteman’s I Don’t Want To Lose You.
Two tracks are deleted from the 1995 release 15. Free Jah Jah Children – Jah Woosh and 16. Blackman In Dub – Augustus Pablo & Paul Blackman, which to my listening ear is the same as track 21 from the new release Santic Meet King Tubby – King Tubby & The Santic All Stars.
You can do the maths for yourself, the only advice I would give is…….if you don’t have either of the releases mentioned then you do need to buy it.
Rickyroots.
The lead vocal on Travelling Man is actually by Johnny Johnson of the Techniques and not Pat Kelly. Watch the Rock Steady Reunion video and you’ll see him sing it. Johnny dropped out of the business although he is rumoured to be the voice behind Johnny and the Attractions. May well be true?
Yeah I wish I wrote more about reggae as well! 🙂
Any rich benefactors who want to support my immense talent should get in touch 😉
Mikey, I really enjoyed listening to the show and looking forward to Part 2. Thanks to Steve for the name check!
Dave, I’ve thought for ages that I’d really like to get a show organised where I interview your goodself, if you want to let me know yay or nay please contact on mikeymurphy@btinternet.com
tah for listening, …
mike
“yaabby yaabby youuuuu!! ”
Truly a sound to knock down Babylon walls
We lose the man at a time of such iniquity
When righteousness is at a premium
We need music such as his to remind us that there is a proper way to live our lives
Bad news Dance Crasher
“Seventy two different nations”
Saludos muy buena la musica y todo
Really really sad news.. What a genius that man was..
http://www.souljazzrecords.co.uk/releases/?id=18059
Steve B was putting this together sleeve note wise when I visited, hence his playing of Jamaica History Lesson from Early B. Wonderful tune and worth the two lps just for imo.
mikey
Just to let you annd everyone know Tim –
066 Bigmikeydread Reggae Radio presents The Steve Barrow Special – Part 2
is available –
DOWNLOAD – http://bigmikeydread.podomatic.com/enclosure/2010-01-25T12_38_58-08_00.mp3
Is it any chance for transcript of this chats?
Lesha, hi I’m Mike the guy who did these interviews, I thought about transcribing them, but have put that idea aside, just not enough time in my life to do it. However anyone is of course welcome to do exactly that and I’d be all the help I could.
mikey
I think it would be a good idea bmd – I could help and host it if your interested?
Hi Tim, I’d be very interested in seeing them transcribed, just not in doing the work myself. It’s only that I am so busy with stuff, I’ve got shows coming up to do with Steve gain, the possibility in the offing of doing something similar with Penny Reel and I hope Dave Home, plus the shows I already do, the websites I’m designing and the blog I’ve just started regarding wider musical interests. It’s all mad, plus the 2 year old, the wifey and the lack of a job at the moment. . . (as you know, ’cause you’re doing similar)
If I can help then I can send a DVD of the shows, but I just can’t spend the time doing the transcribing. Anyone else who wants to put in the time is very free to do so thought. There is nearly 4 hours of chat, so the transcription I can’t imagine how long that would take, it would certainly be a big job. I’d be happy for you to havem hosted at D’Crasher, as you know you were my original inspiration!
Nice one bmd I’ll be in touch…
Tim, have sent PM back to you a C Mouth, call me or e-mail whatever, and let’s chatty chatty mouth nicodemus…
>>In our father’s house<>My baby is gone<>Old broom<<.
Really sad news. RIP Lyn Taitt.
RS Digital and Jude presented a really nice tribute to Lyn Taitt on Supreme FM. I hope they don’t mind me putting links to the show here;
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Crikey..did I beat Tim? Result!
Wow – that was quick! Thanks very much Dave.
Tim
Simple Simon cut Christopher Columbus twice both times on full up! First one was for Hit Bound and then for the LP he did for Striker. If you notice, the riddim is a bit more digital than the Hit Bound edition.
Nice, nice!! The maytones in their glory!! Managed to get this on JA Blank backed with Cold up!!
This is also available on spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/0La51E2dWdpjRMiOTUdHBh
Thanks for this Jorgen!
Hi Tim,
Sorry to high-jack this thread but do you know if there’s any recordings of the Dancecrasher Tiny T & Professor Mark night a couple of weeks back, sounded a good night!!!
Cheers
Robert (Roliesoul)
My favorite all tho not listed is Slim Smith (out of love)
you cant beat the smooth harmony in that song. It sounds like the man
really crying. I just love this song to death as if it just came out.
Hi, sorry to comment here, but, please please please, more posts of 100 greatest rocksteady tunes!!! 🙂 thanx! cheers from brasil! this site is extremelly good! 🙂
David Katz has an obituary of Lynn in the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/10/nearlin-lynn-taitt-obituary
Site’s looking very nice Tim. Nuff respect!
I enjoyed the mix and the site as a whole hope to get down to another one of your nights, me and my girl enjoyed the Texas Ranger one. Check out my blog and our runnings up in brum http://www.friendlyfiremusic.com/.
Love and abide
Oh don’t if you’ve got it or heard it but it a witty gem. Shelly Thunder – Shock me A shock – Sleng teng. you can hear that on my special http://olbiiyah.co.uk/mixes/
Many thanks for the correction Top Bore – I’ve changed the credit.
Hi Tim, Nice Nice session!!!!, do you have recording of the Tiny T Dancecrasher nite a few weeks back.
cheers
Robert
What kind of device do you use to record your sessios? I’ve used a lot of different gadgets but the sound quality is always a dissapointment..
Hi Robert – Thanks for asking. Yeah I’ve got a recording of the Tiny T dance. The mic didn’t come out but the rest is there, I’ll put it up for a download tomorrow.
Prince Horror – The recordings are done to an old mini disc and then recorded to the computer in real time. They are recorded directly from the desk (not by mic) which means the quality is usually very good.
Many thanks
Tim
The ad with Long and Short of it features Kew and Ossie DaCosta. Kew is the Long one.
what happened with the movie, could you finish? would like to see more…
greetings from germany,
ray
Never mind the free postcard or poster – I want one of them tee-shirts Jammy’s wearing! SUPER POWER!
definitely!
the story is well known and told manuy time before, but sleng teng was released at least 1 week earlier than feb 23,’85 in the UK: new entry at number 5 in the Echoes disco 45 charts of februari 16, 1985. (see: http://www.xs4all.nl/~tapirs/1985.htm)
so whats the deal with that?
February 16, 1985
Pre-release
1. Gregory Isaacs – GP – Full House
2. Dennis Brown – Historical Places – Joe Gibbs
3. Frankie Paul – Tidal Wave – Powerhouse
4. Sugar Minott – Loving You – ET
5. Paul Blake And The Bloodfire Posse – Pink Panther – Studio Works
6. Tristan Palmer And Jennifer Lara – Love Has Come At Last – Fantastique
7. Junior Reid – Babylon Release The Chain – ET
8. Sly And Robbie – Maxi Taxi – Taxi
9. Al Campbell – One Beer Bad Boy – Rocky 1
10. Paul Blake And The Bloodfire Posse – Every Posse Get Flat – Studio Works
Disco 45
1. Barrington Levy – Here I Come – Time
2. Paula – Jazzy Baby Lady – Rock And Groove
3. Trevor Hartley – Call On Me – Sir George
4. Sugar Minott – Herb Man Hustling – Black Roots
5. Wayne Smith – Under Me Sleng Teng – Greensleeves
6. Al Campbell – Really Got To Get You – Fashion
7. Charisma – Something About You – NK
8. Maxi Priest – Should I? – Level Vibes
9. Junior Reid – Original Foreign Mind – Black Roots
10. Johnny Osbourne – In The Area – Greensleeves
Albums
1. Cocoa Tea – Wha Them A Go Do – Can’t Stop – Volcano
2. Dennis Brown – Revolution – Yvonne Special
3. Sugar Minott – Herb Man Hustling – Black Roots
4. Leroy Smart – She Just Draw A Card – Worldwide Success
5. Asher Senator And Johnny Ringo – JA To UK MC Clash – Fashion
6. Sugar Minott – Riddim – Powerhouse
7. Barrington Levy And Frankie Paul – Barrington Levy Meets Frankie Paul – Arrival
8. Roland Alphonso – Roll On – Wackies
9. Alton Ellis – Showcase – Studio One
10. Saxon Studio Live – Coughing Up Fire – Greensleeves
Compiled by Dub Vendor, 274 Lavender Hill, London SW11
or a ‘lifebuoy’ design
yeah was thinking about that one too… any chances to get one??
super cool
Fair point it would be interesting to see if there are sound tapes of it being played before the Black Scorpio clash. It’s hard to believe that it wouldn’t have been played on a sound somewhere if the Greensleeves release was out there.
I’ve always assumed that the Jammy’s 7″ came out before the Greensleeves 12″ but maybe not??
i dont know. I do know that a lot of music was only (or first) released in the UK ( from the pama-trojan days up to Jet Star & Greensleeves decline)
because there was a huge market. so it is possible that Jammy first wanted to test the highly experimental sound of sleng teng on the UK market before release in in Jamaica.
And greensleeve was right on the case releasing material of producers like junjo, jammys and george phang.
Also i cannot beleive that if the JA 45 was releasedd before it wouldn’t turn up in the Echoes import 45 top 10..
This one is for the people that were there..I was just a teenager in Holland.
but now the deepen the mystery:
First time i heard Sleng Teng was on Mikey Dread’s radioshow ‘Rockers In The Morning'(still have it on tape)
I tried to find out the transmisson date for a reference. and this is what i read on Mikey Dreads homepage:
Later in 1983-1984 Mikey Dread was employed at VPRO Radio in the Netherlands as a host and producer of a very successful weekly reggae program called “Rockers in the Morning.”He also presented a reggae show for Radio West in Bristol and produced reggae special reports for BBC Radio 1 for a national broadcast across the UK.
In 1984 Mikey Dread hosted live events including “Miss Black UK pageant” in Birmingham.
…
In 1985 Mikey Dread produced and presented a Reggae Radio special for Australian Broadcasting Corporation 105.7 FM JJJ Radio Sydney, Australia.
So if he hasn’t mixed up any dates it has to have been 1984!!
I will go in a Holmes mode and aks the radiostation, maybe they can look up any old transmission dates and solve this riddle
very nice, thanks. hope to come check you in London one day this year. One question, what is the 3rd tune in part 1(….Hip Hip Hooray… that sounds like Lovejoys)?
Easy Marni – that tune is Penetrate by The Almighty Stones. Great record. Picked it up a few years back off DJ Stein (The System) but haven’t played it out that much. Can’t remember the label right now tho…
Just had a bit more of a listen and I’m actually only playin for the first 20 mins after which Plattsie takes over with that killer horns ting so his set’s right on there for sure. Will have a proper listen later.
Cheers,
Steve
Thanks Mistah Brown – so Plattsie is on the recording after all! Excellent – I’ll let him know.
Thanks M.B., found out I heard it on eBay before (and lost the bid). Did a little research: on the original issue (Welders 7″) they were named Mighty Artons. Only 50 copies were issued apparently. Then as The Almighty Stones on Hot Stuff. But what a bass.
That ‘Be At The Jamaican Success Club’ sleeve from Al Kaatz is the kind of thing I wake up from seeing in lovely happy dreams.
Que buen y maravilloso trabajo ..mil gracias a quienes se tomaron la tarea de hacerlo
Excelent and wonderful work..many thanks to all of those who made this list
Caplis
as far as I know, Sleng Teng was played the very first time ina dance by Blacka Dread on 11th of January 1985 (Sir Coxsone vs Saxon). Coxsone got the Under Me Sleng Teng pre-release from Jammy (different mix as the JA 45) and they also had a dubplate on Sleng Teng by Junior Reid called Under Sir Coxsone. my friend who was an active part of the Sir Coxsone crew in those days told me that they had the dubplate a couple of months before the pre-release. anyway, this claim opens a new topic – what was the first tune on Sleng Teng? 🙂
Jumbo: I’m not sure if Mikey Dread played it in 1984. But let me know if you find out the transmission date.
here’s the Sleng Teng part from the Sir Coxsone vs Saxon clash
http://www.peppa.biz/doncosmic/Sir_Coxsone_vs_Saxon_11-1-85_(Sleng_Teng).mp3
You can get them at our store but your link appears to not be working — a question of a deadlydragonsound.co instead of a deadlydragonsound.com!
Thanks for that – the link is fixed.
@ Don cosmic,very interresting. You’ve been able to push forward the release with at least a month.
I’ve written to the national media archive here in the Netherlands, hopefully they can provide me with exact transmission dates of the Rockers In The Morning Show.
Yes this is great so thanks for that Don Cosmic. I haven’t seen that tape before, I don’t suppose you could put the entire tape up to download?
I intend to ask a few people about this but suspect that the answer is going to be that no one really remembers!
i did get a reply from the Media Archive, they have 2 undated Rockers In The Morning shows in their possession. so unfortunately i cannot find out the transmission dates. THe arent allowed to copy them for me, but i could go there and listen at a 45 euros an hour rate.. which is a bit much.
hpoefullw someone else will add with some new information.
45 euros an hour! hmmm. Oh well thanks for trying! I’ll report back if I can get further info.
Thanks Tim, nice article as you say, I like the way this guys peices stuff together,…
45 Euros is a bit steep if they search you on the way in
😉
Jumbo: I didn’t push the release date forward. Sir Coxsone played a pre-release (with an intro) and not an already released tune. I know you didn’t mean it like that, I just want to be precise. I’m sure you know that any detail matters.. 🙂
Tim P: throw a mail to doncosmic(at)peppa(dot)biz, I’ll give you a link for the whole tape.
true, but in the UK the term pre-release is usually used for a Jamaican import 45 (blank or printed)and a release a UK printed 7 or 12″.
So if he spinned a JA pressed 45 pre, it would have been pressed and thus available at least a few days before( manufacturing and transport time minimized)in Jamaica.A nd if a UK sound would have it i am sure Jamaican sounds would be able to play it as well eventhough it wasn’t available to the general public, thus not pushing the official release date further, but in the same time shedding doubt on the february soundclash sleng teng debute myth.
If on the other hand Coxsone played an UK pre-release/testpress they obtained from Greensleeves, Coxsone could well be the sole sound worldwide to play that chune on that moment(except for Jammy’s Superpower offcourse)
greatï¼ã€€thanx!
The version on the tape is off dub plate surely and not a vinyl issue, as well as the spoken intro it sounds like the mix is different though I could be wrong about this as its hard to tell if the sound is being manipulated by Blacka on the sound. So it’s a pre but not in the sense of a Jamaican vinyl issue.
As such this proves nothing concerning what date the UK or Jamaica issue was released but it certainly corrects when it was first played out in a dance.
hi!
Pama Bullet – BU 419 – 1970 ” Bunny Lee AllStars – Hot Lead ” is the second cut, but with piano and less strong organ, to Trojan ATTACK – ATT 8001 – 1969 ” BIG L – MUSIC BOX ”
all the best
stefan
Hi,
Caribbean Music Festival 1969
I went to this concert in 1969 and I still have the ticket.
Would it be possible to get a PDF download of the programme as mine has got lost over the years.
This was a brilliant concert and I feel proud that I travelled with a few of my mates on the train down from the Wirral, Cheshire at the time of this feast of reggae music. Superb.
Many thanks,
Alan Hughes, Bromborough, wirral
Hi Alan
I went to the concert,have a program ( Priced 2/6 ) do you wish to buy it ?
niceness indeed , question is ; when is that actualy going too be released , it’s been nearly 2 year’s any reason for hold up ?
Hi
Ive listened to the rest of that tape thanks to Don Cosmic. It’s certainly very early 85 but unfortunately there is nothing on the tape to indicate a definite date (no announcements of future dances etc). That said I don’t doubt the information given by DC so 11th of January 1985 is the probable date. It’s credible to think that Jammy’s may have let a dubplate of Under my Sleng Teng go to Coxsone in the UK (but not to any Jamaican sound) knowing that would have little impact on what he done when re-lauching Jammy’s Supa Power at the dance with Black Scorpio.
I spoke to Champian from Jamdown Rockers about Sleng Teng the other day, he thinks the Greensleeves 12″ did come out first and also that it wasn’t the first tune released on the rhythm with Pumpkin Belly, for one, coming first. This again probably causes more questions than it does answers as Under My Sleng Teng is in the UK reggae charts on 16 February 1985 yet Beth Lesser puts Tenor Saw voicing Pumpkin Belly on exactly the same day!
Great detective work
I suppose this is a good time to post up the track listing:
1. Midnight Riders – Cork Dancehall
2. Rev. Danny Dread – Ruff Neck Business
3. Don Angelo – Bicycle Move
4. Steve Knight – Tell Them Already
5. Andy Williams – Play Them Selector
6. Errol Bellot – Weh Do She
7. Rupie Culture – Ruff & Tuff
8. Chuck Turner – Run Around Girl
9. Screwdriver – She Boom Style
10. Conroy Smith – Love Affair
11. Sammy Levi – Wrap Up
12. Cutty Gritty – Heat
13. Horace Martin – Hackle Me
14. Anthony Malvo – Can’t Stay Yah Girl
15. Super Black – Just Like Magic
16. Pad Anthony – Born Lover Man
17. Professor Nuts – No Gun
18. Admiral Tibet – Dis Girl Hot
19. Derrick Parker – Joyride
20. Carl Meeks – Tuff Scout
21. Captain Leafie – Cant Hold We Down
22. Pinchers – Young, Fresh & Green
23. Malibu – Ragga Muffin Selector
24. Desmond Scarlett – Poppy Show Lover
25. Hopeton Junior – Hard Fe Get
26. Tippa Irie – Bad Boy
27. Screwdriver – We Rule
28. King Everald – A Nuh Me Officer
29. Dignitary Stylish – Jah Send Mi Come
30. Everton Blender – Blend Them
31. O’Neil Famous – Hackle De Brain
32. Prince Jazzbo – 333
33. Super Black – Rambo We Rambo
34. John Wayne – Me No Response
35. Bimbo (Garnett Silk) – Problem Everywhere
36. Tony Rebel – Starvation
37. Flinty Ranks – Gunman Style
38. Pad Anthony – Turn Me Loose
39. Pad Anthony – Gotta Be Strong
40. Barry Back – Lose Me Work
41. Gregory Peck – Stamma Mi Stamma
42. Banana Man & Derrick Irie – Tight Clothes
43. Papa San – Respect Due
44. Michael Bitas – Champion Bubbler
45. Carl Meeks – Who A Tell The Tale
46. Anthony Selassie – Busy Body
47. Nitty Gritty – Original Banga Rang
Damn, track 7* by Rupie Culture is not ‘Dancehall Bubbler’ it’s called ‘Ruff & Tuff’ my mistake, I wrote the list from memory.
Thanks Luke – I’ve updated the original list.
Hi Stefan
I don’t think I know Music Box – if you can supply a sound sample and label scan please let me know.
Many thanks
Tim
And here is part 2: http://deadlydragonsounds.blogspot.com/2010/04/from-archives-swing-magazine-july.html
Thanks Tim
Great music from my youth days. I sense a lot of Lynn Taitt guitar riddims in these tunes. He recently passed (January 2110) with very little comment, a true pioneer of the genre.
Hot Coffee is the horns cut to Cherry Pink, by Mr. Miller on Jackpot JP703 and Pat Satchmo on Bullet BU427B.
Thanks very much!
Tim
Big up! If anyone wanna download the mix – here’s the link http://www.box.net/shared/p02dygevz3
and part 3: http://deadlydragonsounds.blogspot.com/2010/04/from-archives-swing-magazine-july_30.html
Thanks a lot mate. Was sorry to miss it.
See you soon
Part 4: http://deadlydragonsounds.blogspot.com/2010/05/from-archives-swing-magazine-july.html
Stagalag seems to be almost as good as Zion Gate and Rebellion 2010. Another nice relick is the new version of Boops riddim by Jukeboxx productions. Nice cuts by Romain Virgo, Tarrus Riley and Chino.
It’s nice to see a song I wrote, a record I produced on the Sue Label with Bobby Lee back in 1966, is still being heard regardless of who the artist is. The back side of the original version had a change of mood for me when I wrote it. I was being more optimistic when My Luck Is Bound To Change was recorded. Im still waiting for the royalties from 1966….lol
big up dancecrasher
nice page and wicked infos
i appreciate it…so keep going 😉
one lone
Hi Tom
Thanks very much for the comment – it’s an honour to hear from you. Unfortunately I can’t say I’m surprised about the royalties – had you ever heard the Sensations version before now?
It’s a shame the Sensations couldn’t have backed their version with “My Luck Is Bound To Change” it might have given a better context to “I Was Born A Loser”.
Thanks again for dropping by and leaving the comment.
Tim
Thanks Erik – I hadn’t heard the Boops version (I slept on a recent version of Duck rhythm too even though Busy Signal’s cut was really good). Maybe a round up of all recent re-licks would be in order.
Are there any others I should look at? Please leave comments…
sounds like i missed a good night
Can’t recall any brand new relicks apart from those mentioned and those you’ve written about lately.
French crew Irie Ites has done a version of Su Su Pon Rasta though. This was released in March. Vocals by Naggo Morris and Trinity. The riddim is very close to the original. Same crew has also done redone Strange Things and done a very good job IMO. This was last year though.
Nas & Damian Marley have a version of Land of Promise by Dennis Brown/Love Fire by Aswad on the new album Distant Relatives. Tough version.
I’ll see if I can dig out anything else.
Junior Bapp rules big time. Best tune on the mix by miles!
unforgettable night! big up tightenupCREW
Keep `em coming , Tim .
# 73 – Live like a king is currently available on Lynn Tait & the Jets Anthology
This “greatest Rocksteady list” is well nice ! -good work
i’ve been trying to get hold of this film for over 10yrs, i know many people will be pleased to see this released.
lovely mix my friend, if any one no about a music den listen up .if ur young den listen up and no were it a com from..SEEN!!!!!RESPEK TIGHTUN UP CREW….. comin from an old brixton soldier.. easy!!!!!!
Tim, I think that there is a problem with the first two links. The third one is from the may night but the first two are from prior shows I think. Could be just me. Thanks.
Thanks for pointing this out Laurie – I’ve corrected these now.
Tim
Where and when will the next dance be held?
Hi Jah Love
It’s next Sunday – full details here:
http://www.dancecrasher.co.uk/blog/tighten-up-2/trash-and-ready/
Thanks
Tim
I am just preparing a Collins Down Beat special for Radio Jamaica. Thanks for introducing the new Collins Downbeat 45s! Just a note:
CR013A C.C. Collins & Owen Gray – Still Of The Night
uses the backing track of Glen Adams´ “King Sized” (CR0010)
CR15A Owen Gray & Dudu – I Will Be Waiting
is another “Grab A Girl” cut I think.
Track list:
1. Dread Dub Plate – Lee Perry
2. Lama Lava Mix One – Augustus Pablo & The Upsetters
3. Groove Dubber – The Upsetters
4. Groove Rider – The Upsetters
5. Jucky Skank – The Upsetters
6. Chim Cherie – The Upsetters
7. The Rightful Organiser – Lee Perry & The Upsetters
8. Stagger – Lee Perry & The Upsetters
9. Big Neck Cut – Lee Perry & The Upsetters
10. Zeal Of The Lord – The Upsetters
11. Dub Of The Lord – The Upsetters
12. Returning Wax – The Upsetters
13. Bush Dub Corntrash – Winston Wright & The Upsetters
14. From Dub Four – Clive Hylton & The Upsetters
15. Roots Train Number Two – Junior Murvin & The Upsetters
16. Locks In The Dublight – Lee Perry & The Upsetters
17. Moonlight Version – The Upsetters
18. Dub History – Carlton Jackson & The Upsetters
19. Living Dub – Keith Rowe & The Upsetters
Apparently this is made up of mixes made for sound systems, Pressure Sounds don’t explicitly say that these are old mixes so it will be interestig to see when these were done.
The DOlly – Trigger Happy is the BURNER!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah it’s a great tune. It’s a shame they didn’t include the Studio One version of the Tonight rhythm – I need that Eddie Constantine cut!
‘Let Them Talk’ by Ranny Williams and George Regent was issued on the British Junior label in ’69 as by Anthony King. Do you know which, if either, is the correct credit? I am just curious to know.
All the best
have been wanting to know who sung ‘reggae a go go’ for years ! another tune from this period is Earnest Wilsons private number which allways sounds as if the tapes been run slightly too fast , great tune none the less.
Ahhh Yes….The K Vibes – Frenenemies on the same Coxsone Tonight riddim should not be sneezed at as well!
UK Guardian obituary: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jul/12/sugar-minott-obituary
Hi Donald
Thanks for spotting that, I’ve got that Junior single but never made the connection. I’d always wondered about the Anthony King credit as 1)never heard of him 2)there is more than one voice on the tune. My guess is that the Ranny Williams & George Regent credit is more likely to be correct but I don’t know how Trojan had the tune (master tape or pre?) and how they got the credits. I’ll try and find out and will report back.
Tim
thanx classsic tunes
RIP!
Dear Tim! Your feed isn’t working properly, I’m afraid. E.g., this news doesn’t turn up in my reader. Best, MoW
Thanks for letting me know – this seems to date back to an upgrade I done mid June – I’ll get on it.
Tim
Neither sample link seems to work for me…
Greetings Tim, Trojan included quite a few nice extra tracks on their CD reissue of ‘Tighten Up Vol 1’, a lot of which sounded like they came from tape. One of those tracks was ‘Rent Too High’ by Ranny Williams and George Regent so maybe ‘Let them Talk’ was from the same tape? In any case, it’s great to see tracks like these see the light of day!
Hi Andrew
Sorry to hear that – the sound files are on a flash player, do you have flash on your computer?
Tim
quite agree there, fantastic tune. when I first heard it I thought it was straight from the 80s!!!
Riddim by RAGGATTACK !!!!!!
Big Up
Also available from Dub Vendor, Dub Store, and Ernie B.
Very good idea to have someone in the know add some perspective and common sense into what sometimes seems as hysterical as the stock exchange. Mr Barrow can hardly complain about the prices Mr Brooks fetches for him..The Clifton Gibbs ‘Brimstone & Fire* he sold 2 weeks ago went for around 400 $. I bought a copy some months back for 60$, both EX+. Ease up people. The scent of Steve can’t be worth THAT much.
About the added intro, is this just a alternative cut or something that was added many years later? I really prefer the intro on the Moodisc reissue.
Hi Prince
I’m really glad you brought this up – I’ve just listened to both versions (on youtube – I don’t have the repress). Most interestingly even without the intro the repress is quite a bit longer than the Fugitive issue (over 20 seconds), therefore assuming the Doctor Bird issue isn’t also longer which I doubt but can’t check at the moment, then the Moodisc reissue definitely comes from the mastertape and i’d have to say it’s fairly likely that the intro is also on there too.
This is all conjecture of course but I’m really glad to have spotted that the repress is longer – I’ll have to go out and buy it now.
Tim
And I’m glad somebody else wonder about these things.. The only thing that speaks for owning the orginal press is that the Fugitive label is so much better looking than the Moodisc repress. And of course that the orginal lick of the Lecturer-riddim is on the other side. Swap my repress for the original? ;D
Hi Tim,
I have only just discovered the Dancecrasher website and am hugely impressed at the labour of love it represents. The Rocksteady countdown is a great feature which has kept your correspondents on the edge of their seats for a couple of years. I like the way you play it out gradually. It’s not until you are finished that anyone can complain about their favourites being left out. I am looking forward to seeing “Inez”(in the top ten),”Soul and Inspiration”(Hamlins), as well as “Sad Movies” all featuring.
Keep up the good work. It’s an informed and thoughtful site for those of us who love the music
Regards,
Bernard
Hi Marni
Yes, I wouldn’t begrudge Steve or Bob as they’ve both paid their dues and deserve a return – exactly why people would wish to bid significantly more for these tunes is still a mystery to me though. That said I’m not sure if Bob and Steve are the only sellers on ebay that attract consistently high prices in comparrison to everyone else but this is perhaps te most extreme example.
It can be a mystery sometimes but there are certain records that I want that could be considered ‘gap fillers’ that are not neccessarily great records but I might be willing to pay a high price for that reason. Perhaps that is what happens here. All the best.
An interesting look at some recent activity on Ebay. The good news is that there are still plenty of good value records to be found on Ebay.
For example, I saw a very clean copy of Uhuru’s ‘Folk Song’ on Top Cat go for about £25 very recently. Not only is it a great record but it’s also really hard to find on the original Jamaican pressing. Someone got a bargain!
You can follow the exhibition on twitter – http://www.twitter.com/SkaWithLaurel
I have a caltone pre with the matrix number wirl bc 4553 does anyone know who it might be . I would appreciate any information that might be available . The other side has no matrix number as far as I can See.
sorry but in seeing The Caltone CAT pt 2 I discovered that it is the Tartans save a bread and (making love on the caltone pre wirl bc 4553).
Thank you for warning us about this person. It’s a pity some people abuse the system. I don’t use Ebay myself but obviously a lot of collectors do.
“It’s hard to understand why Carlos does this all this” – what’s really hard to understand is why eBay, after repeated complaints from UK dealers, hasn’t shut this cretinous asshole down.
Bim and Bam, the Jamaican comedians do not seem to appear on this programme – were they there as a supporting act? If not, does anyone know when they did appear? They were on a Jamaican music programme at the Empire Pool Wembley in the second half of the 1970s.
Firstly I wonder if it’s that difficult to understand, eBay only benefits from this eventually if they are as they have been for some time trying to push everyone into selling and therefore buying using Buy It Now and not auction.
Secondly, it’s not just Late 60s early 70s tunes getting ‘overed by the Mexican treatment, it’s happened on a number of recent autions on Jamaican 78s that I’ve been part of, and he’s screwed up royally.
dub records = diapers.
oh the joy of being a parent.
Likkleting. So the diapers aren’t trophies as well then 😉
T
One word ‘excellent!’ Thank you for the hard word you put in to making this happen.
Can’t wait for the top 20!
Tewari’s Downbeat label started in 1953. He also had the Jamaican R C A label that put out a Tanamo EP in 1960.
Good to see that some pre-ska songs get rereleased on this cd!
I´m absolutely loving “Omara Special”. Rico at his best!
Is that a Pinchers tune at 21:45 in part 1 of the recording? I’m sure I’ve heard it before… What’s it called? Boom tune! Loving these Trash & Ready audios, thanks for putting them up
Hi Bionic D – it’s definitely Pinchers, I’ll try and find the title..
I stupidly missed an opportunity to meet with eBay “executives” in San Jose not long ago, so I emailed about this problem, referencing this (very good) article (thank you).
As there was no reply initially I emailed again and got this useless response from “Kristine.” Her email address is included if you want to email her/him/it.
Hello Mark,
My name is Kristine with eBay’s Office of the President. I received your message here at csme@ebay.com and I wanted to see if I could help out with this issue.
We have taken action against the accounts that we were able to locate that have been placing fraudulent bids. I will also request that this individual be added to our filters, which are tools that allows us to screen individuals based on past patterns and behaviors. However, as you can imagine, extremely determined individuals can sometimes circumvent these filters. We will do our best to keep this member from continually disturbing our sellers, but I can’t guarantee that they won’t return. If this does happen, please contact me right away at this address so that I can add any new information to our filters to help tighten them up.
As much as I would love to go after this individual in their own country, that isn’t always an option. I will continue to monitor the situation and pass along any concerns if this continues.
Please let me know if I can assist with anything else.
Regards,
Kristine
Office of the President
eBay, Inc.
Well done by Cooke. Although he credits Don Drummond for a rhythm created after his incarceration, if not after he died. Credit for “Heavenless” belongs to trombonist Vin ‘Don Drummond Jr.’ Gordon.
Good call Brian – I missed that.
Amazing web site! Glad to read a bit of ebay report 🙂
Web site added in favourite! Compliment for the super interesting content
One Love
Jacopo
Hi,
Im looking for a records for my dad, He really like studio one. Has done for many years!
I am looking to buy him a record bu i am unsure of what the best/rarest records there is. Any ideas?
Thanks
Matt
Ahhh…there is a KILLER Tullo T pon that riddim called RAGGAMUFFIN!
OK – I want it!
i still remember when few years back i felt crazy to pay 40/50£ for Walyn Rickets – Jah Is My Light & Glen Richards as Jah Glenn – Dread In A Babylon
them can be rare but i couldn’t belive to see that price…expecially in VG conditions!
Nice weekly piece.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HORACE-MARTIN-Give-Me-Vives-roots-12-MUSIC-TRACK-/290475626880?pt=UK_Records&hash=item43a1b25180
That one always gets to me. Really average and boring tune that pops up frequently.
Still listen to those mix very often, I love them ! Have a question about 1 track. The last one from the part 2, I understand it’s announced as “the Renegade” from “the Zodiacs” but after a search it appears that this track is in fact some ska… Can u please, please (please !) tell me the good band and title of that sweet old reggae melody. Thx you !
Hi Mateo
It is the Zodiacs, this rocksteady cut is a Merritone production and as far as I know only came on a blank. It’s usually called Renegade but Roots Knotty Roots calls it Walk On By. It’s on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GIzlnjYqnE
Thanks
Tim
Just bought a repress of the Zodiacs tune, on wirl, from enthucol on ebay.
Hope therei s plenty of boxes they will go faster than a rocket
I would appreciate any help I could get . I have a scmw005A AND smcw 005b
might anyone know the title . One side is with gene rondo if I am not mistaken . Thanks Again Lucien Sulloway
Hi Lucien
The a side is : THE INVADERS -AFTER A STORM (aka ‘BEYOND THE DARK CLOUDS’) I can’t help you with the B side I’m afraid. I got the information from the Pama forum – http://s7.zetaboards.com/PAMA_FORUM/topic/8126696/3/
Thanks
Tim
Recently got a CD called ” Cool, Cool Rocksteady ” which features loads of the tracks listed above . All in superb quality , btw. Not very often that you get ” multiple version ” Rocksteady tracks . Recommended , imho , for the non vinylites !
Yes family, pls tell more about tune called Nothing Come Easy from Cornel Campbell. I have the same tune but on tempo riddim from Dub Chemis(JA). What is the name of the label who release this tune on other riddim.
PLS add play list.
Bless.
Ok, i found this tune – 12″ Live & Love Label. Big tune !
Not the first time Pepper Pot has been re-issued, at least not here in the UK – I have a facsimile Randy’s issue of this from about 10 yrs ago (?) with a great Jackie Mittoo version – ‘Walking Trouble’ – on the B-side. Like you though, I’m puzzled at such a short pressing run, especially given the popularity of this ‘Skinhead’ genre. I wonder if Carlos will be getting himself a copy?
Easy, any idea who’s distributing this? Thanx.
The idea that raggae histories all come to a sudden halt with the ragga explosion of the late 1980s and beyond is not all together accurate. The Rough Guide To Reggae by Steve Barrow and myself included a chapter on this very subject (as well as sections within the UK and US chapters). Included in the last updating of the book (2004) are such figures as Admiral Bailey,Chaka Demus, Lieutenant Stitchie, Major Worries, Courtney Melody, Cobra, Cutty Ranks,Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Tiger, General Degree, Wayne Marshall, Red Dragon, Super Cat. Vybz Kartel, Elephant Man, Ward 21 – in fact everyone of importance in the field up to the date of publication that we had space for!
Further to my last message, here’s my own pick of the ragga tunes (for today, anyway):
Murder Dem, Ninja Man, Steely & Clevie
Fade Away, Little John, Taurus
Champion, Buju Banton, Suite 56
You Nuh Kotch, Terror Fabulous, Mad House
Ragamuffin Selector, Chicken Chest, Oneness
Dangerous, Conroy Smith, Redman
Tour, Capleton, African Star
Miss Ivy Last Son, Bounty Killer, Uncle T
Screechie Across the Border, Courtney Melody, Stereo One
Trouble Again, King Kong, Jammy’s
Zim Bam Zim, Sanchez, Vena
Run Down The World, Nitty Gritty, Jammy’s
Boops, Super Cat, Techniques
Poco Man Jam, Gregory Peck,Steely & Clevie
Retreat, Cutty Ranks, Steely & Clevie
Young Gal Business, Chaka Demus,Skeng Don
Respect, Shabba Ranks,Shang Muzik
Natty Dread, Lieutenant Stitchie,Stereo One
When,Tiger,Steelie & Clevie
Nuh Tek It Up Back, Cobra, Sinbad Productions
Bandlero, Pinchers, Jammy’s
Think Alcapone’s cut to How did you know Rub up a daughter is on Mr. Gray’s original riddim as you can hear Mr. Gray sing in the background. The High School JA-pre-release’ matrix bears the intials GR…
Bless!
Oliver
I tried to see the full article/chart, but without any luck. After clicking “check the full article here” above I found myself on a site devoted to various forms of dance music but with nothing (I could find) on Ragga. I’d still like to see it, so would appreciate any advice as to the next move after getting on to the site…or has the article been removed?
Very nice review. I enjoy this set a lot. Thanks / Erik
Hi Peter
Thanks for the comments, your compeltely right about you and Steve’s Rough Guide of course, unfortunately most other publications haven’t been so inclusive.
The article is still there on FACT though the graphics and youtube links are all gone now: http://www.factmag.com/2009/05/13/20-best-ragga/
Thanks
Tim
Thanks fir the link. I’ve now read the piece had no argument with any of your selection – or comments.
Cheers
Peter
A great mix – but is part 1 still available?
A great dancehall selection = but please provide a playlist!
Did you saw what should be released by Dub Store in December 2010? Merritone! I wonder wahts that will be – I hope for “So Weary” by The Minstrels to be reissued.
http://www.reggaerecord.com/en/banner_img/banner_113.jpg
Thanks for this wonderful ranking but i might say alva reggie lewis Revelation disserves the first place. I’m looking forward to see the top ten.
Can’t wait for the top 20 !!
Haile Bless
“Life Line” is one of my all time favourite tunes. I’m glad that it’s available again. (Have it on “Wiser Dread” already though.)
I’d like to see all these Solomonic tunes collected on a CD, but that is too much to ask for, I guess.
hi!
just had a listen to the “Max Romeo – A Dream” – PMLP 11 and noticed that the tune “The Horn” is a different cut to UN532A “Max Romeo – Mini Skirt Vision”
greetings
stefan
Just wanted to add, that “Love & Devotion” and “Build my world aroung you” are destinctively differnet cuts than the original 7″ release.
Thanks DG I didn’t notice that at all.
Does anyone know if these five tunes have ever appeared on .45 before? I’m only aware of the two by Anthony Red Rose & King Kong appearing on their “Two Big Bull In A One Pen” album, and the other three on “King Tubby Presents Soundclash Dub Plate Style”.
“Reincarnated souls” hasnt been released since ” Blackheart man”, do you have any idea if that version is re-masterized, I’m not familiar with this Label. Hopefully the quality will be better than original!
A lot of the digifans will be pleased by this set of releases, if not alone for both Dave Bailey tunes which sell for GBP 50 the least on eBay. Nice one Dubstore!
reccomendations for your top twenty include love me forever carlton and his shoes. my girl techniques, bob andy my time . let him try alton ellis .same song paragons . pretty looks heptones .tonight keith and tex .mark my word marcia griffiths .you have caught me melodians .gypsy woman uniques . real cool tommy mc cook . queen majesty techniques .swing and dine melodians .frozen soul soul vendors .once upon a time delroy wilson .hold me baby basil daley .court dismiss derrick morgan .walk the streets derrick harriott .soul food soul dimension or im and david . the last one i will leave to you . kennykool .
would like very much to get a copy. Please reply.
This sounds amazing!
Hi Roy
Thanks for the message. I”ve sent a couuple of messages and will let you know if I get a response.
Tim
Thanks for the audio Tim! I was lucky to be in town that weekend and passed through, the vibes were nice! Carl Meeks did a nice show and Deadly Dragon played a nice set, Champion killed it with a few nice tunes on the mic. Trueschool vibes as I would say!
nice film, worth it just to listen to the congos music which is a different cut to the Image of Africa album audio which was supposed to be the soundtrack, the audio in the film is just like another Heart of the Congos LP,same standards, AMAZING!! why didn’t they release this version as the LP i will never know. Congos are legendary……
Truly one of the top 25, one of the best rocksteady-anthems and the Gaylads definitive greatest tune..
Thanks Tim for posting the sounds. Ridiculous that you guys do this on a monthly basis. Thanks.
“Tide Is High – The Paragons (Duke Reid Production)
Perhaps one of the best know tunes of the rocksteady era, mainly thanks to the cover version by Blondie.”
Tosh – for those of us that were around in the 6Ts THE PARAGONS is THE VERSION – the drab old blonde was an irritant!!
1. Troy Lobban – Let Loose (Skyline 7″)
2. Mac Warner – Do Officer (Hi-Jack 7″)
3. Ashanti Waugh – Feelings (Fantastique 7″)
4. Patrick Andy – Self Control (dubplate)
5. Johnny Clarke – Be a Better Nation (Mixing Lab LP)
6. Boom Box – Gunshot (Tesfa 7″)
7. Ossie D & Stevie G – Just Be Nice (Tiro 7″)
8. Dogwood – Them Can’t Blow Breath (Rising Star 7″)
9. Aisha – War on Crack (Strickly Roots 7″)
10. Donovan – Own Soldier (Mango LP)
11. Frankie Jones – Mr. Bad Boy (Trojan LP)
12. George Henry – Jamaica Nice (Ho-Ma-Ka 12″)
13. Quench Aid – I Wish I Had a Mom (Super Blast 7″)
14. Horace Andy – Days Ain’t Brite (Atomic Bum 7″)
15. Patrick Andy – Can’t Take the Vibes (Thunderbolt LP)
16. Milton Curtis – No Evil (Spanna 7″)
17. Rod Taylor – Don’t Play With Me (Plexi LP)
18. Krystal – You Mean the World To Me (Super Power LP)
19. Conroy Smith – Ram Dance Master (Top Ranking 12″)
20. Shortie Ranks – Dance Inna Skateland (Kangol 12″)
21. Dutchman – Bally (Romantic 7″)
22. Frederick Lewis – Natty Dancehall (Jack Rabbit 7″)
23. Mackie – Thing For Love (Crat 12″)
24. Johnny Lee – There You Go (Fat Bwoy 7″)
25. Vichous Irie – Late Night Attack (10 Roosevelt Ave. 7″)
26. Yoruba – Jollification (Stage 7″)
27. Montgomery – Sensimillia (Life Time 12″)
28. Sammy Dread – Addicted To My Love (Vibrations 12″)
29. Richie Roots – Hi Hello (Bee Cat 12″)
30. C. Lestin – Mob Him Kill Him (Humble Lion 12″)
31. Sugar Ray – Jamaica Nice (10 Roosevelt Ave. 7″)
32. Super Majah – Lazy Man (Fat Man 7″)
33. Hard Rock – Them a Hustler (Hard Rock 7″)
34. Anthony Brown – Black & White History (Reggae’s Master Blaster 12″)
35. Jimmy Riley – Come Back Baby (Live & Love LP)
36. Nuthead – Bumbing Ball (Wild Apache 7″)
37. Wayne Smith – Strange How the World Is Going (dubplate)
38. Stanford Shirley – The System (Ujama 7″)
39. Flourgon – Come Mek We Go Dweet (Kickers 12″)
40. Robocop – Slave Driver (EVA 7″)
41. Bionic – Youths in the Ghetto (Don Juan 7″)
42. Michael Prophet – Liberty (Jam Rock LP)
43. Frankie Paul – I Want Her (Abraham 12″)
44. Clarence Parks – Militant Youth (Papa Roots 12″)
45. Mikey Carroll – Militant (Creative Sounds LP)
46. Flick Wilson – Two Youths Have a Quarrell (Kulumi 7″)
I’ve looked for the “7 inch auction” for a while. Does anyone know where to still find it?
There are only 4 or 5 genuine wailers/Marley dubplates. The rest of them are all frauds .There is a high chance this one is as well.
Most of that stuff is either unreleased/unfinished studio material that was somehow leaked or ended up in the public domain. Or done by the offspring of mr Marley / by Albert Griffiths from the Gladiators who is said to be a very good Bob Marley impersonator.
Hello. I just wanted to mention here that I have a list of 350 of the best reggae/rocksteady/ska songs that I have trimmed down from my collection of about 3,600 songs. If you’d like to see it I’d be willing to share. I need some help identifying the artist on two or three of the songs. Thanks for this list, and I hope you decide to correspond with me.
Thanks for the heads up on Love and Livity. his is one of them I’ve had on tape for years but couldn’t justify (to the Mrs) paying £30 plus for. Order now placed with Dub Vendor 🙂
Hi Tim,
Thanks for putting these up, I was really looking forward to it. I think though that there is a problem with the files, because when you are directed to megaupload it says the files are unavailable. Just thought I would let you know. Cheers.
Thanks Laurie. It seems that Megaupload is a bit hit and miss at the moment, if the lind doesnt work return to this page and try again. I got all the links working OK after a couple of attempts.
There was a very entertaining Keith Lawrence interview with Blacker Dread on Colourful Radio recently where ‘Sleng Teng’ was discussed. Tim P asked Blacker who played it first…..
You can listen to it here;
http://www.colourfulradio.com/presenter/keithlawrence/
..show number 75 from 24/11/2010
….Show number 74 is really entertaining too. Blacker Dread talks about joining Coxsone Sound and plays a great Bunny Wailer special. A really great show.
Yes Tim,
Wonderful, thanks. This music can NEVER die. Thanks for all the efforts….
Susi (the one and only)
This compilation CD was a perfect introduction to Lover’s Rock for a young listener like myself. Thanks for that Greensleeves!
fantasic interview, just came across this interview from clicking a few links on anther site, great job love the samples, great history, welton was never one of my fav djs, i was a big echo fan, fav tape back in the day was echo, brigg, nancy and the singers, which i still play, but i really enjoy the history, and never knew how much work he put in, it kind of links up with the small interview lone ranger did in the studio one dvd, when he talks about the he and some dj,s from east mash up a dance and he got dj for the year, was it ranger welton ringo and echo
not available in germany.. content of UMG..
does copyright count for a duplate?
i dont know..
i don’t hear any tubbys in this mix
sadly this great mix is censored for german users. But you can outsmart Youtube: Insert the Youtube URL into any proxy service like hidemyass.com and enjoy this video in your country 🙂
god so many reggae artists left us this year. Yabby You, Sugar Minott, Sonia Pottinger, Gregory Isaacs and Glen Adams. Am i forgetting anybody?
respect to all of them
Totally dig the vibes, open decks at my sessions in NC if you cats ever get out this way. ~ bless
Tim,
There’s also a false start version of ‘Can’t you see’ in a very similar vein to “royal cord” (FND 8003A). Starting “if you want to know about version you’ve got to stop at this station, right about now I give to you man called Ken boothe…..dig it”, the song runs for a minute and then pauses “don’t get me wrong, i only stopped the song to tell you this….it’s a hit, just can’t miss” then restarts.
Almost certainly done at the same time as Royal Cord and a very cheap way to re-use the Links material i suppose. I’d rather have the unadulterated version…..
God Bless Glen Adams (RIP)
Another great foundation artist left us. A big man zeen his career! Nuff chunes!!
Remember & play: Echo, Funky Skank, Looking Dread (all ClockTower) and more…
I’m glad I met him once(show with The Slackers??)
Cyaan’t be forgotten
Salute Glen !
did you know the first ever rocksteady tune was byan english group in 1964 check it out on youtube its called blue blue blue beat by the tornados scary ay .
Also check out/google Dutch artist Rita Hovink (1944-1979) De Blue Blue Beat (CNR-45/1964) on YouTube please 🙂
When are the Top 20 coming?
Cant wait for the Top 20!
yeah i’ll second that…bring it on Tim can’t wait…
Yes I 😉
Thanks For The Bad Selection
A rocksteady record very recently sold on ebay for $620.00 with the matrix wirl ry 4105 and wirl ry 4106 but the seller could not provide a name title or label, can anyone help on this?
http://www.rootsvinylguide.com/ebay_items/196085
You’ll Lose A Good Man/Soul Sufferer – I’m not sure of the artist but two great tunes.
It’s not on the website yet. Unless I’m looking in the
wrong place?
Hi Kris
Your correct it’s not on sale yet. If I hear that it is I’ll leave another comment as this is bound to sell out very quickly.
Tim
seen it up on ebay a couple of times before, always as an unknown. how about the producer initials ry, anyone? sorry for continuing a bit off topic.
was hoping this one would make the lineup. great tune. enjoyed the countdown so far. just hoping i live long enough to hear the no.1. hehe 🙂
Hi
This is released in a couple of days and is available for pre-order now: http://store.universal-music.co.uk/euro/trojan-records-desmond-dekker-dancing-time-beverleys-special-limited-edition-7-inch-vinyl/invt/0602527550145/
Tim
Double great news !
One for the crucial music and one for the people still supporting vinyl in these times.
Thanks tim for the tip and respect to the Dug Out crew.
thanks for the news, tim!! 😀
(love your site big time)
Thanks Tim. I ordered one a couple of days ago. Keep up the good work with the site.
Hello, hope i’m not boring asking for another of those great tunes, but what is the one at 25:40 on the part. 2 ? looks like Toots & the Maytals but can’t find something related on the web… Thanks a lot !!
greeting,i am danny coxson the singer,also producer and song writer of the songs you are playing,president botha and hustling…please contact me………bless..
my e.mail ..jamaicancoxson@yahoo.com…my web site…danny”artist”coxson
link me…1876-2832043
Hi Matteo
Your correct it’s the Maytals. Tune is called She’s My Scorcher.
All the best
Tim
Thanks Tim, you rock !
will we ever see the top twenty ?
yes yes! excellent selection. can’t wait for the rest
lovely tune, great selection tim!
if this one is #21, what’s gonna be #1 ?!?! 😉
keep it up!!
all the best from vienna,
Patrick
hi from mexico!!!!!! cheers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75913636@N00/5435584673/in/photostream/
The great Dennis Alcapone, next to legendary Ken Boothe and Mr Dave Barker at Reggae Brittania at Barbican. Documented by UK Pogus Caesar.! What a line up!
thank you for that wonderful ranking. Bus dem shut 20 th position, I can’t wait for the first ones. But i think you should reconsider alva reggie lewis revelation and consider zoot simms see them a come. anyway appreciate the work.
not to mention, peter austin- your love
Great sets from both selectors. Thanks for sharing
Keep `em coming , Tim ! Any more minor key menace ? Keep away from the obvious ones !!
Boom mix !!!!!!!
check ebay, if you want repress then lots about
you can’t go wrong with the heptones
… at the end of march (28th of march) the new Jammy’s come out if I’m correct. Really great releases indeed.
Great stuff, for the most part at least! A few that deserve their place alongside these, in my opinion at least, include the following (all compilations/one riddim albums unless otherwise stated):
Dance-Hall Fever! Volume One, Y&D
Die Hard Pt. 1: Cutty Tanks & Tony Rebel, Penthouse
Digital B Presents Kette Drum, Digital B
Electrocutioner Phase 1, Jammy’s
Ini Kamoze, Island
Live & Love: Frankie Paul, Jammy’s
Further East Volume 1, Jammy’s
Mambo Taxi, Taxi
Mercyles Bad Boy: Cobra, Sinbad Production
Miss Ivy Last Son, Champion
Momay Man Skank: Half Pint, Jammy’s
Musical Confontation: Nitty Gritty & King King, Jammy’s
Muslim, Xterminator
Penthouse Cultural Center, Penthouse
Propecy: Capleton, African Star
Riding West, Jah Life
Rough & Rugged: Shabba Ranks Vs Chaka Demus, Jammy’s
Sara: Frankie Paul, Jammy’s
Sin-Bada Then Them, Sinbad Production
Top Temn Sound Clash, Uncle T
Turbo Charged: Nitty Gritty, Jammy’s
please release the whole thing,, night was to bad!!
Thats all that was recorded – sorry!
Ah thanks any way! Great night!!
Excellent, Excellent interview of my favourite Reggae artist. For years, many of my friends and other associates were giving plaudits to so many reggae artists and seldom if at all, the name Cornel Campbell barely got a look in. I have seen my favourite artist on a few occassions and each time he gives a polished, refined and sublime performance. His falsetto voice is music to a joy to the ears and he has been recording for 6 decades!!! What a feat. I have at least 15 Cornel LPs and over 75 singles 7″ singles from the great man.
We view the same outlook on life and hearing that we share the same astrological sign (Saggitarius), is very compelling.
My favourite Cornel song is “My Confession”, with “Make Hay”, “Pity The Children”/Power Pressure” (same rythym!!), “Stars”, “Blessed are They”, “I Am The General” all the “Gorgon” songs,”Girl of my dreams”, “Queen of the Minstrel” and “You are so Real”, hot on its heels.
Will Cornel ever get the worldwide recognition away from die-hard fans? Somehow I doubt it. One thing is crystal clear, The man is Master of his craft, and I will endeavour to keep the Cornel Campbell bandwagon rolling. Just like his 1973 smash; “Let The Music Keep On Playing”, Cornel is and will ALWAYS be one of The greatest singers Jamaica has ever produced.
The RUNAWAY SLAVE, LONDON, ENGLAND
Big ups to the Tighten Up crew !
Been following the site for a while, really great stuff. Next time I find myself on your side of the pond I will be sure to check out your night ! Many days rocksteady is my favorite genre of Jamaican music and this site has been a very important resource for me.
Keep up the serious works.
Thanks for sharing these!
soon come say chin at personal facebook!!!
There is also a double CD set coming out, Columbia/Legacy is putting out , it’s a re-release of his first 2 albums, Legalize It & Equal Rights, that includes demos and dub plate mixes. It comes out on June 21st if I am correct…
The strangest thing I’ve ever seen.
impressive!!
ROOTSBLOGREGGAE support Ray Hurford’s publication since many years…
CHECK OUT THE ROOTSBLOGREGGAE SHOP!
http://www.rootsblogreggae.com/shop
one heart
jahgreg from ROOTSBLOGREGGAE
This single is currently available in the Trojan shop – very few copies are left though so move fast if you want one! http://bit.ly/f1JakB
Freedom Ska is an entirely different tune from Freedom Sounds and a Randy’s production of McCook & The Skatalites.
Freedom Sounds is a Tommy McCook composition, credited to him on original release, on first Ska Authentic V/A LP. So whence Roland?
May be replica C & N label but not replicating or re-issuing an original release. Everybody was paired with “Heartaches”, also by Norma.
Thanks Brian. I wrote that in a rush and didn’t check it properly – the error is corrected.
Since Ken Khouri was born in Jamaica, doesn’t that make him a Jamaican businessman of Lebanese heritage?
It will be a crime when material such as “So Weary” is reissued and the writers, Lennox Robinson and Mikey or the late Geoffrey Chung, are not paid a publishing advance, or anything.
Hi Brian
Thanks for the input Brian, sorry if the comment about nationalities was a little misleading.
I’m afraid I’ve removed the download link – unless you can confirm that the rights holders have authorised the downloads in which case I’ll happily reinstate it. I’ve consistently argued against unauthorised downloads and whilst I appreciate the ground may be shifting under me on this point but I feel that they harm the reggae music business and I don’t want to be associated with them.
I agree with your comment about the publishing – as long as those involved do the minimum they are required to as far as the law requires then I guess thats all we can really hope for.
Respect as always
Tim
The Kentone 7″ are great – Sharks is my favorite of those 5. Do you know more about the Merritone singles – will there be a reissue of The Minstrels “So weary”?
It should be noted that Rock A Shacka have previously released two CD’s of Studio 1 material which they later withdrew from market. Those titles, Rock A Shacka 6 and 7, were acknowledged to not have been properly licensed.
Now they appear to have altered the title of their latest 45, Freedom Sound for “Freedom Sounds” and the credit, Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites for “Tommy McCook”, likely in order to avoid paying the song’s publisher, trombonist Calvin Cameron’s Cameron Music.
So I don’t know that we need more releases like Freedom Sound, but a return to high quality, properly done Clement Dodd reissues is certainly overdue.
Sad to read about the fussing and fighting. I just love Studio One music and would like to see more releases. I have a few releases from Rock A Shacka. Like them as much as the excellent Pirate’s(!) Choice. Didn’t know that vol 6 and 7 were suspicious. Dubstore is a fine label too. I hope Dodds and the japanese companies find some solution to this.
Check the links, the first one says Tommy meets Ras Digby and the third one is not available..
Hi Prince
The credit was a mistake – thanks for pointing it out. The last part should be fine – megaupload does that sometimes, try it again in a while.
Many thanks
Tim
It works now, thanks a lot for uploading these!
I saw this video on you-tube and at 3:21,I would like to know if anyone knows the label, the song and the artist. Cant hunt it down anywhere. here is the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mLvvBulQJY&playnext=1&list=PLB955583D94FC5B41
At 4:36 you get a quick glimpse of the label(it looks very old) but that’s all.
Appreciate your help.
Soul Bros. – One Stop
Sound Dimension – Love Land
Sound DImension – Jamaica Bag
Tommy McCook – Caltone Special
Tommy McCook – Sweet Lorna
Ansil Collins Meets The Observer – In Bound Train
Desmond Dekker – Foo Man Chu
Noel & The Fire Bells – Reggae Rub
Karl Bryan – Red Ash
Roland Alphonso – Charade
Bumps Jackson – Funky In Jamaica
Tommy & The Upsetters – Lock Jaw
Jackie Mittoo – Melody Maker
Otis Gayle – I’ll Be Around
Blooblo – Loose Baby Love
Hopeton Lewis – Sounds & Pressure
Freedom Singers – Give Peace A Chance
Nairobi Sisters – Promised Land
Derrick & The Chariot Riders – Float On
Here’s the play-list,for those wondering.
Thanks Tim, sounds like an excellent session
Not strictly Studio One is it?
Check this one out, strictly rocksteady and early reggae from Coxsone, presented by King Stitt:
http://soundcloud.com/princehorror/sir-coxsones-downbeat
Err Papa Dave I don’t know where that tracklist came from but it’s not for this mix.
Prince – thanks I’ll check that soon.
It’s Chakademus & Pliers – Duty Character a take on John Holt’s Fancy Makeup.
Tim, if you follow your link to the soforito site the latest mix is a ‘funky reggae’ one with the track list above.
a shame as there’s a few on the prilous one i’d like to ID (and one i don’t think i can live without…)
Thanks Mark I thought I was going mad for a minute… The direct link for the Perilous mix is http://sofrito.co.uk/mixes/perilous-studio-one-45s-selection.html still no tracklist though!
That’s really a great record, hadn’t heard it before.
Since the Jamaican “writers” have already ripped off whoever wrote “Ferry Cross the Mersey”, isn’t it kind of a moot point? Who is stealing from who, exactly?
Re the Paragons tune and label… Supertone was a very large sound out of May Pen, Clarendon. I wonder if there was any affiliation with these Paragons releases? Perhaps he helped finance the recordings, etc.
Message Of Old came out in Jamaica on the Muzik City label as well as a blank. A very rare tune on JA press, especially with a label.
I love the Higgs/Boothe duets, on my personal top ten would be “You Hurt My Soul”, the only flaw it has is being too short.
That’s a good point that Al makes. Not that 2 wrongs make a right of course, but Jamaican music is full of instances like this. I’ll be interested to see other points of view on this matter.
It’s difficult to tell from an MP3 but to me this sounds like it was mastered from a clean copy of the vinyl, not from master tape. If it appeared on a Coxsone LP the tape should be around, so I’m not so sure about your comment on the quality? Yes the label looks nice but that is the easy part. Is Coxsone Jr a full or half-brother to the other siblings? If he was Downbeat’s “jacket” as they say in Jamaica, that might explain some of the animosity. At any rate I’m on Junior’s side as he seems like the one most interested in actually getting the music out there, the rest of the Dodd family hasn’t done much since Coxsone Snr’s death.
I’m still looking for a sound sample and label scan for this but thanks very much for the info anyway Stefan.
please send me a mail and i will reply with soundfile and scan of the ‘BIG L – MUSIC BOX’
I am Roy Wilson.I am not dead.I live in Florida West Palm Beach.Everyone thinks I am dead,or they don’t know where I am.I am still alive and kicking.
I have been reading about the “Bootlegging” of Studio One music with great interest. The Artists/Singers compensations or lack of are not even mentioned. Carol Dodd, who is now managing “Studio One’s” massive catalogues and re-issues have never paid the Artists for their work. She is a thief who steals our music, re-issues them, claims publishing rights unlawfully…she is now calling others “Bootleggers?.”
Regarding Tommy of Rockashaka, he needs to cultivate some professional integrity and stop stealing our music and start paying us for our work that he releases.
He just released “Skatalites Freedom Sound” backed by my tune, “Everybody Loves a Lover” (Norma Fraser)..I have not been paid for that Tune and I want to be paid.
Tommy of Rockashaka Label let me hear from you real soon or I will take legal action against you.
Many thanks for the comment Norma, it’s great to hear from you.
If you don’t mind me asking what was your arrangement back in the 60’s with Studio One? We’re you paid a flat fee per tune or did you have a contract that promised royalties?
Thanks
Tim
Thanks for the offer Steffan but I’ve got them now. Thanks again for the info about this.
Anyone know the name of the last track in this mix and who does it? Thanks in advance and thanks for bringing this mix to our attention Dancecrasher crew.
Prince Buster must have a very hefty catalogue of recordings that many of us would lap up if they were to be released. I gather there is a reluctance on his part to licence release for financial reasons but surely he must realise that in a few years they come out of copyright so he makes no money at all if others have access to the catalogue. Is there any news of progress?
There is a relatively paltry amount of Prince Buster material on CD at present. Which are the must haves?
Roy Wilson – if you read this please contact me at dancecrasher.co.ukATgooglemail.com
Bernard – exactly, there is a decent CD’s worth of Busters earliest productions that goes into the public domain next year. And year by year it will only get better. I fear if he doesn’t act very very soon there will be little left to licence – still he is supposed to be ill – maybe he can’t do it at the moment even if he’d want to.
Thanks Oliver – you’re right of course.
Tim
Big selections Perilous! I will ask him about the name of that last track Andrew…
While I’d hope that these are “fully licenced and legitimate”, Phil Enthucol concedes that they’re sourced from vinyl.
So, what’s best of knowledge?
I have to wonder when label credits producer J. Johnson and Sir JJ was named Carl!
those colored vinylbrings back memories.Roy
Hello,
on the recordsleeves on the Dubstore-homepage you can see the program of twenty Merritone-singles.
Anybody with secure information if there will be another twenty?
betterdub
Hi Betterdub
Check this page: http://www.reggaerecord.com/en/content/federal/index.php#detail_merritone
Tim
Thanks Tim, I’m too fast a reader it seems!
Well the Batman release is a bit confusing as I thought it was a Randy’s tune. Been out of a 10 inch back in the mid 90’s on a Randy’s label. I first hear Bob Brooks play this tune at a selecter’s clash almost 19 years ago and it flattened the dance big time before Asher G ripped it off the turn table for some reason.
I was led to believe there were only three copies in existence or that might be some myth to add mystery to the tune.
Bless, thanks Sam
Gonna be bad!!!
There is definetly more than 3 copies and it’s 100% certain (confirmed by Keith Scott and Sam Mitchell plus I’ve seen the original label) that it’s a Merritone tune.
Thanks for that MoW, perhaps Randy’s Group were that band that recorded it for the Merritone label. Great side.
I don’t think there was a connection Prince Andrew, the 10″ Randy’s issue was unauthorised.
Thanks Tim P, that’s interesting. You learn a bit more all the time.
What does interest me is that for an up town sound and label Merritone could put out some pretty tough sides.
From what I know there was no direct connection between the sound system and the label. The label took the name from the sound because it sounded good and it was probably a mutually beneficial arrangement. Val Blake started the sound, which was then taken over by his sons. Ken Khouri who owned Federal started the label and was the money man production wise the real work was done by Keith Scott and Sam Mitchell.
What happened to compilation CDs? I’d rather get a CD (or two) for £10 (each) rather than paying £10 for each single.
I wrote an article about Merritone for Big Shot #6 and I think I found some loose connection between the sound and the label, but embarassingly, I neither remember nor do I have a magazine with me at the moment. Will have to check!
According to Paul Khouri, the name was rented from the Blake family.
BTW, On test pressings, How Soon is paired with an add’l take titled part 2, Born to Rule is paired with Sai Pan and We Were Meant To Be has acapella version on flip.
Big Shot 6 Merritone piece appears well done, although still awaiting translation of last 2 pages by a Dutch friend! Would you have it in English?
I’m sorry, I don’t have it in English. Of course I would’ve translated it as well, but I don’t have access to the piece at the moment. Sorry!
How’d the 45 shoot out go? Will there be some audio put up? Like the attitude in the piece written about the contest.
Hey Tim, thought I’d let your blog viewers know that there is an interview on Bigmikeydread Reggae Radio with Phil all about this release.
Hey and Roy if you are reading this again, PLEASE CONTACT TIM, We are all big Higgs and Wilson fans!
1-18 rocksteady tunes?
I used the tracks from the Zodiacs, that i discovered here thanks Tim, in a special rocksteady mix… Sugar !
Born To Rule & Sai Pan were originally flip sides so that one is correct.
Hello,
and who was part of the Merritone players, besides Lyn Taitt?
Many thanks Tim, have been waiting in anticipation for this and sounds don’t disappoint. Listening to part 1 and those studio 1 instrumentals are great + the flute version to Door Peeper, top class
Great stuff Tim, what a night of tunes that was. Thanks for putting the recording up.
Thanks for uploading Tim. It sounded like a really great session.
Not sure when this was stated, but I’d love to see the top 20. Really nice series.
Now updated with streaming versions of the files in case you don’t want to download – enjoy!
I am a fan of this period, unlike yourself, and am fortunate to have most of the records, but it is the sort of organized compilation that the music needs. Not the same old tracks over and over. By the way, if I ever meet you, I’ll slip you some money for the website. Am just relucant to use my credit card for such a purpose. Cheers
superb that you had to forsight to record this tim. still cant get enough of it. does anyone know what the tune is at 39.05 on part 2 (where were you…..). i think i should know…but i dont. anyone???
Many thanks for this one tim,i was away when the session happened and been waiting for this with baited breath!!
Can’t see anyone playing the first disc ever, why bother doing it
Turn it on its head if you were newly discovering reggae, that disc might be enough to get you to buy the box and broaden your horizons via the other four discs, not all purchasers are seasoned collectors like most if not all on DC
Trojan combines some obscurities with the well-trod path in an attempt to get both collectors and newbies to buy the product. I’m definitely going to pass.
Lord Koos – Trojan have done this many many times but this compilation is hardly like that and does dig alot deeper. If you don’t buy that’s up to you but it may be your loss.
MUZIK KINDA SWEET BY POGUS CAESAR 1st – 30th October 2011
The British Music Experience at O2 presented by the Co-operative, in association with OOM Gallery will be showcasing an exclusive exhibition of 38 rare photographs celebrating legendary black musicians working in the UK.
Using a simple camera photographer Pogus Caesar followed the musicians and singers around the famous venues producing a collection that celebrates a style of black music that brings together the UK, the US and the Caribbean.
From Stevie Wonder in 1989, Grace Jones in 2009 and Big Youth in 2011, this unique exhibition documents how black music, in its Reggae, Soul, Jazz and R&B tributaries of sound, has changed and renewed itself over the decades.
Journeying from Jimmy Cliff to Jay-Z via Mica Paris and Mary Wilson of The Supremes to David Bowie’s bass player Gail Ann Dorsey, these images conjure up an alphabet of the music of the Black Atlantic.
The photographs selected from OOM Gallery Archive are also as much about the clubs and venues, as it is about the singers, producers and musicians. The Wailers at The Tower Ballroom, Sly Dunbar at The Hummingbird Club, Courtney Pine at Ronnie Scott’s, Cameo at the Odeon Cinema, Ben E. King at the Hippodrome and Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B at BBC Pebble Mill, many venues now lost to regeneration or renewal, and only recalled through memory and imagery.
http://www.britishmusicexperience.com/muzik-kinda-
Interestingly, Johnny Osbourne claimed that the Al Campbell who sang “Take A Ride” was none other than Freddy McKay.
Afraid my allocation (Over half of the entire press) of the Rulers ‘Let My People Go’ sold out within a day of arriving, Kingstonians ‘Put Down Your Fire’ is still available as its a less limited press. More JJs thriller due in due course!
Phil E
Brian, The Kingstonians ‘Put Down Your Fire’ is properly licensed, but I can not vouch for the Rulers 45 which surfaced from an undisclosed (to me at least) source in Central Europe
@ MATTHEW
I’d like to see that list, and share notes.
best,
Jon
Had to share this. Thanks Tim P.
wicked! The drop does seem heavier. Even on youtube.
Does anyone know if Wax Poetics is available to buy in the uk?
Hi Simon
The Soul Jazz shop in London used to stock it there must be others but I don’t know. Other than that you can buy online from http://www.piccadillyrecords.com
http://www.juno.co.uk/
and probably alot more. It’s not cheap I’m afraid.
Tim
download limit exceeded….darn!
Nice one Tim, im in soho tuesday ill pick it up! Many thanks!
You are spot on about this Tim. I’ve known this was coming for some time. The obnoxious Cl**f Ri****d has pushed this through for his own ends and his music establishment pals.
RIP leonard dillon,
big up for Leonard! Great artist
bless,
stranger
Holland The hague
I agree – why would you want to play dubplates made for another sound? Interesting stuff for hardcore reggae fans because of their historical importance – and I’m happy they’re released (in pristine quality to beat) – but should have been put out as a collection on CD/LP.
A bit disappointed with the selection too actually. Pretty boring set of riddims with standard boasting lyrics. Hope they will continue to put out some of the real killer Jammy dubs, but sorry not going to be buying any of these.
I have the Heptones – “I am your man” on a yellow/black Coxsone as “Give Me the Right”. Can anyone tell me if all pressings of this tune sound so horrible as the 2 I´ve had? Both looked quite good but the sound was awful!
Hi Timekeeper
I think the I Am Your Man title came n the LP’s Freedom Time and Sounds Of Young Jamaica (the latter is a compilation). Where as it’s always called Give Me The Right on seven inch. The US Studio One press with the yellow red label is a clean press and I think the black/white Coxsone one is too. I’m not sue about the yellow/black though (i guess that’s the first press?).
Tim
Hmm may have to look for the black/white press then.
I also figured that the yellow/black was the first press but early 70s Studio is a bit of a hit & miss for me.
Thanks for your quick answer Tim!
Hi Tim
You probably know but FYI ‘Summer Place’ is on the Sparkers ‘Dig It Up’ rhythm, 4th cut (AFAIK) after ‘Dig It Up’, ‘Rent Too High’ and ‘Code It’. Probably makes more sense adding this to the text than publishing the comment
Phil E
Nice one Phil. I’ll sort this when I next do some updates on this
Great piece and very insightful too boot.
Thanks for these latest additions . Keep `em coming .
Nice re issue. I remember first hearing Boris Gardners version of Groovy Kind of Love at a selecters clash in London about 20 years ago and it got a huge forward. Everytime I’ve seen that record for sale it goes for between $200 and $300 US. My only wish with the reissue is they should have kept the soul tune on the B side of Groovy kind of love as it’s well nice. Rocka Shacka do it again, nice work.
I don’t know where moon dust comes out of, but there was a third wave ska label out of new york in the nineties called moonska records. I believe it was run or funded by some of the Toasters. So I wonder if this is related, as the moonska label put out a fair bit of modern skinhead stuff at the time.
Cheers and thanks for all the downloads from tighten up/trash and ready. Here in Canada we are seriously lacking.
THANKS for posting about the new Laurel stuff! Moon Ska Records was Bucket of The Toasters label. No relation at all except that one of my first releases of traditional Ska was the Laurel Aitken release on the label. and now I get to release something special with one of my heroes!
I’ve been waiting to see were Hip Hug would be place in the top 100 rocksteady charts.
Can’t wait for the no1. Better be a Lynn Taitt special!
http://www.ja45.com/single.php?id=126O824R
has it as Soul Sufferer: Orville Wood // You’ll Lose A Good Man (hw): Orville Wood
Wow Swing and Dine #18 a little low for me, but Rocksteady has never been given its due as a genre. The first music I know of to really emphasize the bassline. Add Lynn Taitt’s guitar = magical sounds that will never die.
Tim, that’s a very accurate description of ‘Garvey’s Ghost’. When this album was first released (’76 I think) it was much maligned, probably for two reasons. Firstly, it was mixed in the UK and secondly, it was mixed by white engineers at Island. If I’m honest I avoided it for many years for those reasons. I did pick up the Jamaican pressing sometime later but after one or two plays, it just sat unplayed and forgotten. It was only much later when I bought ‘Marcus Garvey’ on CD, that also included ‘Garveys Ghost’, that I listened to it again.
Finally, some 30 years later I really enjoyed listening to it. It’s true that the mixing is quite laid back but in a way that’s the album’s strength. The engineers really allow the quality of the rhythms to shine through and there are no intrusive distractions. You can just concentrate and enjoy the rhythms showcased by the sensitive mixing.
As an aside, Lloyd Coxsone was involved as an ‘adviser’ on the mixing sessions so I imagine his input would have been positive.
My advice would be that if, like me, you’ve avoided this album, pleaee give it another chance. It’ll get you in the end..it’s only a matter of time. Eventually the penny will drop!
hey , that sign the cheque is on a matador rhythm track isnt it !?
Little Things is my all time favourite, Rock Steady tune. Best of all it only 10p in 1972!
Is there anything about the companies and individuals that designed the sleeves, and the briefs they were given?
For example, Horace Ove did the Bamboo/Banana sleeves, was he interviewed? – I love those designs
Bottom line is that they cost about the same as they would as part of the limited edition singles series, but you get 7 at once intsead of wairing 7 months and you dont get to pay postage at £2 a 45 (In the UK at least) and as abonus get the box etc all thrown into the deal, how bad can it be and all on original, if you could find them all for sale mint ever it would be a mirace and even the sevn on decent copies wiould be over 20 times the price of the box set these days IMHO!
.. and Little Things is just re-issue on a top quality UK pressing (One of four 45s worth of Phil Pratt produced Caltone rocksteady just issued) complete with previously unissued instrumental next cut on the flip!
really would have loved to have the 7″ label designs illustrated as well. this actually really makes me reconsider if i am going to buy it or not…
Maybe they´re saving it for a future project? But then would there be enough label desings to make a whole book?
Sam -no there are no interviews but printers etc do get a mention. I reckon this is fair enough as it’s supposed to be a coffee table book, a bit of eye candy, not a book of interviews.
Timekeeper – I doubt they are saving it for another project but now that you mention it – a coffee table book of reggae 7″ label illustrations would be very nice!!
CLING TO ME – what a tune, puuuuure beauty.
now this is the place to do some deep research into reggae music.
top website !!
Was ‘Skinhead A Bash Dem’ anti or pro ‘Paki-Bashing’..?
Hi Art. Personally I wouldn’t have said the lyrics are that clear, to my mind they are just commenting on it rather that supporting or condemning but I’m sure others would disagree! Either way it’s a pretty rubbish tune.
Great pictures, can you put up any sound for those of us who missed it? Cheers.
My name is Ras Charles Jones. I performed with Keith is 1980 in a band called Earthworm. We performed at My Fathers Place, Tramps, Tier 3, Eighties. I now do radio at Binghamton University-WHRW. I can re reached at 607 7295526 for further info on Keith. Ras Charles Jones
The violence in Jamaica is out of control. It was no random killing, from what I hear people had been urging Riley to leave the country for some time. If you get too successful in Jamaica and you don’t have powerful friends (or if you anger the wrong people, don’t grease some palms etc) it’s easy to dead.
Regarding the Norma Fraser tune “Heartaches”, the pairing on the original JA Studio One label was with the flip side being the Righteous Flames “You Don’t Know”. The ska “Everybody” was recorded earlier…
hi tim p,
Drunken Night is a completely different tune to (Endlessly)that was released on Crab (CRAB 59)
rkr has this mistake.
thanks very much for the info Sta Press – I’ll correct this soon.
Hi,
I’ve just bought it last friday and it’s an excellent one. I confirm that there are two UK productions here :
– “Boss” by Count Sticky & The Upsetters is in fact “The Rhythm” by the Mohawks on Gas (flip side and instrumental version of “Someday We’ll Be Together” by The Marvels)
– On “Rockfort Psychedelion”, you can hear the British band The Rudies mentionned in the lyrics…
These two titles are good anyway, even if not produced by L. Perry and played by the Upsetters…
Hi,
Can anyone point me in the direction of where I could find stored copies of Black Music somewhere in the UK? Or if there is anywhere online that has scanned copies?
Ta.
Dylan
I have a fairly full set of BMJRs but am not looking to sell them. I live in Reading and would be happy to make them available to you. What sort of project are you working on?
Bernard
Hey Bernard,
I was wondering if you would be able to make these available for myself also, I am at the University of Manchester and in the process of writing my dissertation on the influence of Reggae on British society. I cannot stress how helpful these magazines would be to my work.
Please get back to me when you have the opportunity,
Thanks, Mike
Hi Bernard,
for an investigation I am urgently looking for the issue with Carl Gayle interviewing King Tubby, think it was February 1976. If you don’t want to leave the issue, a scan of that article would also be helpful.
Thanks, Helmut
Hi Bernard
I am aware this comment was posted 3 years ago, But I local to Reading and I am currently writing a dissertation very similar to the commenter here. If you receive this message, I would be forever in your debt if I could have access to your collection for just a few hours one afternoon soon?
Very much hoping to here from you soon
Many thanks
Jack
We need the final 13!
there is a version of ‘my best girl’which includes the horns and the vocals-check out heartbeats ‘duke reids treasure chest’sounds so much fuller than the original issue!
absolute classic. must be some damn fine tunes to come. cant wait 🙂
Nice one Cliff (NOT!) So all I’ve got to do is survive to beyond 70+ and hope that someone out there has the finance and ability to bring out these classic ska, rock steady and reggae tracks that the majors tend to shun (Trojan/Island via Universal are excused from that) The ironic thing is that Cliff Richard actually LOVES reggae music. He’s said so himself many times! 60’s – 70’s anyway. I can’t picture him having much in common with Bounty Killer, Assassin, Buju Banton etc lol!
So glad to see you continue this project and now I’m really curious about the top 10!
Also glad to see you continuing the project Tim. Good work! You like this side best then? It’s very nice but I do prefer the other side myself.
If Eric Donaldson, Lyn Taitt and BUNNY LEE got together to record a “Tune”! My kind of Rocksteady.
Keep them comming.
Im delighted to see you continue with this series, youre really making us wait 🙂 but come on, as nice as this song is, it doesn’t compare with whats on the other side of this single. My Conversation is a stone cold classic, evergreen and beautiful. nearly perfect in every way.
Do you honestly think Beatitude is a stronger song, or are you trying to go for the less obvious and obscure? keep up the works anyway, looking forward to the top 10 🙂
Thanks Carl, yes I do think Beatitude is better though I’d agree Conversation is the bigger tune. I’m not deliberately going for the obscure (I’m not sure if Beatitude would count as that anyway?) though in some ways less familiar tunes are more exiting than ones you’ve heard a thousand times.
And now Jah will make him beautiful !
I have both of these and I have to say that the sound is slightly better on the Trojan issue although the Baron’s is also pretty good. As an aside, the dub version used on the Trojan flip can also be found in its full length on a 1975-ish Jamaican issue of Ali Baba that appeared on Dutchess
Thanks Matt that’s good to know. I checked the dub against the one on the mid 70’s Treasure Isle (Pottinger issue) but that one is slightly different.
Honeyboy Martin emigrated to Britain,he had a record shop in Luton and had a radio show on BBC Bedfordshire.I used to listen to it in the eighties.He also carried on his singing career,mainly making big people records.You Tube has a 70’s tune “Jamaica” that sounds alot like the GB records Trojan were putting out.
Pressure Sounds have put out a great release,it fills in an important gap in the history of the music
If BUNNY LEE produced Lyn Taitt arranged and Eric Donaldson sings that would be great Rocksteady. Beatitude and Conversation is just one of BUNNY LEE’s greats latter end of Rocksteady.
OMG!! I remember this.A great way of avoiding “Nationwide” on BBC1 on a week night.It was on BBC2 at the same time.I’d just got into drumming,listening to Style,Carlie and Sly.This was an absolute god-send for me and my brother(who was learning bass).
We talked endlessly about it at school.I found the book later on and still use the material when I teach basic Reggae styles to my drum students.
The 3 presenters are still involved in music education.Dierdre writes pieces for the”Rock SChool” exam syllabus,Geoff writes for drum magazine “Rhythm” and Henry wrote a book on slap bass,that my brother studied from.
OMG!
well, i’m not sure whether I’ve let a comment before but just want to thank to the author for the superb work. though this tracks i’ve learnt a lot about rocksteady, not to mention the pleasure to discover new tracks, artists, producers… i’m really looking forward to the top ten. big up!
I’ve been following this countdown for ages, and I’m really grateful. I have discovered so many tunes I now love and cherish (I was delighted to see The Clarendonians Im Sorry and Lonely Heartaches show up on the latest Pressure Sounds release after discovering them here). I was very happy to see ‘Bus Dem Shut’ in the top ten, cos its one of my all time favourites. I love the mixture of information, label pictures and soundclips. Its been a very informative journey.
But if its truly a list of ‘greatest’ Rocksteady tunes, I do however think that there are some massive omissions, particularly of the Studio One variety, some really obvious and immortal tunes like (off the top of my head):
Dawn Penn – No no no
Soul Vendors – Rockfort rock
Alton Ellis – Im still in love with you
The Heptones – Pretty looks isnt all
Carlton and the Shoes – Love me forever
Ken Boothe – ‘Moving away’,
The Techniques – ‘Queen Majesty’ and ‘You dont care’
Hopeton Lewis – Take it easy
Keith and Tex – Stop that Train
and as i mentioned before The Uniques – My Conversation.
I know these songs are extremely well-known, but they are all beautiful and era-defining, and the basslines and riddims have been versioned endlessly all the way through to the dancehall era. It seems a shame not to acknowledge these masterpieces.
Having said that, its been more educational to read about some of these lesser celebrated jewels. And im dying to see what the top ten will be!! please dont make us wait too long 🙂 🙂
peace
Ive just noticed that 3 of the last 4 songs i listed are in fact featured in your countdown….I should have double checked before i posted the last comment, i was writing off the top of my head. The main point i was making was that your Top 100 has been a pleasure to follow (despite what i would consider as omissions or misplacements, and a penchant for favouring the less obvious), and i have learned loads!
Thanks again
Glad to see the final countdown, there should be at least one Wailers tune in the Top 10 and a few Coxsone chunes, Hurting Inside, Rougher Yet something from Bob Andy’s Song Book would be my choice, but as you said before, it’s all a matter of personal taste. Did I mention the Call OF The Drums. Anyway, thanks for the hard work
I have been following the top 100 since I came upon the website by accident – everyone’s a scorcher, by the way. But the selection is, as stated, obviously the compilers opinion. It totally amazes me that the vast majority of the chart I’ve never heard. What were the ones like that failed to make the grade?
I’d love to see the finished article. But I’m sure that at least one of the contributing artist in this clip has passed on.
Yes, Justin Hinds has definately left us. I’m not so sure onStranger Cole though.
In 1989 when this show was broadcasted I was at my home town which is outside of the shows broadcast area i.e London mainly. Back then with no internet, hearing the show was a lost cause to me. It is with much grattitude that it has been posted up and I’ve at last been able to listen to it. Thank you. I’m just so gutted about the many other tribute shows that I’ve missed over the years.
You can read a sample chapter of the book on reggaevibes.com.
Click on the “rub-a-dub style” icon at the top of the home page.
Well worth a look.
i met a guy this week who has approximately 19,000 reggae vinyls!!!!! i went round to his place and picked up this tune (among others) after hearing it here. cheers 🙂
i can only pray that they will also do a cd compilation of this stuff.
i need “The Jerk” or “Tang tang festival song” on officially cd with good sound quality.
Wow, what’s the name of that first tune?
Raise a glass to your top ten ! Keep `em coming ….
Nice one Tim bless to the Tighten up crew Big respect to listening massive for the support and comments
looking fwd to the next one Bless PS We had Champian working his ***** off HISTORY
I always loved the sound of Harriott’s productions. His voice is so angelic. The “Dance Romeo” track with Paulette is a lost gem!
Do you know who owns the copyright to PAMA labels.
Hi John
Most of the music seems to have reverted to the individual producers – Pama turned into JetStar but with a few limited exceptions they were never a big reissue company like Trojan.
Tim
hi tim the rhythm on bitty’s brother man is “free soul” jackie mittoo
I’ve not been able to get hold of this.Is there anywhere I can download it from?I’ve tried the websites listed and her facebook page to no avail.
Was it only available for one day or have I misread it?
Hi Muzzer
It’s been put back to 30 May: http://www.bethlesser.com/
Tim
Why Is there a pic of dennis brown on the front cover and the name marcia griffiths onthe sleeve when neither appears to feature on the album? Is this some sort of tribute to coxsone’s talent for misinformation on his album covers? LOL.
Thanks Perilous – I’ve updated this
They must have been on ebay a lot to come up with this selection. No complaints here about the selection, looks good.
Agreed, very good selection.Rodigan told a story on Sunday on Kiss about going down into a basement of “Brad’s” in New York with a torch hunting for the Prince Lincoln tune, such was its rarity.
Hi Tim, don’t know much about Byfield or Matthews.Were all the tunes mixed by Scientist? And who were the backing band? Nice organ.
very happy that Tell me that You Love me is being reissued, killer tune and goes for big money!
Walk The Streets was originally recorded by Tommy Roe as You Might As Well Forget Him on US ABC (UK HMV) in 1964. He also composed the song. Enjoyed the top 100 by the way.
The Marcia Griffiths mistake is more easily understood as in the liner notes it states that the Rita Marley tune included was mis-credited to Marcia Griffiths on some of the original 7″ labels but the D Brown has me wondering. Maybe some ‘hurry come up’ layout person thought it was Johnny Osbourne.
the lord gave the word great are people who publish it rastafari love.big up yuself beth.
Nice one Ossie – we met a couple of times when you used to come to the Tighten Up club with Paul Penge Killer Coote over 10 years ago now.
Tim P
Hi.
Any infos about SC-1895-1 and SC-1896-1 (Blank on DYNAMIC) 1969/ 1970 approx.
Many thanks.
LORD.
HI Lord
No I don’t know this sorry – have you got any sound samples?
Tim
i’ll be upgrading my scratchy versions for this box though still..thanks for the nod.
Hi I am trying to get a contact for Jeff palmer to get permission to use images of Pama labels in my forthcoming book, any help would be appreciated with some free copies.
Best
I heard he is in Jamaica , and now a Pastor , thats all i know…did you finish your book yet? sounds interesting
if you havent reached him yet i think i can help
@admin: Rubbish tune??? Are you serious? In my opinion, it’s one of the brilliant ska songs at the time.
I’d just like to say that Trinity is one of the nicest and most professional people I’ve worked with. Not the only one, but still….
My respect – to him and Mrs Brammer – is total !
Steve / july 2012
Ha ha – I agree with both of you above. For us Anglos, ‘mon’ rhymes with ‘on’, so that’s how we read it. Perhaps the best approximation would be ‘mun’, atho’ that’s not quite right either.
If someone want to sell a copy: quadrophenia00@yahoo.es
cheers
Lynn Taitt’s guitar is beautiful in this one.
Thanks Steve!
Tim
I think Jimmy Hughes recorded the original version of “You Might As Well Forget Him”: Fame 1002/1963.
Cool Tim, when “Fair Deal” is #8, “Are You Ready” has to be in the top 3 then 😉
Respect,
Marc
That would depend on if i like Are You Ready more or not Marc – have to wait and see 😉
Wondering if any relation. Family is from Kingston but moved to Canada in late 60’s. Sam Calnek, nena Calnek, Janet Calnek.
I was wondering if the Progressions would be in this list. I thought the other side of that record ‘Are you ready’ was the better tune but that’s just me. I also have a feeling what might be No. 1 and if right I think it’s a suitable choice but definitely not a rare tune. Look forward to the final seven. Great work and giving thanks.
Great job tim — looking over the last 40 entries I would have chosen most of them myself, can’t argue with that!
My name is Errol Hobson, Derrick K. Hobson (The ‘K’ means Kenyute and not Keith as was previously mentioned) is my late brother who died the summer of ’78. I know for a fact that he did a few recordings with artiste such as Johnny Clarke and Roman Stewart. The tunes that readily came to mind: “Ride On Young Girl” by Johnny Clarke, and Roman Stewart’s “Love Jah and Live”. “Ride On Young Girl” was remixed and release on a 12″ Disco Mix. This particular track was released on his own label [THE BETSY original Stamma].
Great Job !!!!
For thirty four years I’d busted sweat on trying to find out who did the tune give Thanks and Praise (version) because I only heard it once, I had it on tape and the tape snapped just where the track info was inserted. Thank you Only Roots Reggae. I can now rest easy. Roll on pay day!
Hi Tim, I have a copy of BU421 on a blank, it does exist.
Hi Tim, BU507 also comes on the orange label.
Most of this tracks were re-issued before on colored Jamaican sevens. What was the reason of packing box-set with already re-issued sides? It’s a bit disappointed about this release.
P. S. Same to Lucky Seven, i have 2 copies of “Way of Life” now, one from box set and another on Japan reissue on “Flame”, wtf, only 3 years since last re-issue, damn.
It’s a great value for money package, for sure. A shame though, that the last track on CD 1 is not the 12″ mix of Roots Train, with the Dillinger toast, but rather the album mix from Police and Thieves. And hopefully a second volume will showcase some rarer tunes. That said, a very nice compilation indeed.
I think those colored vinyl issues were bootlegs Ogonkov. It wouldn’t be the first time that a bootleg has stopped a legit issue coming out but thankfully not on this occasion.
Well, i don’t know much about it. I will contact via e-mail printed on labels, and got answer, that they have license for re-issue this sides.
There’s also a new Super Ape/Return of the Super Ape CD on Trojan on the way. Includes some extended versions. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Ape-Return/dp/tracks/B008J0PS14/ref=dp_tracks_all_2#disc_2
They seem available in Sweden (where I’m from) but not in the UK (yet). On eg http://www.demonmusicgroup.co.uk/Product.aspx?ProductID=6137 it says “Please note, territorial restrictions may apply to this product.”
@Bernard @Everyone. We are the management company (Koffe an Kreem) for Kofi (ex Brown Sugar). We have set up the Wiki entries for both and are desperately looking for source references, articles, chart images, awards, photos, etc. for both Kofi and Brown Sugar.
But.. any information, etc. you could find and scan would be great. Contact info is on our website. Thanks in advance.
Hi. Excellent web site, keep up the great work. Just wondered if you knew that the latest two scratch links show ‘file not found’. Also I think that you may have missed the passing of the great Ossie Hibbert about 2 months ago.
Kind regards
Stephen
Greetings and I’m telling you I love the Peckings releases!! I play vinyl on Kool 97 and the listeners love the Peckings songs… I just can’t get enough!!I would love to get these to add to my collection:
PS 0001,0002,1001,1005a/b,1006,1007,1012,1013,1018,1020,1023,1024,1025-withDominic,1026,1030-KellyMakeda,1032,1033,1034,1044,1046,1049,1050,
1052,1056,1057,1066,1072,1075,1078,1079,ptig001,ptig002…. also “taller than them”… “struggling” and “smiley culture” (I have on cd)
Please advise asap how I can get these …. I have friends in England who travel to Jamaica and can bring them for me. Looking forward to hearing from you. Keep up the wonderful cultural work. Blessings, Michael
Hi Michael
I can’t help you myself but I’ve put this comment up and hopefully someone else will get in touch with you if they can help.
Thanks
Tim
Hi Tim,
This is still not up on the Trojan website yet and I was wondering if this was worth getting as I’ve got the Arkology set and the3 box sets Steve Barrow put together in the ’80s.Be good to see a tracklist so I can make a judgement.
Cheers,
M.
that Jimmy London tune is pure class
You’ll have most Muzzer but probably not all:
Disc: 1
1. Norman – Max Romeo, The Upsetters
2. Bad Weed – Junior Murvin
3. To Be A Lover (Have Some Mercy) – George Faith
4. Know Love – The Twin Roots
5. Rainy Night In Portland – Watty Burnett
6. Disco Devil – Lee “Scratch” Perry, Full Experience
7. City Too Hot – Lee “Scratch” Perry
8. Words – Sangie Davis, Lee Perry
9. Roots Train – Junior Murvin, Dillinger
Disc: 2
1. Open The Gate – Watty Burnett
2. Neckodeemus – The Congos
3. Rasta Train – Doctor Alimantado, Raphael Green
4. Ketch Vampire – Doctor Alimentado, Devon Irons
5. History – Carlton Jackson
6. Sons Of Slaves – Junior Delgado
7. Party Time – The Heptones
8. Free Up The Prisoners – Lee “Scratch” Perry
9. Garden Of Life – Leroy Sibbles
What a great selection !
I can’t wait for the top 5 !!
(don’t rock my boat rocksteady’s version ? the girl i left behind ?)
When do you think you’ll add more tunes ?
Thanks
new to me – and bloody luvverly! Cheers for posting it Tim
great tune! i wonder, if the flip of this record (the even better “yield not to temptation” by maurice johnson) will be in the last 6 … 🙂
Thanks for introducing many great rocksteady tunes.
Surely the origin of drum song’s bassline, is the Impressions version of the Beatles yesterday, the only difference being tempo and the doubling of the third note.
As far as Peckings back catalogue titles are concerned they tend not to repress (With a few exceptions such as Walk Away From Love for example) I have been trying to encourage Chris and Duke to repress certain titles, but to be honest there is so much unreleased stuff stacked up it is unlikely that older titles will repress so your best bet is eBay or similar. You might also wish to listen to the mix cloud page where I posted up the guest slot I did on Danny Hatcher’s internet radio show where I previewed 20 odd unreleased Peckings recordings, none of which have yet seen the light of day! http://www.mixcloud.com/Enthucol/phil-enthucol-unreleased-peckings-seelctions-danny-hatcher-reggae-show-dwr-14412/
Asked George Murphy about this and the reply I got back was that it isn’t the Tennors, but is in fact a solo recording by group member Maurice “Prof.” Johnson
Phil E
Who is also featured on the b-side with “Yield Not To Temptation”. A wonderful record, one of the top tunes in my collection..
Wow – thanks for confirming Phil!
Tim
There are two pressings of BU 406, the lalel copy is as above, but the blank couples Making Love and Greatest Scorcher, a totally different tune and in fact the fourth cut of the Another Scorcher rhythm
Phil E
yo, could we have some working links please? really need this and all i get it is babylon enforcers. bless
not sure if I’ve still got the original files! I’ll put them up if I can find them.
Yo Tim,
hit me up if you can´t find the files. i´ve still got them on my portable mp3 thingy and they still are on heavy rotation!!
btw. when´s part 2 of this night coming? tell me early, need to book the flight
Tim – I can confirm the JA Wiggle Spoon blank really exists.
thanks Alex!
Is the junior soul ‘Armageddon time’?
I like to think that the piano line missed notes in The Uniques My conversation are intended to be this way, IMHO of course! Great site!
hi!
excellent work tim
toppa toppa topppa top rocksteady 45 ! 🙂
does anyone have more infos about The Rio Grandes – The One You Love // Kepp On Moving 1967 on STAR Label ??
same label as “got to be at the paty” comes on ??
Just one thing. Summer Place by Ranny Williams: the original to that rythmn is Rent To High by Glen Adams on Trojan and not Dig It Up by the Sparkers as stated in your book. Dig It Up was itself a version of Rent To High.
Got To Be At The Party was recorded by Milton Boothe, with two members of the Progressions, who were at WIRL on that day, and volunteered to do background vocals, the producer, Miss Barnett who was not in the studio, had sent him to do the vocals on his own, but, the Progressions thought that it needed a little help,if you listen to “Fair Deal” or “Are You Ready” you will hear the similarities.More information on The Progressions can be supplied on request.
Just a Correction on the spelling of Patrick Harty.
You left Tony Russell off the list, and Rudy Mills had been a member when the Progressions were known as the Jets, recording “Fresh Out Of Love” & “Someone” on the Top Deck label. Derrick Bucknor did not make it to the “Fair Deal” session, so The Progressions were short one voice, and had to make do. Such is history.
Thanks Patrick, but this totally contradicts information directly from George Murphy (Clive Tennors). What is the source for your info and is there anymore to substantiate it?
Hi Phil. As I understand it – Patrick Harty = Pat Hardy producer of the Progressions? Hopefully Patrick will be able to give more information!
Tim
Peter spence Border & Hard Time pressure is on the “I Will Get Along Without You” Riddim
I’m A Worried Man Riddim Lady lex I don’t know why & Courtney john Worried Man.
Sorry re Courtney john Lucky man is I’m A Worried Man Riddim.
Gappy Ranks Kooyah &Ras Demo No Slackness is an unreleased Treasure Isle done by Tommy McCook.
Sparky Speaker Box is Hot Milk riddim.
Nerious Joseph Cool Dem Down, Empress Ayeola Dem Bow, Prince Malachi Just Keep Calm, Bunny True Lie Lie Dear God, Gappy Ranks Mountain Top & Jah Mali Love For Each Other is the Step it out riddim by the Ballistic Bros.
Bitty McLean Never Let Me Go & the b side same riddim which is Don’t bother me, the terrors
Taurus Riley Young Hearts Reminiscing is Make Up To Break Up riddim
Natijah Find A Way is Angel Of The morning riddim.
Sadiki Would’nt Stay Away & Lady Lex You is don’t stay way riddim
Peter Hunnigale – Body So Good,
Lady Lex – What A Difference A Day Makes
Richie Davies – Since We Broke Up
Robert Lee – Oh Jah Jah
Rudie Rass – Sweet Like Zion
John McLean – Loving You
The riddim is It’s You I Love by the techniques.
Sandra Cross Another Door Will Open is Soul Rebel Riddim
Kelly Makeda Shake It Off is love is not a gamble riddim by the techniques and not those guys.
Gappy Ranks Jah Is My Everything is Bad Treatment Riddim
Sparky – Bring It Back, Tippa Irie – Wine Up Your Body, Dominic – White Veteran, Top Cat – True Confession & Bald Head Dread Dancing Time is Nimrod Riddim by the skatlites.
Peter Hunnigale This Is Life is Evening Time Riddim.
Tesfa McDonlad Reincarnate & Rue Lloyd Loving You done by Delroy Wilson the riddim is I want to love you.
Peter Hunnigale Come Back To You is Can I Change My Mind Riddim by the late great Alton Ellis.
Kelly Makeda If, is Ranglin On Bond Street Riddim.
I never saw him but is a sad moment.
A little more info from those close to the legend on the Soundboy Corner group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/202784479855786/
Safe Travel with Lynn Taitt better be a Lyn Taitt special at No. 1
RIP Duke Gone but never Forgotten
His wake is on Friday 16/11 at Kensal Rise Socail Club. He is being buried on Friday 23/11/12 Service at St Augustine Church Kilburn 11:00am and then Kensal Rise Cemetary
What a lovely turn out 4 da 9 nite last nite I felt like I was in Jamaica r.i.p Duke Vinnie x GOOD MUSIC !!!!!!!!
May Duke Vin RIP, He was a lovely man.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Duke Vin a few years ago, I found him to be an amazing man, who knew all there was to know about music, and I remember sitting with him for hours when he came round to See my children’s father, who, we sadly loss 10 yrs (AKA Buffalo Bill) talking about music with his softly spoken cool voice.
God Bless!
RIP
Christine.
Where is this book available? REALLY want one for the holidays.
Cheers.
DH
They recently sold a batch of 20 through ebay – there is supposed to be another batch in a week or two – check the seller oldwah
Tim
is that mikey dread on the narrative on the documentary?
I have to agree that little things is a number one for rocksteady.
Hemsley Morris sings this with so so so much class.
Got mine a week or two ago – beautiful piece of work
got mine thru contacting Dave at the following email d.sandford@blueyonder.co.uk
Hi Tim
Isn’t ‘Dance With Me’ sung by Winston Samuels?
Cheers
Phil Pratt – Safe Travel – sounds like Heptones – Crying over you (Ken Lack production). I’am wrong ?
Hi Tim
I have a yellow Bullet label for the BU554B GG All Stars – Healing Dub
If you want a scan please let me know.
Bless
Soulful Music was pressed on Studio One in Jamaica. I haven’t seen the copy but I trust the guy who told me he owns it.
I can confirm that Put Down Your Fire comes as a JA pre. Same combination as the Doctor Bird. Looking forward to the top five Tim! Top clash all the way.
Top class that is!
Lloyd Tyrell’s track was obviously supposed to refer to “Doctor Jekyll,” but the people who made the label misspelled it as “Dr. Jekell,” and we as the consumers/scholars should “respect” whatever spelling the record decides to give a track, even though we “know” it’s wrong or misspelled. For example, you rightfully note both the misspelled and intended correct spelling of other Bullet releases, such as “Clea Hog” (supposed to be “Clean Hog”). So in this case, you should list the track as being “Dr. Jekell,” as listed on the label, and perhaps note in the description that it’s “supposed” to be Dr. Jekyll.
Similarly, the BU430A The Clan release which you cite as “Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye” is actually spelled on the label as “Na Na Hay Hay Goodbye”, which, though “wrong,” is the title they chose to use, so we should honor their spelling in our official discographies!
Hi Aperson
Many thanks for these – I completely agree that the listing should reflect the titles and credits as given on the original releases. For the most part I think they do however I’ve probably made a few mistakes myself plus the whole thing was copied and pasted from a now defunct pama discography website and on that the mistakes had been corrected. I’ve changed many but probably not caught them all yet.
I’ll correct the ones you mention.
Cheers!
Tim
“The Upsetters – All Combine (Part Two)” [BU461B] is just an instrumental version of Derrick Harriot’s “Solomon” (http://www.discogs.com/Derrick-Harriott-Solomon/release/1504131).
Very very interesting selection of rocksteady songs. I learned a lot – many I had never heard before.
HOWEVER, someone’s gotta keep it real, and I guess that someone’s gonna have to be me.
While I love rocksteady — my favorite genre of music, from any country in any era — and I’m always a champion of the obscure and the overlooked…well, to be completely frank, this really isn’t a list of the “The 100 greatest rocksteady tunes” (or 95 greatest so far, at the time of this comment).
If you had titled it “The 100 greatest OBSCURE rocksteady tunes,” you wouldn’t get any argument from me. Or maybe “100 nice rocksteady tunes you’re probably unfamiliar with.” But the title over-reaches, because by your own admission in several entries you are intentionally excluding many well-known songs to make room for lesser-known (or in some cases completely unknown) tracks. And while I confess I liked some of your selections, do they really stand up against some of the all-time “classics”? I think most people would answer “No” — even if some of those classics are overplayed.
Sure, musical taste is completely subjective, so there’s no “right answer” for what song is better or worse than another, but seriously, how could any of the following tracks NOT have made it to your list (or any top 100 list), especially since many of the ultra-obscure releases taking their place here really do pale by comparison:
Melodians – You Have Caught Me Babe
Justin Hines and the Dominoes – Save a Bread
Prince Buster – Whine and Grine
Glen Adams and the Upsetters – X-Ray Vision
Bob Marley and the Wailers – Them Have Fi Get a Beatin
Dynamites – Dulcimena
Velma & Clancy – Let Us Be Lovers
Desmond Dekker — 007 (Shanty Town)
Dandy Livingstone – Rudy, A Message to You
Tony Tribe – Red Red Wine
Melodians – I Will Get Along Without You
Sensations – Long Time Me No See You Girl
Termites – Have Mercy Mr. Percy
Johnny Nash – Hold Me Tight
Prince Buster – Rough Rider
Melodians – Hey Girl
Delroy Wilson – Feel the Spirit
Maytones – Loving Reggae
Swingers – Simpleton
Justin Hinds and The Dominoes – Here I Stand
Seriously, listen to these masterpieces with a fresh ear, and try to compare them purely objectively to many of the obscurities you listed in their stead — and wow, there really is no comparison. I mean, I appreciate hearing many of the lesser-known tracks you included, but the songs listed above (and those are just 20 off the top of my head — I could name plenty more) are just flawless.
(And I didn’t bother to research the release dates of all of these, so apologies if some of them fall outside the rocksteady era [1966-ish to 1969-ish, presumably], or if some particular track technically might count as “late ska” or “early reggae” despite being released during the rocksteady epoch. Overall, you get my point.)
We’re all on the same side here, and love the same kind of music, and each person is entitled to his or her own personal preferences, but I just didn’t want a “newbie” to the rocksteady scene to read this “top 100” post and come away somewhat disappointed that rocksteady itself maybe isn’t all it’s rumored to be, since many of the tracks listed here are interesting perhaps but not classics that will echo in your head forever (as many of the more well-known rocksteady tracks like the ones I listed do).
I’m all for celebrating and rescuing long-forgotten obscurities — and in a few cases those obscurities really are super-great shoulda-been classics — but those cases are rare, and we shouldn’t let our enthusiasm for rarity blot out the worthy hits, many of which earned their legendary status simply by being “the best.”
Make your own Top 100 Rocksteady list, and then maybe you’d have a valid argument. This Dancecrasher list is the work of a Rocksteady scholar, and while the selections are subjective to taste, the list is culled from knowledge of nearly every known rocksteady tune, and that’s pretty impressive. Some of this top 100 would not make my own list, but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the info for each record as it gives insight as to why the author included it on this list. A lot of these tunes I would not consider to be obscure (by rocksteady standards), and the ones that are obscure blow most of the “classics” out of the water (again, subjectively). I would MUCH rather have “Bus Dem Shut” echo in my head forever than “Hold Me Tight”!
“Aperson”, what the compiler of this list doesn’t know about rock steady isn’t worth knowing.
Your post says what is wrong with a lot of music fans, they only stick with what they know and dare not take chances with anything not familiar to them. If you like Northern Soul music too then I bet you stick with the top oldies that are played at every night all over the world week in and week out.
Your own list proves that you simply do not have a clue as six of the songs that you list are early fast reggae and not even rock steady at all!
Llghten up guys, “aperson” has good point, & it is a pet peeve of mine as well. Don’t get me wrong — Tim has made a terrific list, no one is slamming him — but there are many cases of the best music rising to the top and becoming well-known hits rather than languishing in obscurity, jealously guarded by collectors. Yet if a tune is “common” it somehow seems to often disqualify it musically as being “the best”.
Much of record collecting in any genre is influenced as much (or more) by rarity as by musical quality, and certain titles and sounds become very trendy. Currently it seems to be any rocksteady in a minor key that sold poorly or was pressed in small quantities. People give short shrift to the more well known tunes, very unfairly in my opinion. Records such as the Rulers “Let My People Go” are fawned over, even though the riddim is nothing, and the vocals are sour and out of harmony — there’s a good reason JJ pressed so few copies! Then you have popular masterpieces such as the Alton & the Flames “Cry Tough”, Desmond Dekker’s “Young Generation”, The Paragons’ “The Same Song” and the like, all of which from a strictly musical standard, completely bury “Let My People Go”. I guess unfortunately, they were good enough to actually sell a lot of copies. I dunno, maybe because I’m a musician myself, I just don’t get it. In fairness, there are also plenty of great records that for one reason or another are very hard to find, because of poor promotion, lack of funding, poor business opportunites, etc. Thankfully, much of the greatest Jamaican music is not hard to come by these days.
Hello, Aperson– I’m curious….obviously you and the person who compiled the 1-100 list are more knowledgeable than I am in these matters, but I was a but surprised that none of my favorite tunes showed up on either list. For a few examples, where would you place Alton Ellis “Hey World”, Delroy Wilson “Any Heart can be Broken”, The Heptones “Ting a Ling” and Irvin Brown “Run Come” along the Rocksteady/Lovers’ Rock/Reggae continuum? I’d be interested to see what you think.
More copies on ebay right now: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160952896294?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Jah bless whoever put this web site together,it’s very informative and it helpful in the promotion of reggae music in America.I run a reggae show
in northern colorodo and i am always seeking infomation on some of the classic old school artist i play.very comprehensive
The flipside of “At The Party” was also done by Milton Boothe, not Maurice Johnson, who as far as can be ascertained, never recorded without The Tennors, George “Clive Tennors” Murphy was not the producer, but recorded 4 sides for the same producer. So, to re4cap, 2 of The Progressions were the vocal backing for “At The Party” and Milton Boothe was responsible for the lead vocals on both sides.
The Hitones – Got To Be At The Party ???
I’m right there with you Prizefighter. Of course a list is going to be subjective. This happens to be one man’s list and he can call it what he wants. Mine would be different as would anyone else’s. What you can’t deny is the author’s love, dedication and frankly encyclopedic knowledge of the subject. It’s been a joy and I’m looking forward to the final five.
A great excellent selection, I am delighted with beautiful melodies
Superb piece mr DC
a PROPER knowledgehustler.
MAXiMUM Respect.
p.s that Roy Richards ‘Rocking’ .. isn’t it a cut of Keith Andersons ‘Feeling Soul’ ??
Good to see Reggae George being reissued and that Sonya Pottinger is a favourite of mine. How is the dub? I distinctly remember thinking that it was such a nice song that it had to be released as a single after I first had heard it and searched around for a possible single issue. Those who wait…
Bigup to Onlyroots!
Love the Novelette Barnett tune!
Boom! Not a bad shout at all.
I wouldn’t expect an instrumental to feature in the top two but this is about right for me.
All time killer piece of music
Hi Mike
Bim & Bam were on the Second Wembley Caribbean Music Festival – in 1970.
I am the then young white man introducing Bim & Bam to some of the artistes in the changing-room right at the start of the film REGGAE before the title/credits appear. Justin Lewis (Bim’s son) is writing a book and making a documentary film about his father. I am still in regular touch with Count Prime Miller, compere of the show.
Regards
Clayton Goodwin
Amongst Trojan’s best thick vinyl 7″ re-issue so far. Top notch stuff.
great list, no doubt, but here are a few tunes i would have put on the list….
yours until tomorrow…the minstrels
love me forever…carlton and the shoes
i’m yours forever…the soul lads
put on your best dress..monty morris
bye bye baby…zoot simms
tell it to me…stranger and patsy
i’m sure i could come up with more, but hands down, you know your shit!!!
Immense! Thank you for listing all these great, great tunes.
For what it’s worth, I’ve just thrown together this Spotify Playlist featuring as many of the tracks in your top 100 as I could find—currently at 60 out of the full list.
Maybe I missed a few… if anyone finds any tracks I’ve skipped, let me know in the comments and I’ll add them to the list.
Wonder how these are being licensed. Cracking re-issue programme, great tunes, great dubs, who mixed the dubs BTW?
Hi Mick – I’m confident these are legit and wouldn’t have mentioned them if I wasn’t. No idea about the dubs I’m afraid. Tim
I do rate “Lick it back” by King Stitt higher than this straight “Reggaedelic” instrumental which is a bit boring IMO. Can’t argue about taste though.
I am sure they are Tim. Only wondering because the Sonia Pottinger catalogue wasn’t sorted with various producers re-issuing titles.
Smashing stuff, only heard part 1 last year and nuff different versions there, part 2 is great and listening to part 3 now, what a night it must have been
re “Got To Be At that Party,” I think that’s been acknowledged to be Maurice Johnson, who was in the Tennors up until his untimely death. I actually think the flipside of that single is even more brilliant, but that’s how good that collaboration with Taitt was.
The Heptones “Crying over you” Caltone N°1
When is the part two taking PLace? You missed this show you might never get another session like this ever only Tighten up could of got this show from us out of respect to Tim P Steve & Champian.
so how much longer before posting #2 and then whats the break between that for the number #1. not quite killing me and got whole suspense thing going for you but theres a thin line my friend, lol, thin line. great work.
I know Phil sold a repress for over £100 which astonished me. I wonder will the Doctor Bird repress hold its values as opposed to the Ace’s tune.
The ‘Aces’ re-issue, which features a first time on vinyl ’69 reggae track on the flip, more or less sold out straight away, but as its not marketed as a limited edition a few more will be pressed, should be available again in the next ten days or so, will relist on eBay as soon as it is! 😉
In spite of the Aces issue (Which is significantly different from the Limited edition replica re-issue) the Dr Bird RE continues to sell for a premium, whist the £100-ish price was I think a freak result, the Dr Bird replica repress is still a good solid £40-50, even up to the last one I sold on eBay a week or so ago, after the ‘Aces’ issue was announced and available for £4.99, two different animals!
Did Barry Biggs take this tune a the basis for “Work All Day”? Or maybe it was the other way round? They sound very alike…probably the best thing Barry biggs ever did too. Thoughts anyone?
Enthucol – is the quality better on one repress or the other?
Got to say I really like the flip side of the Aces cut where did that appear before?
Makes no difference, in fact the Morning Sun side is pressed from the same stamper on both represses
Thanks for your input Phil.
BTW I heard a tune by Barry Biggs recently called “Homeward Bound” not a cover of the Simon & Garfunkel song, with a great version on the flip. Definitley the best BB tune I have heard.
When oh when are the final two tunes going to be named. I click on a few times week. Very interested to see what they are and wondering if they’ll be well know tunes or legendary rarities.
wicked Gents !!
I shave a number of copies available from 1974 – 1976 – 24 in all – which I am looking to sell. Feel free to contact me if anyone is interested
@Robert B.
What about the issue with the Tubby interview by Carl Gayle? If you have that one and want to sell a single issue, let me know.
Helmut
@Robert B
I would be interested in purchasing your magazines
I have the following available: 1974 – February, March, May and July
1975 – March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December
1976 – January, February, March April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December
1977 – January and February
Hi Robert, I did an interview with Carl Gayle in 1974 and i think it wasfor Black Music and I was on the cover but not sure which one…I have a copy of the picture…do you know anything about it?..I think it was Black Music…not sure…Thanks for your help
Hi Allison Cadogan – what do you want to know?
Oh sorry Robert, I am Susan Cadogan and i wondered if you knew which magazine contains the interview that I did with Carl Gayle…I was trying to locate a copy of it and am not sure which one it was in but it was sometime in 1974 and had pull out poster of me……Thanks!
Hi Robert. I was in a group called The Afro Dimension. We won the contest in London around 1976 and we were put on the cover. Do you have that copy?
with trepidation and crossed fingers i wonder if you still have black music mags for sale.i have been searching the internet for ages.thank you wyn
Greta musical hero, always sad when they go. RIP I’m, you were so great.
great stuff !!! Respect Blessings
This has been an amazing journey Mr. Tim . Most enjoyable all the way , with some absolute rare corkers that I wasn’t aware of . ( Thanks for those 🙂 ) Here’s to No. 1 , whatever it is !
Better be a Lyn Taitt special at number one. Enough obscure tracks produced and some good well known.
The extension of copyright from 50 to 70 years was designed to keep Cl**f Ri****d in more millions!
Thought you’d like to know this tune is available on Kingston Sounds ‘Rocksteady Hits the Town’ which is still available on CD and maybe in some places, vinyl. All the tunes are Bunny Lee’s. Thanks for the 99 records you’ve posted so far. What about a 101-200?
Helmut, I do have the Feb 1976 issue, but no sign of the interview you are looking for, sorry!
Robert, thanks for your answer. Seems like I got some wrong informations. But I’m sure there is an issue with Carl Gayle interviewing King Tubby, maybe you can find out. Would be a great help. Best, Helmut
ey what ever happened with hardcore ragga “the music works dancehall hits”?
I bought 2 cd’s 1988 i think and then i couldn’t find them no more. so wtf?
Yeah, because of him I’ll have to pray that I make it to 92 years old before I can catch the next release in this series. Thanks Cliff… for nothing!
I now posted a lot of 28 isues of Black Music on eBay – magazines are located in The Netherlands
A furious attack via youtube? Good one Tim. Sort of defines passive/aggressive don’t it?
Is the deejay with Fatman perhaps Roy Rankin? He does present himself as Elroy(?). Nice clip! Thanks for the link.
A wonderful labour of love Tim, finally had a chance to sit and go through your top 99 having a good read and listen. So much beautiful music and a proper education for us tunder and lightning roots collectors 🙂
Music Lovers,
I have been collecting Jamaican music since the late 1960. No disrespect, and while I understand musical taste is subjective, this “List” is hardly representative of the classic rocksteady songs produced in Jamaica.
First, if you, or anyone, compile a list of rocksteady songs and not include virtually all songs by the Melodians, the Gaylads, Heptones, Paragons, Delroy Wilson, Slim Smith, Ken Booth, Alton Ellis, Marley and the Wailers, and others, you have not even begun to scratch the surface. If you have never been to the big dance halls (Chuckomo Lawn, Champagney, Ram Jam, and others) to listen to sounds like Sir Gerorge, Prince Patrick, VJs, Tubbys, Emperor Faith, and a host of other top sounds back in the day, then you should not even attempt to compile a list, because the vast majority of the songs you cited would not make the top 500 — no disrespect.
Please take a serious listen to tracks by the Melodians (Swing & Dine, You Have Caught Me, Expo 67, You Don’t Need Me, etc. Also, Gaylads: Over the Rainbow’s End, Hard to Confess, etc.
There are simply too many tracks and artists to mention from my archive…(some John Holt classics, such as You Mean so Much, Memories by the Score, On the Beach, and many others).
If you truly want to hear some classic rocksteady, please contact me.
No disrespect.
No disrespect CarlTee but you ain’t the only one with some good tunes. This is not an ‘official’ top 100 like you would expect from the BBC. That would simply be pointless and probably impossible. Of course it will be different from your list, my list, or anyone’s list. That is the beauty of it. Why not enjoy it for what it is – a list of great tunes which has been compiled by a true lover of the music. And just because some of us have never been to Jamaica, let alone been to any of “the big dance halls” doesn’t preclude us from having an opinion on the music. I could make my own list. I choose not to. You however, given your experience in the matter, perhaps should. I will look forward to it. No disrespect.
Robin,
Thanks for the response. First, I would not compile a list of songs and refer to the tracks as “the 100 or the 50 or the 10 best,” simply because there are too many classic rocksteady songs and it would be virtually impossible for me to separate one song, or ten songs for that matter, and call it the best of the lot.
Perhaps what you should have done is to call the list you published “My (as in your)top 100 Rocksteady songs” as opposed to the title you attached to it. Everyone is indeed entitled to his opinion; however, I firmly believe opinions should advance any discourse to which it is associated; if not, what’s the point? The point here is the list contains some seriously obscured tracks, many with which I am unfamiliar (and I don’t claim to know them all).
You also mentioned in your response that you could “make your own list.” You also said it’s an “official BBC list…” and that I, instead of rejecting the list, should “enjoy it.” Perhaps the BBC should re-title the list “100 most obscure rocksteady songs.” Robin, no disrespect, I get the most “enjoyment” from listening to classic rocksteady songs, which by the way are the best era in Jamaican music history (not just merely my opinion but the view of most ‘serious’ collectors.
Let’s cut to the chase – check out some classics listed below:
Delroy Wilson: This whole heart of mine, Ungrateful Baby
Delano Steward: That’s life, Tell me baby, Let’s have some fun
Bob Andy & Tyrone Evans: I sent you
The Yardbrooms: If you See Jane, My Desire
Paragons: What you gonna do, You mean so much, Memories by the score
The Eternals – Queen of the Minstrel
The Highlights – Ten to one
Dennis Walk – Drifter
Techniques – Go find a fool
Winston Francis – Fools fall in love
Dermott Lynch – Adults only
Robin, as I said earlier, too many classics to mention, so I am going to accept your offer and compile a list, but it will simply be a list of “classic” Rocksteady songs. Until We Talk Again…
Ok CarlTee, I think maybe you should reread my post. Firstly, it’s not my list. Secondly, I never said it was an official BBC list – quite the opposite in fact. However, I will look forward to your choices as I’m sure many people will. Classic or obscure – if it’s good, It’s good. And I’m always on the search for something I’ve not heard before.
Hi Carl Tee
Thanks for the comments. The list has put together by me and not Robin. Thanks for your responses though Robin, I have to say I agree with you pretty much 100%.
Carol. There is no definitive list of the 100 greatest rocksteady tunes – how could there be? Obviously the list is biased by my own favourites, how wouldn’t it be? I always assumed that this would be pretty obvious but your not the first person to have misunderstood this so I apologise if I should have been more clear about this.
I think we’ll have to agree to disagree if you think the list is too obscure. There are more well know tunes to obscure ones if you ask me though again this will be in the eye of the beholder. Someone who is new to the music won’t know most but someone who has been buying and listening to the music for even a few years is likely to know a fair few.
When I started the list the title was meant to be tongue in cheek, I’d seen many “best of” lists about different styles of music and thought it would be a laugh to do one about rocksteady. It’s taken far too long for me to get to the point of finishing this and as a result I’ve changed my mind more than once, there are maybe a few tunes that wouldn’t be included if I started the list today but that was inevitable and I’ll happily stand by the last 99 tunes listed as great records that deserve inclusion.
I’ve always been really interested by peoples own suggestions and have kicked myself more than once for overlooking stuff that has been mentioned. So fire away if you are up to putting your own list together. I think we might disagree about what is rocksteady or not – surely the Drifter is reggae and not rocksteady? But again that’s part of the fun of it and would make for another interesting discussion.
One last point, the people who have had the biggest disagreements with my list usually end up naming tunes I’ve already included. The Paragons – Memories By The Score is certainly there for starters.
Thanks again and no disrespect taken!
Tim
Yeah Lovers Rock ¡¡
Tim,
Interesting to get your perspective on your choice of the first 99 tunes. I think it has been a terrific journey for all us watchers and listeners.
The classic v obscure debate is also an interesting one. I have not recognised a good number of your choices initially but when you have crossreferenced a compilation source more often than not I have the tune lurking on a dusty cd on the bottom shelf. Over the years we have been served well in the UK with rock steady on cd so revisiting some of these forgotten tracks has been part of the great pleasure of your countdown.
You have only one to go and I can think of a few contenders. Whatever you choose will go down well!
When you are done it would be intersting to get your list of tracks that you would have included on reflection as well as the ones mentioned by others that you are kicking yourself about!
Best wishes,
Bernard
Thank you dance crasher uk for your valuable support of the iconic reggae producer my father
SIR COLLINS throughout the years and off course the guys @ DKR
For helping the Collins family keep up a long tradition off making music that people want to hear and love
For your copy’s please contact
http://digikillerrecords.blogspot.com/2013/06/sir-collins-stop-point-7-45-rpm.html
And stay in tuned for some historic releases from the sir Collins vast music library
And for all those haters that chat rubbish on the blogs and forums regarding my fathers tracks
You don’t know nothing
And you are new to this
From a pioneer in the game from the early 50s and still going strong I give you
SIR COLLINS
Well, in my mind the list has been mind-blowing – and i’m not gonna join the list of people claiming to “know better” – there has been a superb combination of – let me put it into three categories;
1….bloody ‘ell i’ve never heard this before…how come?
2….bloody ‘ell i haven’t heard this for years – i’d forgotten how good it was
3….yes an obvious inclusion really.
The reggae vs rocksteady is so subjective and can’t just be datelined. i think a few Derrick Harriott productions of late 60’s/ early 70’s can quite comfortably be labelled (I know I know) as rocksteady. The whole thing prompted me to draw up my onwn list of 200 (I know I know) – and it’s led to stressful sleepness nights. I’m currently turning them into a 8 CD self made box set together with booklets and packaging. The things we nutters do! Thanks for the inspiration though! Utterly superb – but hurry up with the #1.
Great Job , nothing to say BUT BABA BOOM TIME … cant have forget the Festival Song … I m really sad to say … you have to do the 101 greatest rocksteady tune now ! 🙂 🙂 just kidding big respect to all the musical lovers !
and im seeing a lot of people making confusion btw 67 / 68 Rocksteady and 68 Reggay …. guys … cmon !
Ziggy,
Your self made box set sounds interesting. Licensing problems would preclude a general release, but I would be interested!
Very well done! A pleasure to follow the saga. Good to see all 100 lined up. What’s next, 100 Greatest Ska Tunes?
Well worth the wait. Thanks a lot Tim. Excellent work. Looking forward to your next project … please!!!
Respect to you for making it happen. It has been a very long slog I’m sure to put your top 100 rock steady tunes together. I share the same opinions as Ziggy. As in there were so many tunes there that I never knew existed or had forgotten. Which tells me that if anyone else out there wishes to compile and submit their own interpretation of a top 100 rock steady list, then there’s bound to be even more rarely heard and forgotten gems for us to hear and appreciate.
Me personally? I wouldn’t know where to begin. I’ll take a neutral stance and admire everyone else for their taste.
an absolutely superb list, i think Ziggy summed it up for me when he said that for him there were three categories
1….bloody ‘ell i’ve never heard this before…how come?
2….bloody ‘ell i haven’t heard this for years – i’d forgotten how good it was
3….yes an obvious inclusion really.
so many additions to my wants list, and having the sound samples has been a great idea – thank you again for all the work you’ve put into this Tim – looking forward to the Ska list now ;o))
Great choice for no. 1, the Curtis Mayfield reference is spot on, the whole list has been great, , been eagerly follwing it for years!
A ska list would be awesome! Or a list of recommendations of high quality songs from post 68 that are related to the rocsteady aestetic…
Well done Tim P and thanks for the ride. This tune totally escaped my mind for this list but a good selection for No.1 I honestly thought Rock Steady by Alton Ellis would get top spot. Some tunes I thought would make the list or would be in my list would have been Are you Ready by the Progressions, Rocking Time by Roy and Enid and Dudley Williamson’s Anything You Want. But it’s all good. ; )
Excellent list and such a great read. Thanks a lot!
Fact of life is on Jamaican Gold cd / Doctor Buster Dynamite lp.
Sir Lee’s Rock Steady party at Buckingham Palace.
release date 2002
Micky Lion
Well done Tim. At least people will stop nagging you now about finishing the list. Mind you they won’t be talking to you seeing as you didn’t pick their tune. LOL. For the record: my favourite Rock Steady tune (which didn’t make it either) is “Passion Love” by The Melodians. Get’s me every time I hear it…
What a worthy number one tune! Too bad it’s over now..
Many thanks, Tim.
Well done Tim,
A really worthy number one. How could we not have seen it coming!
Can I suggest that you think of another few dozen “ones that got away”. There have been lots of great suggestions from contributors and I bet you have a good number you wish you could have included.
Thanks for a great countdown. We have enyoyed your labour of love.
Regards,
Bernard
Hi, I would just like to say THANK YOU for this extensive work on these pama labels , it is very thorough , informative , and fascinating to go through , i have learned a good few things i didn’t know after my thirty years or so of collecting! And it really is so good to hear the sound clips , PLEASE do more labels ! It would be a big effort but most definitely appreciated by all us reggae nerds around the globe
Thanks a million for doing this. Ive been following it every step of the way and always eagerly awaiting the next choice. Im sad that its finished now.
Would you consider doing the same thing for Ska, Rocksteady, Roots or Dub? please please pretty please!!
Tim, when are you going to make top 100 lists of ska and early reggae so we can argue over that too?
Just to set the record straight: At The Party was performed by MILTON BOOTHE at WIRL studio with vocal backing by two members of THE PROGRESSIONS Milton Henry & Patrick Harty. Neither the Tennors or Maurice was anywhere near the studio at that time. The PROGRESSIONS were formerly known as THE JETS while at STUDIO 1 and did backing primarily for JACKIE OPEL and the Wailers were given credit for a couple of JETS backing vocals. In fact, The Wailers were very competetive in doing backing vocals and saw the Progressions as arch rivals. If you listen to The Wailers later work at Studio 1 you could come to the conclusion that there was some imitation going on.
These releases look so good, I would love to have a handfull but is there anywhere they can be bought for a “reasonable” price. I understand the quality of these releases is great but it’s anothing thing paying the price of an LP for a 7″…
So Tim, you don’t rate “Ba Ba Boom,” “007 (Shantytown” and “Train To Skaville,”?
Brian – check the comments here – http://www.dancecrasher.co.uk/the-100-greatest-rocksteady-tunes/the-100-greatest-rocksteady-tunes-10-1/
I also wrote this on Facebook when the same thing was discussed –
“there are loads of big tunes missing Baba Boom is definitely one. It would have been easy just to fill the whole list with Treasure Isle big tunes but I didn’t want to. To me Baba Boom is kind of played out – I don’t get excited by it in the same way as I do most tunes on this list. Still it’s all about opinions – everyones list would be different. Cheers!”
Thanks Tim, I’d read most of those comments but not seen your facebook entry. I completely understand your answer, and frankly agree with you, “Ba Ba Boom” is sort of played out, just curious how you weeded it!
Been following the list since the beginning, sad to see it finish, great work. Luke
Very Nice, the last two sentences are a nice ending!
It’s interesting to note that Frank Cosmo’s “I’m the Greatest” was issued on Blue Bleat 349 in 1966 as the B side to Buster’s All Stars’ “Picket Line”, except it was credited to Eric Morris. Apart from a few Ska releases, I can’t seem to find any info on Frank Cosmo. Were they one and the same? The vocal on this track does sound a little different to Eric Morris’s normally very delicate voice. Can anyone enlighten me?
Robin.
Great stuff.
At last, an article on King Edwards. Great to hear his story from the man himself.
Great job Mike…props to Brad too!
GREAT INTERVIEW!!!
Matt, any idea about what record outlet on Pico Blvd. that might have been??
Dolphins of Hollywood was on Western Avenue around there, but I think it came later
Back in the 60’s I recorded a tune for King Edwards-Titled THE KING] wish I could get a copy.
Can’t find any reference to that tune Roy. Was it released? The only title that is close is “The Winner”, released in 1964.
Now up to ’62 part 3, what a pleasure this series has been, i’m just hoping it carries on.
Like the man said, not just the same old tunes over and over.
Not just a collection of tunes, An historical document.
Tim & gang,
First off, so many Thx for even beginning to compile this list, probably many points on the way you wish you hadn’t started!
Now you’ve reached number 1 I will dedicate a whole show to playing a selection from the list on my show (Live mondays 9pm via http://www.penwithradio.co.uk, and then sometimes on mixcloud… plug plug) though I just wish I had half the collection you have so that I might include the more ‘obscure’ ones!!
Now for the ska list?? !! haha where would you start?
Great interview ..
What’s he saying? Prince Buster was a pimp?!!! never..
I think he was saying that he was a…….. tourist guide.
Greg: I can see from your comment and mentioning the music genre that you do not have a deep knowledge of what is ska and what is early reggae….
Great list. Thought Carlton and The Shoes “Love Me Forever” was going to be #1. That’s not a crititism by the way, just a bet I had with a friend.
“Live Long And Prosper”
I aways interpreted this list to be based on artistic merit and effect on a listener. There’s good mixture of well known to rare tune. Some of the biggest Rock Steady tunes ever were commercial tunes made to sell a lot. Some tunes are made just for the dancehall for a hard core crowd. I totally understood the list and what it (in some ways) is suppose to represent.
Just found this excellent list. I have a couple more to add (unless I overlooked): “Rhyming time” (King Stitt) / “Always something there to remind me” (Winston Francis) on a Pre. “Crying over you” and “I am a fool” (Ken Boothe on a full labelled copy. Regards!
Just come back to this site after not visiting for a while… “River Jordan” is just one of the most beautiful records ever, should have been No.1!
Thanks Tim for a beautiful job, and since I will not argue with your choices, here’s a few I would have had in there: Roy Panton – Endless Memory, Orville Wood – You’ll Lose A Good Man, Conquerors – You Can’t Keep A Secret(tbc) and Hamlins – Sugar and Spice.
I really hope to see you start a ska or early reggae top 100.
Hi again Robrt…sorry!! you must wonder who I am!!…hahaha..I am Susan Cadogan…he interviewed me at Scratch Perry’s studio in Jamaica
Big up the Tighten Up Crew, wish I could be there. Please provide the track credits for this promo clip. Thanks.
I’ve got a whole black bag full of pristine Black Music, Blues and Soul etc from the 70s through to early 80s. Are they worth anything ? Ex husband doesn’t want them anymore so there they sit up in the loft.
Hi Sue, late reply but have you sold them yet? Thanks
Hey Mr Wilson.
Thank you for the music.
“There is a reward” 🙂
Another hero gone. I was always very fond of his toasting track ‘Croakin’ Lizard’ on the ‘Chase The Devil’ rhythm by Max Romeo and The Upsetters.
R.I.P Prince Jazzbo.
What a fantastic read this is! As a newcomer to rocksteady this is invaluable. I’m fairly new to Reggae – have been buying for the past year – I’ve really fallen for rocksteady’s lush vocals and hypnotic swagger. I hear Pat Kelly sing ‘Somebody’s Baby’ and just disappear. I’ve literally copied this list into my ‘wants’ book (as unrealistic as that is… some prices are crazy right now!) – I’ve a lot to learn. Thanks again – as a North London resident I’ll deffo check out the next Silver Bullet night.
I have the original issue of Frenemies and bought the recent one as a spare, I would say it’s definitely a repress, it’s a noisier press and the labels feel different
Early on in the series it was pretty much a take what is pressed situation, but now the prime importer gets Test Presses of a percentage of the titles so we can vet the quality, so there are a number of titles that we have rejected as just too poor to press (For example we returned the press of Alton Ellis’ ‘A Fool’ as the stampers were completely knackered) and others where we felt a compromise was worthwhile due to the extreme rarity of the tune (For example The Wailers ‘Lemon Tree’ which is pressed from the original UK stamper originally manufactured on behalf of R&B Records of Stamford Hill, sadly this gets noisy in the second half of the tune, but we felt that at a modest retail most collectors would accept that compromise rather than carry on the endless search for a somewhat pricy (and potentially noisy anyway) elusive original UK pre-release copy (The only way the tune was issued on 45 until now as far as I am aware). Likewise we find it frustrating when with certain tunes the correct original dub has not been available but in the event the original B-side stamper is lost/damaged we are limited to what the Jamaican end of the re-issue programme is prepared to do.
I am aware another party has mastered a number of other titles and manufactured stampers to re-issue a number of key titles in conjunction with Carol Dodd, however that project seems to have stalled at present in spite of a 4 four figure investment on mastering and stampers (Which I believe are currently in New York with Carol)
At present the JA end of the re-issue project is working through the store of stampers they have available and has no intention of manufacturing new stampers so as far as the Jamaican series of re-issues is concerned we are limited to what is in storage and useable at present.
It is also worth noting that within the last few days we have been notified that once the current stock of certain titles runs out there will be no repress as the JA end of the operation want to concentrate on what other titles exist in the ‘Stamper store’ so if you don’t buy them now you may well miss out (Some titles are already out of press)
Phil ENTHUCOL
Are these discomix versions? As some of the Soul Jazz 10/12″ I’ve purchased don’t have an extended mix?
In reply to justin
I love them, big studio one collector & not cussing cos
I bought them all (online).. But I was fairly disappointed
to find they are mostly 7inch cuts of the tunes
on a 12 inch piece of vinyl (with Hortense ellis & Willie Williams tracks being the exceptions) some only taking
up a third of a side. They are heavily pressed but it
seems like a bit of a wasted opportunity.. Could have offered up represses of some really hard to find amazing
studio one disco mixes that are out there :/
Peace
Rocksteady music should get more airplay on mainstream radio stations like capital radio @ Heart. We need more deejays like steve to promote more reggae nights at clubs in the urban areas like Brixton,Peckham,Brockley & Hackney.. I think Rocksteady & ska is the type of music that will live on forever. Soul Jazz Records is doing a very good job in promoting this music in their outlet stores, but there is still a long way to go before we can reach out to a wider audience who are crying out for anything other x-factor budding musicians. Respect to all comments made by you serious collectors out there. however, we could compile a list of the top 1000 rocksteady tunes of all time and still not be satisfied with the outcome of our all time classics.
Surprised there was no mention of sabatoge by desmond dekker or train is coming back by the gladiators. In the mood rocksteady by dandy and his band was a tune that a heard from the days in my buggy(Classic!) Anyways don’t want to go on too long but keep the good work up Dancecraher. You are a credit to the avid rocksteady collector
Peace
DJ 45 king
P.S I am looking for a copy of Rock of Gibralter by the Riteous Flames on Attra Records. Cant even find a copy on ebay. How much does this go for at auctions. Any offers!
Thanks,
I suspected that would be the case, and as I already have 12″s of both Hortense Ellis and Willie Williams tracks and all the other tunes in 7″/LP format I don’t think I will be buying any of them.
As you said a bit of a wasted opportunity, and I don’t quite see the logic in releasing them in that format.
just checking these, great stuff Tm – any chance of putting the downloads on another service as megaupload doesn’t exist anymore
i reckon Live Like A King/Skinney (sic) Leg Girl are a Wong brothers production, same as Girl Your (sic) Cold/Soul Man which came out about the same time and has Hopeton Lewis and Glen Brown singing – mind you, that’s only my (ill) educated guess!
I am the woman who came up with the name Greensleeves ..I used to be Chris Cracknells partner back on the 70s I I remember Chris saw an ad from Chris Sedgwick ..looking for someone to run a record shop…..the first shop was opened in Ealing. I remember suggesting the name Greensleeves records …and it stuck ever since. I wonder where they both are now.?….I gather they sold the company.
Claudia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhpVibUw8qk
hey you forgot to mention : it comes with a B3 sized poster, i just received my copy yesterday, im so happy! andre from colombia
The previous Rock a shacka compilations have been available on CD. This appears to be vinyl only. Correct?
Hi Alias
Vinyl at the moment yes. I believe there may be a CD issue but nothing definite, they are just seeing how the vinyl goes at the moment.
You have collected here a TOP selection of jamaican labels!
Big respect!
If you’re interested, i could provide about 20 jamaican label from the 60s that don’t appear here yet!
All the best
Stefan
LOVE THIS! great to have a soundfile, label scan and backround info about that released! well done!
p.s. i have a copy of Marcia Griffiths first record – ‘Wall Of Love’ / ‘You’re No Good’. so i could provide soundfile and label scan.
Best regards
Stefan
Hi Apollo 69 – Thanks very much – any help with label scans will be greatly appreciated! You can send them to dancecrasher.co.uk @ gmail.com
(remove the spaces).
Thanks!
Tim
Authenticity!!! Bless!!!
Real original vibes… clean and straight heartbeat sounds!!!
Here are the links for downloads:
Pt 1 – http://www.mediafire.com/?p2g9f6lmb702o88
Pt 2 – http://www.mediafire.com/?iyr9nnwr9x3x8xv
Excellent work of Love! Gives me much Inspiration.
Fu Manchu was also issued on a UK compilation called Star Explosion on Ember SE-8000 in 1970. This turns up a lot at carboot sales, charity shops etc. Lovely thick UK vinyl!
Yorsoul
Hi,
I’ve been looking for sessions by Asher G as i heard a lot about him, but couldn’t find anything, so could someone please re upload this?
Thanks!
How in earth could they first release a cd of this never re-pressed vinyl gem!!?!!
A missed chance to release the vinyl version first( maybe including a free cd instead) very disapointing for now after my happiness they re issued this album…
anyway I hope this label will get enough feedback 😉 to release their vinyl version very soon……you can help to achieve this i think.
Lion Dan
“Hey Train” is a version of jazz pianist Bobby Timmons’ “Moanin'”, originally performed by Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.
“Worksong” is the Nat Adderley (cornetist) tune of the same name, originally on an album by the man himself as well as a live version on an album with his brother Cannonball (alto).
Buster’s obviously a bit of a jazz fan.
Never realised that You better go was made in 1967. I thought it was much later! Great interview. Thanks for posting.
Not sure if Buster’s much of a Jazz fan, but the musicians definitely were, especially the horn players!
Hi carol; my name is beneto brown one of your recording artist from the sixties, the first reggae reorded by studio one was I want to reggae by beneto brown, also from the soul two group puppy love, soul two,wount you bring your love soul two,once I had a heart soul two.
there is a mispell on beneto brown in the group soul two dennis and bennatta could you correct it.
Sincerely
Beneto Brown
Considering that this CD issue has the end of the last track cut off before it finished i can only wonder what a vinyl issue would turn out like ?
Support a Legend!
Out Of many, One People…
i love roots music,this or those like bob marley&the wailers….pure trouble……my blood run cool in me
The late Delroy Wilson had a tune back in the day call “The Duke & The Sir” I think the lyrics was refering to Prince Buster not having any respect for Duke Reid & Sir Coxone.
Lord almighty! Discovering the label scan from the Harmonians’ “Oh My Baby” (Tennors) really left me gasping for breath. I know this tune from the legendary “Reggae Girl” compilation, but have never seen it on a 7-inch before. Lucky owner!
you’re gonna need me wa also released pon RIO:) wicked wicked selection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m looking for a reggae album that was out either in 1977 or 1978. I think the title is “Head of the lion” and contains a song “heart of gold”. this was very popular in UK. Please let me know if that is right information.
Thanks William
I have copies from 1, with about 69 of them. There are all in great condition and been boxed up for the last 20 or so years.
Looking to sell
Hi Bren, do you have issues from 1984? Thanks
Hi Bren: I am interested in buying issues from you if still available. Please email me at teamster6924@gmail.com if you would like to discuss further. Thanks so much…Michael
“Got To Be At The Party” was recorded by MILTON BOOTHE, accompanied by Lyn Taitt & the Jets and two members of THE PROGRESSIONS at W.I.R.L. and not Maurice Wynter. I was one of the performers on that track, produced by Gloria Barnett.
Patrick, thanks for your contribution and for clearing up the mystery!
Mr. Harty,
Your comment was quite a surprise to me, but I’m never against correcting the historical record, so thank you. Could you tell us more about this session (and any others you played on, if memory still serves you well)? And do you know why the mistake of thinking this song was by Maurice Wynter occurred in the first place?
Patrick,
Thanks for that information.
Could you reveal the other member of the Progressions who accompanied you? By my reckoning, it could’ve been Milton Henry, Rudy Mills, Errol Anthony Russell or Derrick Bucknor. Respect!
Nice nice
Just to sort out: Maurice ‘Professor* Johnson passed in 1967. This production must be from 68-69. Many copies with a “star” matrix have Deltone blank. “Push Push” was also released on UK Nu Beat and produced by Eric Barnett. Eric Barnett was the producer for Deltone. Eric Barnetts first production and also the first Deltone release must be Debo (aka The Horse). This was in 68′.
I don’t know who “Miss Barnett” is, but the same last name says it could be possible. Milton Boothe’ “Lonely And Blue” was released on Deltone.
If a Tennors member was involved, it just could be Nehemiah Reid for me. He also sung for Deltone.
Next questions would be who sung Lullaby Angel (WIRL DS 4198-1 ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUCYKtUnEcw and “Bombshell” (?) http://www.divshare.com/download/25655189-a5a . If i remember right, the flip called “Key To Your Paradise” (like the Hi Tones release which came also with a “star” matrix)
*stamp not blank
The Sensations – “I was born a Loser” is on the Trojan CD-Box “Freedom Sounds” (2012).
The Clarendonians – “I’m Sorry” is on Pressure Sounds CD “Listen to the Music” (2012).
“Young Wings Can Fly” is also on “Put On Your Best Dress – Sonia Pottinger’s Rocksteady 1967-68” (Trojan, 1990).
The Federals song and also The Pat Kelly song are on “Island Presents Rock Steady” (Island Records / Spectrum Music, 2013).
Johnny & The Attractions is on Trojan Rock Steady Rarities Box Set (2005).
Keith & Tex is re-released on Trojan Presents Rock Steady 40 Ground Breaking Hits (2011).
Keith & Tex is on “Islands Presents Rock Steady – 40 Soulful Classics” (2013).
Slim Smith is on “Studio One Sound” (Soul Jazz) 2012.
Derrick Harriott and also Bobby Ellis is on “Rock Steady Party” CD (Trojan), 2006.
Kingstonians is on Trojan Presents Producers 40 Jamaican Classic (2012).
Progressions – Fair Deal is on Trojan Rocksteady Rarities Box Set (2005).
Sensations- “Long time me no see you Girl” is on Sir Lee’s Rock Steady Party At Kings’s House (Jamaican Gold CD, 2000).
hi,
My Heart My Soul was published on JA Lee’s
http://www.popsike.com/pix/20130106/310558399377.jpg
love this article. I wonder what happened to the police that killed these talents. I hope their conscience kill them.
anyone selling back issues?
The Skatalites? in 1969? who was in this line up?
priceless
hey why still so quiet? i miss your posts, hope everything is fine.
Have 200 copies of Black Echoes newspaper/magazine on e-bay for sale. to end on Wednesday this week 01/10/2014 if of any interest to anyone.
Little Clive is indeed Clive Chin. I talked to him about the tune a couple of years ago. He wasn’t too pleased with the result as he doesn’t think of himself as a dj/toaster.
Hi, Fabse, E. Barnett is not named Eric, she is a female producer. Can’t Remember her name read it once somewhere. Erna? Eina? Enya? Enyo? Something like that
Found her name, Enid Barnett
86 editions of Black Music on E-bay to end on 16/10/14 Hope of interest.
Does anybody know when and where is Jackie Bernard’s funeral going to be? Can u send me the date and any other pertinent information urgently please?
Joy Ride (UNITY 541) is the instrumental cut to Errol Dunkley’s “The Clamp Is On” unless I am mistaken…hope it helps
Hi Tim, just to let you know The Kingstonians’ Put Down Your Fire does come on a Jamaican blank as I’ve recently acquired a copy – same flip as the Doctor Bird
http://www.reggae.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&products_id=57692
some BU 478’s seem to have DJ Sparrow on!
I have full collection of black music magazines from 74-77 including 1st edition. would you be interested in purchasing them? I also have a good selection of blues and soul
thanks Paul .
Sad to hear this, he was one of the DJ’s I liked cause he worked on so many Funky Reggae sides and taking that vibe over to Miami. Also cut some cool funk in Miami and worked with Funk organist Timmy Thomas. There’s a great clip from 1977 doing some funky Reggae with him and other stuff.
RIP King Sporty
Great work, Tim. I return to often to this page that I felt I had to leave a comment this time. What would be really interesting is to read a bit more about the printers in Jamaica and get to understand the printing process of these labels. I don’t know if they have already printed sheets of the stock label designs which they then reprint over or if they do it the same time. And is the title stamped or is the stamp look simply transfered to the screen print frames. Great uploads!
Anbody wanna hazard a guess as to the identity of the singers on the “Federal Singers” tracks – The singer on “My Love” sounds like a young Delroy Wilson to my ears
greensleeves riddim bg everytme jah bless bg respect 2 da founder claudia robinson
i man still listen dem tune everytime me can it mke ya feel so nice and dread and bring bak da gd time wen we use to skank ina wellingboro big up
Excellent interview with a real pioneer of early dancehall.
Fascinating stuff…….
i am interested in buying copies of black music please..especially 1974..
i had all my copies stored , unfortunately they were destroyed when the roof of my garage leaked and i didn’t realize till it was too late to save them..they cover all my years of concerts and allnighters and i would love to get them back. if any one can help please e-mail me.
suggi
Great job, hope not bodering if i quote some of the info on the radio show here in Mexico City. Congrats.
peter hunnigale song CANDY. do u know what riddim this is and if so any more artist pon this riddim?
I have a white label (possible test press) of uptempo reggae numbers, heavy synth similar to Upsetters output (Many moods etc).
The Matrices are SECO 26-A1 and SECO 26-B1, indicating PAMA record, labels smooth too like PAMA.
I think this may be an (as far as I know) unrealeased or uncatalogued UK Pama LP (SECO 26).
Its pretty battered and was rescued from landfill, but plays ok.
As all instrumentals on A Side (B Side needs a really good clean) its really hard to work out Artist, can anyone help if I can provide some soundbytes>?
I dont have any fancy phono to digital hardware but can use my phone to get an mp3. Thanks
hey, thanks brethren for the forgotten Idren & his wonderful contribution to the Jamaican music scene/business ( hope some youths will take heed) yes I knew the man well because I was in the trenches like him, just that I played the trumpet, times then was hard & has always been even now, so I give thanks for the heads up for JAH LLOYD RIP mi brethren
david madden
Greetings,
Just some information …. #52 Lesson Of Love by Slim Smith is a cover of Ray Charles “Somebody Ought To Write A Book About It”
released on ABC-Paramount
What a great work ! Thank you.
Boss !!
Johnny Johnson was lead singer of Johnny & the Attractions (not sure of the other group members. He now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. After the Attractions broke up through migration, Johnny was asked by Winston Riley to join the Techniques (about 1968-69), and he was lead singer for two of the Techniques classic songs “Travelling Man” and the fabulous flipside “It’s You I Love” (my personal favourite by the Techniques).Shortly after Johnny left the music business and entered the world of finance rising to become a top executive in the late 80s/90s with the now defunct Eagle Financial Network in Jamaica. Johnny has done several concerts in Jamaica and the USA; teaming up with Pat Kelly and bandleader LLoyd Parks as Pat Kelly & The Techniques since the resurgence of rock steady music via shows like “Heineken Startime” and “Rock Steady Reunion”. A nicer individual than Johnny Johnson has not been created.
Great list! And thank you, I have discovered some real gems here. One of my favourites that I didn’t see on your list, Mexican Divorce by The Gaylads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYA115jpm1M
what is the original cut to Tasonia’s Bill
please can you help???? what is the name of the first tune on this tape! any info would be of help? thanks https://soundcloud.com/mikey-glamour/jah-tubbys-vs-fatman-scampas
man it is so gratifying to see him mention Judgement Time. I have been obsessed with this song for months now. i had no interest or understanding of the djay concept until i could not stop playing that track.
i cannot explain it but the way he rides that riddim just kills me every time. I’d love the opportunity to tell that man how much that song has meant to me. peace
Greatings Reggaetarians !
I’m glad to inform everybody who’s interested that the first Hungarian-edited reggae discography homepage is now launched.
You can already browse more than 24,000 record titles (LP, CD) of 5300 Singers and Bands , including 1700 Jamaican Entertainers.
The Artists’ own websites are also linked (ca. 3500).
www.reggaeocean.org
Musicians, write me! Anyone can be entered who has got at least one own reggae record (LP , CD).
http://www.reggaeocean.org/write-me
Abraham AMON
irie@reggaeocean.org
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ReggaeOceanorg/121024754765179
Image of UN 015 General Trees – Watergone showing label
http://www.reggaecollector.com/en/detail/index.php?number=166568
RE-‘Monkey Business’…ok, we know and got all the tracks on other skinhead related compilations and the like but at £7.99 for a double CD it’s well worth it for the cover and booklet alone!
I’ll certainly be buying it (pre-ordered 2 weeks ago).
Charmers in Session, a long time favourite, completely worn out the grooves, nice to see it rereleased!
Is Cornell Campbell taking the ‘Piss’? He did NOT Write ‘queen of the minstrel’, Curtis Mayfield wrote that Song, it’s Original title is ‘Minstrel & Queen’, released in 1962 on abc records In the USA. also Lloyd parks wrote ‘stars’.
Isn’t Minstrel & Queen the original ‘Queen Majesty’ (the Techniques) – actually quite a straight cover, although I prefer the Techniques doing it than the Impressions original. Is this the tune you mean? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR1tbrWB4i0
Just picked up a copy of ‘Jezebel’ by Owen Grey on D Darling!!!!
How absolutely brilliant. Top marks Tim.
Does the PFIB know about this? 🙂
A few I’m not at all familiar with, but also a few very close to my heart. Solid As A Rock was a big time favourite, but mine was on the Big label. It vanished from my selection at some point, stolen by someone who probably discarded it like a throwaway toy, never realising it’s true beauty as I did. I’ve never replaced it.
No. 91 Honey by Slim Smith is what I titled my brand new blank copy of this amazing record. I titled it using letraset when medium was common, and I made it as “authentic” as I could manage (it still looks great) with black letraset on white blank label. I made it on the Hot Bomb label – that was the I Roy inspired name I gave to our little ‘sound system’ when we were teenagers which was little more than a record player with an added amplifier and a big home made bass speaker box, playing parties and youth clubs. I still play it occasionally, back to back with Compass. Lovely vibes.
Memories galore
Thanks Tim 🙂
Wow,great stuff,some top memories there,bought 6 of those pon release,god i’m old 🙂
You left out[We’ll Meet] by Roy & Millie & [Endless Memory] by Roy Panton
I’m certain that Roy and Millie’s ‘We’ll Meet’ ended up on Island records (the bowtie red and white label) but then again, it was common for Pama, Island and Trojan to find that a rival had also gained a copy of the master song off the producer. Not too much of a problem for Island and Trojan at the time because of their shared link.
So, did Pama retitle ‘Debo’ to ‘The Horse’ to cash in on the Cliff Nobles number? But then again, what about ‘Deebo’ on Big Shot credited to the Swinging Kings?
That’s a bit of a mystery Mark – is there an original Jamaican issue titled Debo that plays the Spread Your Bed instrumental? I only know the Big Shot issue and the reissue. The Horse cut is on this issue:
http://www.reggae.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&products_id=94325
also listed here:
http://www.yardlink-records.com/?pid=83881715
We all have our individual objections to what’s on a list like this, I understand that completely.
But I have to say, what strikes me about this list is the obvious absence of Studio 1 material… No Bob Andy, no Heptones (!), no Alton on Studio 1, etc.
And of course, no list of the best of rocksteady should be without Albert Tomlinson’s “Don’t Wait For Me”!
Nice work still, heard a couple of tunes that were new to me, that I now need to start looking for 🙂
D Crasher, just a word of advise. If you are putting out a “list of the ‘best ever'” I suggest you refer to it as “my personal list” or “my top 10…so and so.” By referring to such a list as “my Top…” it is difficult for any person to object to, or worst ridicule, the selection, one way or the other, simple because it is your list, not someone else’s. As Mathias says, “we all have our individual objections to what’s on a list like this,” and he goes on to mention some — and I agree completely — obvious omissions with respect to Studio One, Bob Andy, and the Heptones. Let me put it this way: It is next to impossible to come up with a list of the top 10 rocksteady songs and not have Studio One listed. It is a cardinal sin in the music business, in particular the rocksteady era, to omit STUDIO ONE (and DUKE REID) from any “Top Anything Relating to Music” list.
And to echo Mathias’s point about Albert Tomlinson’s “Don’t Wait For Me,” if you are quite knowledgeable about Rocksteady, this song is an absolute classic. Plain and simple.
I must add, again if you are knowledgeable, and I say that with respect to everyone, and if you are discussing the top rocksteady songs, the Melodians (“Little Nut Tree,” “Swing and Dine,” “Come on Little Girl Come on,” and many more from said group; the Paragons (“Number One,” “Happy Go Lucky Girl”); The Gaylads (“Hard to Confess”); and other lesser known tracks such as Stranger Cole’s “Love Me This Evening”; The Cables’ “What Am I to Do”; Dermott Lynch’s “Adult Only”; “Play Play” by Rita Marley & the Soulettes; and “Shocking Love” by The Federals. Again, I am not advocating that every should embrace, or even like, the tracks listed above, because they are my selections, but from years of collecting Jamaican classics from the ‘Sixties Era.’
I challenge anyone to listen to these tracks, particularly the lesser known ones, and then let me know what you think.
PS. As a point of note, I would give props to only “Dancing Mood” and “Queen Majesty” from the “Top 10” list cited in the post to which I am responding. No disrespect.
Carl T
Geez guys – did you read the whole list and all the comments or just the top ten? Obviously it’s a personal list – i’m pretty sure that was made clear. CarlTee we had the same discussion around three years ago – see above in the earlier comments on this page.
Still thanks for the comments – I don’t doubt if I compiled this list again again that the selections would be different in places. Albert Tomlinson might well be in there too – but sorry to disappoint, he wouldn’t have made the top ten.
I can see why you’ve made the comments sections closed on the Pama list. People are so dense…
Hi Tim, desperately looking for original song used here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M03Z1gfKpJs
This compilation’s not always using real artist / track names and as I can’t find any 7″ release of this one I think it’s not the original one.
Can you help please ?
If that is Alan “Fuzzer” Hughes, I went with you. Cheers, Jim Craven
The best thing about these types of lists is that people that are newer to a scene can learn so much from them. I think people that criticize the choices made in them are usually not taking into account that the very existence of such lists are often a stepping stone for new fans to the choices that they may have preferred to be included on them. Thank you DanceCrasher for a useful and fantastic buch of tunes.
Can everyone only see 100-41? Big up Pama!
Respect to Jah Lion. Anyone who had a hand in the Black Ark style is a hero and legend for all time, and shall be honored in the proper time as we today celebrate the Ancient Egyptians, The Romans, The Samurai, The Motown, The Rasta.
I can’t wait for the rest of this!! Absolutely fantastic stuff.
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