Lawless Street Blog » Rocksteady

100 Greatest Rocksteady Tunes (40-31)

Lawless — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:48:04 +0000

The wonderful (and we can’t say that enough) DanceCrasher site updated their long running list of 100 greatest Rocksteady tunes back in December but we didn’t get it posted here so we’ll make up for it now. They present another amazing collection of label art, stories and sound clips of some of the most outstanding tunes ever recorded. Be sure to let em know what you think about those tunes too! Check out the list including hits from Techniques, The Ethiopians, The Uniques, Ken Parker, The Melodians and more here www.dancecrasher.co.uk.

The 100 greatest Rocksteady tunes (60-51)

Lawless — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:19:07 +0000

Another set of the top Rocksteady tunes from the great people over at Dancecrasher. I was beginning to think they forgot about the whole thing. This set includes some of the most classic Rocksteady tunes ever produced. Each entry (as always) includes wonderful information about the specific choice on the list and where it’s currently available along with a small sound sample. Check out the site, www.dancecrasher.co.uk, and let em know to keep the list coming – we’re only half way done! Now here’s the next set of tunes!

The 100 greatest Rocksteady tunes (60-51)

60. Soul Serenade – The Soul Bros (Coxsone Dodd production)
59. Revelation – Alva Lewis (Bunny Lee production)
58. Red Bum Ball – Lloyd and Devon (Derrick Morgan production)
57. Perfidia – Phyllis Dillon (Duke Reid production)
56. The Loser – Derrick Harriott (Derrick Harriott production)
55. Tide Is High – The Paragons (Duke Reid Production)
54. Lesson Of Love (AKA Can’t Do Without It AKA Story Of Love) – Uniques (Bunny Lee production)
53. I’m A Loving Pauper – Dobby Dobson (Duke Reid Production)
52. That Girl – Lloyd And Glen (Derrick Harriot Production)
51. River Jordan – the Basses (Coxsone Dodd Production)

The 100 greatest Rocksteady tunes (70-61)

Lawless — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:58:29 +0000

The fourth set of tunes in the Top 100 countdown from Dancecrasher.co.uk is here. We’re not even half way through the list. Plenty more rocksteady tunes to come. Wouldn’t it be great if this list was reissued as a 1 disc set. One can only hope. The label scans and sound clips really make the list complete. Check out the site.

70. The Greatest – William Samuels (Coxsone Dodd production)

The Greatest is surprisingly seldom heard, quite odd since this is a great clash type tune and top notch Studio One Rocksteady to boot.

Winston Samuels emerged as a solo artist in the early 60’s and recorded extensively for Sonia Pottinger in the Rocksteady era but this Brentford Road tune is perhaps his finest moment.

“The Greatest” was released on a blank in Jamaica and on Island in the UK, it is not currently available.

69. Rock And Shake – Prince Buster (Prince Buster production)

Prince Buster takes the rhythm from his cut of Dark End Of The Street and turns it into something quite special.

The use of echo/reverb (?) makes this well ahead of it’s time and arguably another missing link in the development of Dub.

Originally issued on a blank in Jamaica and gold UK FAB, “Rock And Shake” is not currently available (come on Buster sort it out!).

68. Suicide AKA Hang My Head And Cry – Alva Lewis (Caltone production)

Alva Lewis went on to work as a session guitarist in the Kingston studio’s (most notably as a member of the Upsetters) however he started out in the Rocksteady era as a singer.

It’s hard not to think that a tune where the singer threatens suicide is a bit morbid, but the slow beat of Rocksteady leant itself to downbeat vocals and this is certainly one of the best of them.

Originally issued on the Jontom label in Jamaica and slightly inappropriately on the Jolly label in the UK, “Suicide” is currently available on Safe Travel – Phill Pratt & Friends (Pressure Sounds PSCD 47).

67. Got A New Girl AKA First Time I Met You Girl – Larry Marshall (Prince Buster production)

Whilst Busters finest moments were in the Ska era with a whole series of scorching instrumentals he easily held his own in the Rocksteady era as the number of his productions making this top 100 shows.

Larry Marshall recorded extensively with Prince Buster before moving over to Coxsone Dodd with the dawn of Reggae where he scored massive hits alongside Alvin Leslie with Nanny Goat and Throw Me Corn.

“Got A New Girl” was issued on an Olive Blossom pre in Jamaica and on Fab in the UK, it has not been re-issued.

66. Shocking Love AKA You Better Call On Me – The Federals (David Scott production)

The Federals were Valman Smykle, David Scott, and Franklyn Spence. This tune, produced by David Scott is one of their strongest with a sublime lead vocal (from Scott himself?) and superb harmonies.

The Federals were around for only a few years in the late 60’s with David Scott and Franklyn Spence joining the Chosen Few when the group broke up. Scott also achieved considerable success as the deejay Scotty, working mainly for Derrick Harriot.

“Shocking Love” was issued on a blank in Jamaica and on Island in the UK, It was re-issued , a year or so later, by Pama on the Camel label. It is available on the Trojan Rocksteady Box Set.

65. Cool Cool Collie – Hopeton Lewis (Sam Mitchell and Keith Scott production)

Cool Collie is the second Hopeton Lewis tune produced by Scott and Mitchell to be featured (see also number 74). This one is as cool as it’s title suggests with some great piano in the intro and unusual percussion. Rocksteady would not have been the same without Hopeton Lewis working in combination with Keith Scott and Sam Mitchell.

“Cool Collie” was issued on the Merritone label in Jamaica and on Island in the UK. It is currently available on the CD Take It Easy on K&K records.

64. Let My People Go – The Rulers (JJ production)

Possibly one of the rarest tunes that will feature on this list and definitely one of the deepest… so much so infact that it is a bit of an aquired taste.

Let My People Go was covered by Keith Wilson for Studio One as God I God I Say which is a roots masterpiece in it’s own right, but the original has a haunting quality that makes it totally unique.

“Let My People Go” by the Rulers was only ever released on a Jamaican blank and needless to say hasn’t been re-issued. Surprisingly given Heartbeat and Soul Jazz’s ongoing association with Studio One the Keith Wilson version has not been re-issued either.

63. Somebody’s Baby – Pat Kelly (Bunny Lee production)

Pat Kelly is undoubtedly one of the greatest singers to have ever come out of Jamaica, not bad for someone who was more keen on being in the engineers chair when in the studio.

Somebody’s Baby was one of Kelly’s first solo sides after taking a break from the Techniques, it was issued in 1968 and produced by Bunny Lee. Originally it came out on the Lee’s label in Jamaica and on Island in the UK.

“Somebody’s Baby” is available on the Trojan Rocksteady Box Set.

62. Let’s Get Together – Johnny & The Attractions (Sonia Pottinger production)

Perhaps best known for the Roots versions by Tetrack recorded for Augustus Pablo in the 70’s, Let’s Get Together was first recorded by Johnny & The Attractions for Sonia Pottinger circa 1968. The Rocksteady version is every bit as good as the later cut.

This was re-released on 7? single in 2008 by Rock-A-Shacka and is available on CD on Trojan’s Rebel Music Volume 2.

61. Won’t You Come Home – Delroy Wilson (Coxsone Dodd production)

A superb Studio One rhythm track, that has Leroy Sibbles (Bass) and Jackie Mittoo (keyboards) written all over it, underpins this Delroy Wilson classic.

Delroy Wilson was a child prodigy who first started recording for Studio One in the early 60’s, by the time Rocksteady came round he had matured as a singer and was on top of his game. He maintained his position as one of the best solo artists on the island for over ten years.

Issued on the Studio One label in Jamaica and it’s equivalent in the UK (though the UK version managed to miscredit the track to the Gaylads), “Won’t You Come Home” is currently available on the CD Dancing Mood (Studio One).

The 100 greatest Rocksteady tunes (80-71)

Lawless — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:39:54 +0000

The third set of tunes in the Top 100 countdown from Dancecrasher.co.uk is here. As a vinyl junkie myself I tend to find myself drooling a little bit each time a new list is posted. The label scans and song clips are amazing. Stop by the site and check em out to get the full effect as I’ve mentioned before.

80. Johnny Cool – Prince Buster and Lee Perry (Prince Buster production)

The Prince as Johnny Cool in conversation with Lee Scratch Perry with more than a little of Ba Ba Boom and Queen Majesty thrown in for good measure. A highly entertaining combination that is just a little left field, this was also highly unusual for the time as the flip side had a part 2 that carried on in a similar style to the A side. Johnny Cool was a Gangster film released in 1964 (see the poster). It’s unclear if the character Johnny Cool is taken directly from the film or from a Kingston bad man who adopted the name.

This was released on Olive Blossom in Jamaica and on gold Fab in the UK.

“Johnny Cool” is not currently available.

79. Johnny Melody AKA George Dekker – Treating Me Bad (Lesley Kong production)

Another song referencing Johnny Cool; “the girls them a call me Johnny Johnny Cool”.

George Dekker (also known as George Agard) was a member of the Pioneers as well as a solo singer, there have also been suggestions that he is the half brother of Desmond Dekker but he has denied this. His first recordings were as part of the duo Winston And George where he cut the late Ska sides Denham Town and Keep The Pressure Down.

Whilst his solo sides were very good they never enjoyed the phenomenal success of his group work with the Pioneers. Treating Me Bad was one of a handful of solo sides he recorded for Chinese Jamaican producer Lesley Kong. It was issued on Pyramid in the UK and on the Beverleys label, and a blank in Jamaica. The Jamaican issue of this was somewhat over shadowed by it’s flip side, Longshot Kick The Bucket by the Pioneers.

“Treating Me Bad” has been reissued on the Trojan Rocksteady Rarities Box Set.

78. Miss Cushie – Junior Soul (Sonia Pottinger production)

A real gem from a young Junior Murvin as Junior Soul.

Murvin cut a number of sides for Sonia Pottinger and Derrick Harriott in the late 60’s before moving on to greater things in the 70’s with Lee Perry.

Sonia Pottinger produced many fine Rocksteady sides in the late 60’s and though stylistically different they are every bit as strong as the material coming out of Treasure Isle.

“Miss Cushie” does not appear be be available on re-issue at the time of writing.

77. Never Kiss You Again – The Daltons (Prince Buster production)

The Daltons recorded four songs. All of them for Prince Buster. Never Kiss You Again was the stongest though they are all worth hearing. Who they were is a complete mystery, probably just two or three youths who tried a thing before dissapearing back into obscurity. Their names may not be known but the music they made will live forever.

“Never Kiss You Again” was released on the Olive Blossom label in Jamaica and on Fab in the UK. It has not been reissued.

76. The Cooler – The Wrigglers (Coxsone Dodd production)

“You think you are the ruler, but i am the cooler” classic bragging that has made this very popular as a clash tune on the revival scene for many years.

Not much is known of the Wrigglers who recorded just a handful of sides for Studio One but Albert Tomlinson may have been a member.

This is one of the many great Studio One tunes that has not seen reissue.

75. To Sir With Love – Dawn Penn (Bunny Lee production)

Dawn Penn takes on the theme to the UK film. Originally performed by Lulu and a Pop hit for her in 1967. For some strange reason the Jamaican issue on WIRL credited the tune to “Suzette”. There was no original UK issue of this tune.

Dawn Penn was at the top of her game when she recorded this in 1967, the same year she also cut the original version of the much sampled classic You Don’t Love Me AKA No No No at Studio One. Sadly only a few years later she had given up on recording and was not involved in the Jamaican music industry again until the late 80’s.

“To Sir With Love” is available on The Bunny Lee Years CD on Moll Selekta Records (MS13).

74. Hopeton Lewis – This Music Got Soul (Sam Mitchell And Keith Scott production).

Keith Scott and Sam Mitchell were responsible for some astounding Rocksteady for Ken Khouris Merritone label. The Hopeton Lewis tunes were some of the best.

This Music Got Soul is lyrically exactly what it says it is, a great soulful vocal, the rhythm still has a Ska feel to it (as did a number of Scott and Mitchell releases) but it compliments the vocal perfectly. The repetitive piano hook gets right under your skin.

“This Music Got Soul” is available on the CD Take It Easy on K&K records.

73. Glenmore Brown And Hopeton Lewis – Live Like A King (Glen Brown prduction)

More from Hopeton Lewis, this time with Glen Brown. Roots Knooty Roots has this down as a Glen Brown production but it’s not clear if this is accurate. The Jamaican blank issue has just a WIRL matrix without producers initials and the UK FAB issue seems to credit C.Campbell (Prince Buster) as the writer though in all likelihood he got the mention as FAB was pretty much a Buster label in 1968 when this was released.

“Live Like A King” is not currently available on reissue.

72. Shaking Up Orange Street – Prince Buster (Prince Buster production)

This uses the rhythm made famous by the Tennors Studio One tune Pressure And Slide though I believe that the Buster version came first(?).

The saxaphone on the intro is just superb and Buster’s sing/speak style of delivery works better here than on any other tune he done in the late 60’s. This is also known as Sweet Pea due to a mishearing of the chorus refrain of Sweet Beat (or even Seal Seal according to the FAB blank illustrated!). The rhythm became a Dancehall standard after Sugar Minott had a hit with Oh Mr DC on it, at Studio One, in the late 70’s.

As is common with most Buster material this is presently unavailable…which is criminal.

71. Young Wings Can Fly – Johnny & the Attractions (Sonia Pottinger production)

The Johnny is possibly Johnny Osbourne but this is unconfirmed.

Young Wings Can Fly was written by the American composers Mort Garson and Bob Hilliard, it was a minor hit for Ruby And the Romantics in 1963. This was originally issued on Gayfeet in Jamaica (though the blank pre is more common) and on Doctor bird in the UK. There is also a very convincing looking Gayfeet reissue doing the rounds that is probably a bootleg.

“Young Wings Can Fly” was re-released by Trojan on the Rocksteady Box Set and on a 10? single.

The 100 greatest Rocksteady tunes (90-81)

Lawless — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:08:25 +0000

The second set of tunes in the Top 100 countdown from Dancecrasher.co.uk is here. We’re reproducing the list here for your reading pleasure but remember to check out the actual site for wonderful label scans and tune samples. While you’re there give em some thoughts on your your favorites as well.

90. Why Must I – Heptones (Coxsone Dodd production)

The Heptones were perhaps the most successful vocal group to emerge from Studio One in the Rocksteady years. Why Must I dates from 1967 and while it’s not one of their biggest tunes the melancholy lead by Leroy Sibbles and exquisite backing from Barry Llewellyn and Earl Morgan make this a minor masterpiece all the same.

“Why Must I” is currently available on the Studio One CD Heptones – Fattie Fattie (SOCD 9002) which is basically a reissue of the groups debut album, originally titled The Heptones, with a couple of bonus tracks.

89. That’s The Way You Like It – Overtakers (Joe Gibbs production)

Yet more soulful harmonies of the highest order. This time from the Overtakers, a trio lead by Leo Graham. The Overtakers only recorded a handful of sides, firstly for Lloyd Daley before moving on to Joe Gibbs. After they split in 1968 Leo Graham went on to record with the Bleechers from 1969 before experiencing further success as a solo artist in the mid 70’s.

“That’s The Way Yo Like It” is available on the Trojan Records CD – Joe Gibbs Mood (CDTRL394).

88. You Gonna Need Me – Errol Dunkley (Joe Gibbs production)

More from Joe Gibbs, this time one of the earliest recordings from a youthful Errol Dunkley. Issued on both Green and Orange Amalgamated labels in Jamaica and on Trojans Amalgamated subsidiary in the UK.

Dunkley went on to have further hits with Gibbs with Please Stop Your Lying and The Scorcher among others before leaving the Gibbs’ camp in late ‘68.

“You Gonna Need We” previously available on the Trojan Records CD – Get On Up – Joe Gibbs Rocksteady (CDTRL390) but this now appears to be deleted.

97. On the Beach – Paragons (Duke Reid production)

Effortlessly cool as only Treasure Isle Rocksteady could really be. The Paragons with Duke Reid producing was always extra special and On The Beach is no exception, to call it sublime doesn’t even begin to do it justice.

The Paragons had started out recording for Coxsone with Bob Andy on lead in the Ska era. By 1967 they were firmly in the Treasure Isle camp and Bob Andy had left, only to be replaced by another giant of Jamaican music, John Holt.

“On The Beach” is available on the LP of the same name on Treasure Isle records.

86. Facts Of Life – Roy Shirley And The Uniques (Bunny Lee production)

Roy Shirley had been a founding member of the Uniques in 1966 alongside Slim Smith and Franklyn White. This first incarnation of the group disbanded in early 1967 and it was only later in the same year that Slim Smith got together with Lloyd Charmers and Jimmy Reilly to reform the group. Roy Shirley in the meantime was enjoying success as a solo artist, however he teamed up with his old spar Slim to record Facts Of Life a wonderful tune that serves as a perfect showcase for Roy’s idiosyncratic style.

The Camel issue illustrated was a reissue from 1970. The original release was on a Jamaican blank and on UK Island 7?.

“Facts Of Life” has not been re-issued at the time of writing.

85. Way Of Life (Instrumental) – Karl Bryan (Charles Ross production)

The most memorable Rocksteady tunes tend to be vocals as the style tends to lend itself to great harmonies and soulful solos. Having said that there are plenty of great instrumentals and this is one of them.

There was a vocal version of Way Of Life sung by Glen Brown, Joe White and Trevor Shield but it’s the saxophone lead instrumental by Karl Bryan that is the real scorcher.

“Way Of Life” is on the CD issue of Various Artists – Jamaican Memories (TJACD014) on Trojan Records.

84. Dedicated To You AKA Dedicate My Song To You – the Jamaicans (Duke Reid Production)

Great vocals but it’s the horns section that makes this song. The Jamaicans were Tommy Cowan, Norris Weir, Owen Hylton and Martin Williams they recorded extensively for Duke Reid in the Rocksteady era.

Far and away there biggest tune was the 1967 festival Contest Winner, Ba Ba Boom, but Dedicated To You is perhaps their greatest moment. A cover of the Impressions’ Dedicate My Song To You this is so cool and soulful that it outdoes the original.

“Dedicated To You” is available on the Trojan compilation; Duke Reid’s Rocksteady (TJDDD 363)

83. Drum Song – Soul Vendors (Coxsone Dodd production)

Frequently credited to Jackie Mittoo, the original issues in both Jamaica and the UK (both on Coxsone) credited Drum Song to the Soul Vendors. The Soul Vendors were a loose collection of musicians who formed the house band at Studio One from 66 to 68. With some changes in personnel they were known as the Soul Bros up to ‘66 and the Sound Dimension from 1968.

“Drum Song” was based on Jazz musician Gerald Wilson’s Viva Tirado though the similarities are more obvious in the 1970’s version by El Chicano, it is one of the most popular rhythms in Jamaican music with over 100 versions having been released since 1967.

“Drum Song” is available on the CD Jackie Mittoo – The keyboard King at Studio One on Soul Jazz Records.

82. Headache – The Ethiopians (Keith Scott And Sam Mitchell production)

After working extensively with Coxsone in the Ska years the Ethiopians were pretty much free agents by the time that Rocksteady came on the scene. They recorded with Sonia Pottinger, Glen Adams, back with Coxsone and just two sides for Richard Khouri’s Merritone label, under the supervision of Sam Mithcell and Keith Scott.

This has got one of the greatest intros on any Rocksteady tune with piano and guitar playing in unison, by the time the bass comes in you just know this is going to be something special.

“Headache” is not available at the time of writing.

81. Love Brother Love Sister – Errol Dunkley (Joe Gibbs production)

More from Errol Dunkley with Joe Gibbs. Love Brother was the flip side to I Spy (see number 95). This wasn’t the biggest of the dozen or so tunes that the youthful Dunkley cut for Joe Gibbs but it’s certainly one of the toughest with an hardhitting rhythm that is far more aggresive than standard Rocksteady, so much so that it’s clearly showing the trasition to Reggae that took place in 1968.

“Love Bother Love Sister” is available on Explosive Rock Steady on Heartbeat (CDHBEA72).

The 100 greatest Rocksteady tunes (100-91)

Lawless — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:59:31 +0000

Dancecrasher.co.uk has been one of my favorite sites for a long time. It’s very informative and a great read. They have an amazing collection of vintage label scans to check out if you like to check out that sort of thing (an we do!).

We’ll they’ve gone and done the impossible. They’ve decided to rank the 100 greatest Rocksteady Tunes EVER! Check it out HERE and watch as they count down to the Top 10. I can’t wait to see what they pick for the top 10! Be Sure to check out the article at the site for wonderful label art and sound clips.

100. I Am Sorry – The Clarendonians (Caltone production)

Ernest Wilson and Peter Austin formed the Clarendonians in 1965. They recorded extensively for Coxsone Dodd before leaving his stable in 1967 and going first to Caltone, where I Am Sorry was recorded, before moving on to record sides for Lesley Kong, Prince Buster and JJ Johnson.

The departure from Studio One was somewhat acrimonious as was demonstrated in one of their first tunes for Blondel Calnek at Caltone, Bye Bye Bye. However this release, issued on the UK Bullet label in 1969, a good year or so after it was first recorded, is not nearly as contentious. I Am Sorry tells a familiar tale of heartbreak and regret and is as heartfelt as only the very best Rocksteady can be.

Originally issued in Jamaica on a blank label and then the UK Bullet issue “I Am Sorry” has not been reissued at the time of writing.

99. I Was Born A Loser – The Sensations (Bunny Lee production)

Though credited to Bobby Lee as well as the Sensations this is most probably a writing credit as I Was Born A Loser was originally a soul ballad by the American singer Bobby Lee.

Despite it’s American origins I Was Born A Loser is classic Rocksteady fair with it’s mournful tale of bad luck. That said, the lyrics “walking underneath the ladder, thats my destiny” are a bit rich by any standards.

Originally issued in jamaica on the WIRL label the UK issue on Doctor Bird was on the B side of “A Thing Called Soul”, also by the Sensations. This track has not been re-released at the time of writing.

98. It’s Raining – The Three Tops (Duke Reid production)

Arthur “Duke” Reid’s Treasure Isle operation produced more than it’s fair share of hits during the Rocksteady period. The Treasure Island sound tended to me more polished than that achieved by most other producers including Reid’s biggest rival, Coxsone Dodd, and as such was perfectly suited to the soulful vocal styles adopted by vocal groups such as the Techniques, The Paragons and The Three Tops.

It’s Raining was released in 1967 on the Jamaican Treasure Isle label and in the UK as one of the very first releases on Trojan label (label) when it was still associated with Island Records. The Trojan issue erroneously credited the tune to The Tree Tops.

“It’s Raining” is currently available on the Treasure Isle Showtime release on Heartbeat records CDHBEA126/LPHBEA126

97. Patsy – Love Is Divine (Sonia Pottinger production)

Patsy’s vocals can be a little harsh at times but on this tune they work just right . She started her recordiing career in the early 60’s duetting with either Derrick Morgan or Stranger Cole on numerous tunes for Duke Reid, Lesley Kong and Prince Buster. By 1966 she was mainly recording for the Pottingers with Stranger Cole and an increasing number of solo sides. By the end of the decade she seems to have pretty much retired from the business.

This only came out on a Jamaican blank originally but has recently been reissued on CD by the Japanese label Rock A Shacka – Vol.15 Queen Patsy ? Stranger Cole.

96. I’ve Got A Date – Alton Ellis And The Flames (Duke Reid production)

Treasure Isle studio and Alton Ellis were an electrifying combination in the Rocksteady years. Hit after hit emerged on Duke Reid’s Dutchess and Treasure Isle labels , I’ve Got A Date AKA Girl I’ve Got A Date was one of the biggest.

This was recorded in 1966 and still retains an uptempo almost Ska feel though the bass line is unmistakably Rocksteady. Indeed it’s such a strong bass line that it’s surprising the rhythm hasn’t been used more since it was first conceived. The most notable of a small handful of versions of the rhythm was U Roy’s Wake The Town, the foundation DJ’s major breakthrough hit from 1970.

“I’ve Got A Date” is currently available on the Treasure Isle Showtime release on Heartbeat records CDHBEA126/LPHBEA126

95. I Spy – Lyn Taitt And The Jets (Joe Gibbs production)

Lee Perry was the man behind the producers desk with Joe Gibbs just financing the sessions at the time that I Spy was recorded. Of all the tracks that he worked on for Gibbs the instrumental I Spy is amongst the most recognisable as Perry’s work.

Though underpinned by the bass this track is driven by the horns and percussion. The seemingly nonsensical vocal interjections that drop in and out of the mix add to the almost haunting atmosphere of the tune. There may be a vocal on this rhythm as a faint vocal track can be heard at times but this is unconfirmed at the time of writing.

“I Spy” was re-released on CD by Trojan Records in 1998, Get On Up!-Joe Gibbs Rocksteady 1967-1968 CDTRL 390. This may now be deleted .

94. I Mean It – West Indians (Carl “JJ” Johnson production)

Carl Johnson was one of the small time producers who came to the fore as Rocksteady took over from the more uptempo Ska sound in 1966. He produced hit records with The Ethiopians, The Kingstonians, Carl Dawkins and The Rulers amongst others before leaving the business as quickly as he’d arrived in 1972.

The West Indians were Eric Donaldson, Hector Brooks and Leslie Burke. I Mean It was one of four sides they recorded for Carl Johnson, all were released on Doctor Bird Records in the UK. Whilst not putting down the other singers it’s Eric Donaldson’s beautiful lead that makes this song something special and it’s no surprise that he went on to achieve great success as a solo singer including winning the Jamaican Song Contest on five seperate occasions.

“I Mean It” has not been re-issued at the time of writing.

93. Baby I’ve Got News – Soul Tops (Prince Buster production)

Prince Buster wants too much money to licence his back catalogue, either that or the relevant labels are not prepared to offer a decent price for it. Whatever spin you put on it the ongoing absence of a major re-issue programme for Busters Ska and Rocksteady productions is a crying shame. The only exception is the handful of CD’s and 7? reissues put out by the Japanese Rock A Shacka label.

Little is known about the Soul Tops and unfortunately “Baby I’ve Got News” (AKA Cry No More) is not currently available, it’s obscurity does not however detract from what is a beautiful piece of Rocksteady.

92. Girls Like Dirt – Uniques (Bunny Lee production)

The Uniques were perhaps the greatest of all vocal groups in the Rocksteady period, when you consider they have to be compared with the likes of the Sensations, the Heptones and the Techniques this is praise indeed.

Bringing together the vocal skills of Slim Smith, Jimmy Reilly and Lloyd Charmers they recorded mainly for Bunny Lee from 1967 onwards. Slim Smith left the group in 1968 but not before they had recorded a string of unforgettable sides, on Girls Like Dirt his unmistakable vocals elevate an also ran in to a sublime and soulful classic.

“Girls Like Dirt” is available on The Best Of The Uniques 1967-1968 CDTRL340 and The Mod Reggae Box Set TJETD 020 both on Trojan Records.

91. What Can I Do – Tartans (Keith Scott And Sam Mitchell production)

The Tartans were Cedric Myton (later of the Congos), Devon Russell, Lindburgh Lewis and Lincon Thompson (later of the Royal Rasses). They recorded primarily for Blondel Kalneck at Caltone and Keith Scott and Sam Mitchell at Merritone.

What Can I Do is a rude boy song, one of the major preoccupations of Rocksteady singers after the staples of love and romance. A cautionary tale warning of the consequences of a life of crime this was actually the flip side of their big hit, Dance All Night.

“What Can I Do” is available on the Rude Boy Box Set TJETD055 issued by Trojan Records.