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Roots Rock Reggae

You are currently browsing the archive for the Roots Rock Reggae category.

Ants, Beatles, Crickets … Termites

“Do the Rock Steady”  Presenting The Termites  Studio One Records (Jamaica) (1967)   Featuring Lloyd Parks and Wentworth Vernal   Produced by Coxone Dodd   This is a compilation of their singles including their one hit “Have Mercy Mr. Percy” – a plea to their landlord.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (36 votes, average: 3.83 out of 5)
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Skatalite in the loafers?

Gay Feet Every Night featuring Baba Brooks and his band and Joe White and Chick   Dr. Bird Records  (1966)  A rare ska record from the UK

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (39 votes, average: 3.74 out of 5)
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All you need is dub

General Smilie and Papa Michigan  “Rub-A-Dub Style”   Studio One Records (Jamaica)  (1979)   The song flips the old Alton Ellis song “I’m Just A Guy” .

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (46 votes, average: 3.91 out of 5)
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Everybody goes for Ska-lispo!

Count Owen “Come Let’s Go Ska-Lipso”  (1964)  Federal Records (Kingston, Jamaica)

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (40 votes, average: 3.65 out of 5)
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Everybody loves to Ska Ska Ska

“Let’s Dance the Ska”   Lord Gayle and the Seasiders   Federal Records (Kingston, Jamaica) (1964)

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (33 votes, average: 3.91 out of 5)
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Tits and the Maytals

“In Reggae Time”  Ember Records (UK)  A nice compilation of reggae and soul from 1970 including:

Sonny & The Daffodils – You got to make de money while you can; Gonna give it one more try; That girl she done me wrong
Laris McLennon – Confusion; Try me; Baby that’s love; Turn me loose
Vernon Vermont – Golden band; Come back; Too late; Hurry home
Maynell Wilson – Motown feeling
Hoagy Benson – Kangaroo
Norma Lee – Hurt

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (63 votes, average: 4.03 out of 5)
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Cliff hanger

Happy New Year!  Jimmy Cliff  “Music Maker”  The second of Jimmy Cliff’s three albums for Reprise in the mid-’70s.  Photographer: Don Jim.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (51 votes, average: 3.98 out of 5)
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Tennors anyone?

“Reggae Girl” The Tennors     Big Shot Records (UK)   (1968)   The best of the Tennors’ self-produced material.   Aside from being notable for the title track (one of the first recordings to bear the name ‘reggae’) and the best-selling ‘Ride Me Donkey’, the album features a selection of late Rocksteady favorites by leading Jamaican talent, including future Tennors Member, Ronnie Davis.   Recently named by Record Collector Magazine as one of the most collectable LPs ever!

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (39 votes, average: 3.77 out of 5)
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Barrels of fun

“Hot Shots of Reggae”   Trojan Records (1970)   With Delroy Wilson and “Show Me the Way” Produced by the legendary Leslie Kong

Ken Boothe – Freedom Street
Melodians – Sweet Sensation
The Maytals – Monkey Man
Ken Boothe – Why Baby Why
Beverley’s All Stars – Cotton Dandy
Joe White – So Much Love

The Maytals – She’s My Scorcher
The Pioneers – Simmer Down Quashie
The Gaylads – There’s a Fire
Delroy Wilson – Show Me the Way
The Gaylads – This Time I Won’t Hurt You
Bruce Ruffin – I’m the One

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (49 votes, average: 4.04 out of 5)
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Sugar blues

Mel told me that reggae and dancehall superstar Sugar Minott passed away today.   (1956-2010)   RIP Sugar.   Here’s “Buy Off the Bar” (1984)   Sonic Sounds and Power House Records.   (Cover art by reggae illustrator Wilfred Limonious.)

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And here’s Sugar Minott’s cool, cool cover of Michael Jackson’s “Good Thing Going” from 1981.

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (52 votes, average: 3.46 out of 5)
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