Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of record covers from the golden age of LPs


Subscribe to feed Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Tumblr

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)
Loading ... Loading ...

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)
Loading ... Loading ...

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)
Loading ... Loading ...

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)
Loading ... Loading ...

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)
Loading ... Loading ...

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)
Loading ... Loading ...

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)
Loading ... Loading ...

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)
Loading ... Loading ...

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)
Loading ... Loading ...

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.)

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)
Loading ... Loading ...