Four songs and their dubs — lovers, bubblers, rockers, and well-charge dub, with great playing and Sugar brilliantly focussed throughout — originally a 1983 picture-sleeved ten-inch on his own Black Roots imprint.
An LP’s worth of vintage Studio One rhythms (and Coxsone productions), vocals plus dubs, all unavailable elsewhere.
Top-quality, previously-unreleased Sugar, in fine voice at Joe Gibbs. Strong rhythm, too, rich and moody.
Two knockout Wackie’s 12” sides, paired together for maximum pressure. Each originally appeared on separate twelves, around ‘85 and ‘80. The A-side is another deadly Sugar shot, one of so many for Wackie’s. Backed here with the more obscure Zion Land, a stunning, shimmering roots chant. Both sides extended mixes.
Nice, mid-tempo tune, Eek A Mouse style and fashion.
Terrific, deep roots, protesting the imprisonment of Desmond Trotter for the 1974 murder of a US tourist in Domenica. (Trots was fingered by a young lady from Antigua called Pretty Pig, the court was told.)
Originally released on the Jumbo Caribbean Disco label run by Brooklyn’s African Record Center shop. Discomixes, both sides.
Don’t miss it.
Ace, quirky one-away — effervescent singing on a bubbling rhythm, with ticking drums and deft keyboard interjections.
A locomotive Ben E. King cover and some wistful Deadly Headley. Derrick’s singing is clear as a bell; Striker Lee works the throttle. One to stick next to DM’s Seven Letters.
HIs seminal LP, sixty years after its title track turned national anthem of JA independence celebrations; plus the remainder of his early recordings for Leslie Kong’s Beverley’s Records, originally released between 1961 to 1963.
The second disc focuses on Derrick’s return to Beverley’s during the rocksteady era, taking off from his Best Of album, first out on Doctor Bird in 1969.
Deep, tough Wackies killer with giddily nostalgic lyrics about setting out at midnight to a packed New York blues party. Massive vibes; murderous dub.
Bringing together two sevens originally released in Jamaica on the Afro Black label, in the mid-seventies. Rootical domestics, soulfully delivered, over tight, funky playing. You Let Me Down is Wackies’ sublime Black Harmony rhythm, no less.
Collectors’ heaven, utilising Joe ‘Basement Session’ Morgan’s own imprint Fish Tea, going since the 1980s.
The ska originator in his 1964 prime; plus a knees-up Baba Brooks.