A teenaged Montgomery and friends from school, trying out Wild Bill Davis and stuff from the radio, with a JA twist.
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.
The ska originator in his 1964 prime; plus a knees-up Baba Brooks.
A double-header of booting, irresistible JA rhythm and blues.
The Treasure Isle masterwork… plus a sweetly rocking Tommy McCook.
Don’t miss the rocking steady Bacharach & David on the flip.
Curtis Mayfield, every way but loose. A version of The Impressions’ classic marks PK’s first recording with Bunny Lee; and Glen Adams moodily rides the same rhythm Lee used for Slim Smith’s cover of Gypsy Woman, on the flip.
Tough, lovelorn rock steady, with tasty organ asides. The flip is a lovely revive of the signature tune of the great JA calypsonian Lord Flea, bossed here by Lennie Hibbert.
Dapper 1967 rocksteady, previously unreleased. Eddie also recorded as a duo with Alton Ellis — Alton And Eddy.
The best of Ern’s sixties LPs. A lovely bunch of rocksteady instrumentals, featuring a cool and deadly Summertime, bumping versions of Hold Me Tight and Flamingo, a moody Story Book Children, some bluesy honky-tonk, and the far-eastern stylings of Sling Shot, to close.
Winston Matthews, Lloyd McDonald and George Haye — Wailing Souls to be. From 1966, this is classic vocal rocksteady, one of the certified gems in the Merritone catalogue. Backed with unreleased ska.