God’s own ska. Cornerstone of the Far East in reggae. (No Augustus Pablo without it.) We put a dubplate mix on Studio One Scorcher; first ever time out for the second take here.

Limber bubblers, with some nice, moody vibes-playing, and chewy reasoning from Carlton Lafters, in a Tenor Saw style and fashion.

Lovely Impressions impressions on the eve of the group’s departure from Brentford Road.

A heavy, rumbunctious, rocking version by a young Monty Alexander, with a tasty eastern tang; plus a terrific rolling shuffle, on the flip.

Dynamite, previously unissued rocksteady version of the monumental Skatalites scorcher from a few years earlier.

Two all-time ska masterpieces: back-to-back fire.

Ducking and diving between London and Kingston JA, Winston Edwards cut the Melodian on the monumental Conquering Lion rhythm in the mid-70s, covering Eddie Floyd. Dark, hurting and self-disgusted… bad tune.

Tremendous, previously-unreleased takes of ska instrumentals by the Soul Brothers.
Rolando Al luxuriating in jazz; a Tommy McCook cha cha cha.

Sublimely versioning the almighty Curtis anthem; with another rocksteady clarion-call on the flip, brassy and more stern, by The Hamlins.

Rollicking, mid-sixties, post-Skatalites ska thriller, led by Bobby Ellis and Roland Alphonso, with slightly different soloing to the original release.
Backed with a charming, forsaken, rare Summertairs: ‘I love you, Errol… come back today… but not too late… Errol, my dear.’

A highlight of the monumental Africa Must Be Free LP, never out on seven before, plus masterful dub. Such a great singer, shot dead at twenty-one during an argument about a stolen food-mixer.

Good advice, beautifully delivered by the pair who had appeared as pre-teens ten years earlier in the film Rockers. Later known as Bitter Roots.

Heavy, slowed-down Green Island excursion, revisited as a duet with the mighty Lennie Hibbert. Originally a Down Beat dubplate special.