Lovely instrumental version of the 1968 Hamlins’ tune “I Don’t Care at All.” The UK issue of the Johnny Moore version is on Doctor Bird. The flip is the same on both the UK and Jamaican issues — a DJ version of The Uniques “Secretly.”
Today’s featured record is the instrumental flip-side of the glorious “Not for a Moment.” The 1968 Coxsone label ‘Man Pon Spot” differs from the song of the same name released on Bamboo in 1970, but both feature Jackie Mittoo on organ.
Posted in Rocksteady, Sound Clips
Tagged 1968, Coxsone, jackie mittoo, Rocksteady, soul vendors
The Beltones had a fourth member, Rudolph Simmonds (nicknamed “Bop” and “Mr. Legs”) in their early Coxsone days and recorded songs under the name “Bop and the Beltones.” The song featured in this post is pure rocksteady bliss, with lovely vocal harmonies and romantic lyrics.
Many thanks to Trevor Shields for the additional information.
The Beltones were a vocal group that recorded for Coxsone Dodd, Harry Johnson, and Sonia Pottinger during the rocksteady and early reggae years. Their most famous release was undoubtedly “No More Heartaches,” released in 1968 on the Harry J imprint in Jamaica and Trojan in the UK. This great Duke double-sider was also produced by Harry Johnson and features Trevor Shields on lead vocals, backed by Keith Mitchell and Owen Laing.
Thanks to Trevor Shields for the corrections from my original post and for the additional information.
Just a quick post about the content available on the Reggaedelic Sounds website.
All sound clips are limited to 90 seconds. These files are for your personal listening pleasure, and are NOT for redistribution.
The content of this site is copyright. While linking the site is perfectly acceptable and encouraged, reposting sound files, images, and text contained herein is not.
That’s the end of the “rules,” now back to the music!
The West Indians, a group which included singer Eric Donaldson, formed during the rocksteady era. They recorded their first tunes for J.J. Johnson, including the two Doctor Bird sides featured in this post.
“Falling in Love” has a much different feel from a typical rocksteady tune. The bass and drums are still at the forefront, but the drummer plays burru style through the song’s entirety. Combined with the vocals, the sound is both haunting and lovely.
The flip side, “I Mean It,” is a nice, mellow rocksteady number.
The release on Doctor Bird will probably run 30 GBP or more, although cheaper ones slip through on occasion. The two sides are also available on the Jamaican J.J. label.
Posted in Rocksteady, Sound Clips
Tagged 1968, doctor bird, jj, Rocksteady, west indians
And now for the other side of “I Need Your Loving.” “Buttoo” is a great uptempo reggae tune with a deep bass line that gallops along. Plus any song that has lyrics about miniskirts is tops in my book…although these ladies are apparently not all that!
Posted in Early Reggae, Sound Clips
Tagged 1969, Blue Cat, Concords, reggae, rupie edwards
“I Need Your Loving” is the B-Side of Buttoo, a scorching double-sider released in 1969 on the Blue Cat label (A-Side spelled “Bettoo” on the UK issue). This Rupie Edwards produced gem features a young Gregory Isaacs and on vocals, joined by Penro Bramwell. The horns and vocals are an excellent compliment to one another, and while the rhythm is fast, the lyrics and feeling of the tune is pure sweetness.
The Concords issued a few other tracks, including Don’t Let Me Suffer and Red Sun Rise (Success RE 904, 1970; also released with same sides on JA Success). All sides are worth a listen.
“I Need Your Loving” on Blue Cat in VG+ condition will probably run about 60 GBP. The same sides were released on JA Success, and the pre-release can be picked up for substantially cheaper ($40 to $60 USD).
