Tag Archives: reggae

Beltones (DU 17)

Posted on July 27, 2009 by | 1 Comment

Why Pretend Why Pretend

Home Without You Home Without You

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.

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Posted in Early Reggae, Sound Clips

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The Concords – Buttoo (BS 170 1969)

Posted on July 14, 2009 by | Leave a comment

ButtooButtoo

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!

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Posted in Early Reggae, Sound Clips

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The Concords – I Need Your Loving (BS 170 1969)

Posted on July 9, 2009 by | Leave a comment

I Need Your LovingI Need Your Loving

“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).

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Posted in Early Reggae

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Double Barrel

Posted on July 7, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Double Barrel

And now for the final installment (for now!) of Western Reggae Cover Art — Dave and Ansel Collin’s classic album “Double Barrel” (Trojan TBL 162, 1971). This LP sold very well, as the Double Barrel single was a number one hit in the UK Charts. Mostly funky organ tracks with DJ interludes, with a handful of vocal tracks courtesy of Dave Barker.

Beause of the popularity of this release, a VG+ copy should cost no more than 10 GBP.

Track Listing:

Double Barrel
Wild Bunch
El Frego Bacca
Monkey Spanner Version
My Best Girl
Secret Weapon

I The Third
That Girl
Impossible Mission
Ten To One
I Can Count The Days
Two Four One

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Posted in Features, Western

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Wanted by The Public…

Posted on June 23, 2009 by | Leave a comment

The Outlaw Prince Buster

And now for a fantastic western reggae cover…Wanted By the Public, The Outlaw Sung By Prince Buster (BBLP 822, 1969). This album contains many western-themed reggae tunes, with both vocals and instrumentals. Some earlier ska tracks are also included.

A VG+ copy is usually 60 GBP or more, but occassionally a cheaper one pops up. The UK catalog number is Blue Beat, but the label on the album is Fab.

Track Listing:

Gun The Man Down
The Baddest
Cincinnati Kid
The Sermon
Al Capone
Any More

Happy Reggae
Hold Them
Outlaw
Burke’s Law
Fever
Phoenix City

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Posted in Features, Western

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Hot Shots of Reggae

Posted on June 22, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Hot Shots of Reggae (Front)

And now for another Trojan release featuring a Western gal with her six-shooters on the cover. Hot Shots of Reggae (1970, TBL 128) is a compilation featuring many of Leslie Kong’s classic reggae productions. The songs are classic for a reason, because these “hot shots” make for an enjoyable listen.

Copies of the album turn up frequently, and a VG+ copy will run between 10 and 15 GBP.

Track Listing:

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

Hot Shots of Reggae (Back)

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Posted in Features, Western

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Return of Django

Posted on June 20, 2009 by | Leave a comment

The Upsetters - Return of Django (Front)

The theme continues with yet another Upsetters realease, a reggae band who (along with the Crystalites), released plenty of Western-influenced material. The Return of Django (TRL 19, 1969) includes many of The Upstters most well-known early reggae tracks, including a personal favorite “Night Doctor.”

This album sold many copies and the original is fairly easy to obtain. A VG+ copy should run about 20 GBP.

Track Listing:

Return of Django
Touch of Fire
Cold Sweat
Drugs and Poison
Soulful I
Night Doctor

One Punch
Eight for Eight
Live Injection
Man From M.I.5
Ten To Twelve
Medical Operation

Return of Django (Gatefold)

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Posted in Features, Western

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The Good, The Bad, and The Upsetters

Posted on June 18, 2009 by | Leave a comment

The Good, The Bad, and The Upsetters

Western themed reggae album cover art week continues with another album from the Upsetters, this time on Trojan — The Good, The Bad, and The Upsetters (TBL 119, 1970). Although released the same year as Clint Eastwood, the sound is very different as Lee Perry did not produce the album. Most songs have a funky feel and slower tempo.

The release in VG+ condition should run about 20 GBP.

Track Listing:

Capo
Phil The Fluter
Guns Of Navarone
What Do You Say?
Straight To The Head
Red Or Red?

Mellow Mood
Family Man
Oney (Happy Clap)
Mama Look (Monkey Man)
Snow White
The Good The Bad & The Upsetters

The Good, The Bad, and The Upsetters (Back)

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The Upsetters – Clint Eastwood

Posted on June 17, 2009 by | Leave a comment

***Western Reggae Cover Art Week***

Upsetters Front

There were only two Upsetter albums released on the Pama imprint — Many Moods of the Upsetter (SECO 24, 1970) and Clint Eastwood (PSP 1014, 1970). Both albums feature the organ driven sound characteristic of most early Lee Perry reggae productions, with a mixture of instrumental and vocal tunes. Clint Eastwood, as the name suggests, includes several western-inspired instrumentals. Aside from the title track, the theme is represented by “Return of the Ugly,” “For a Few Dollars More,” and “Taste of Killing.”

The Upsetters’ Clint Eastwood, a classic album, is highly recommended. Once a pricier Pama release, the value seems to have dropped within the last couple years. A VG+ copy should run about 40+ GBP.

Track Listing:

Return of the Ugly
For a Few Dollars More
Prisoner of Love (Dave Barker)
Dry Acid (Intro/DJ by Count Sticky)
Rightful Ruler (Chatting by U Roy w/ Peter Tosh)
Clint Eastwood

Taste of Killing
Selassie (Reggae Boys)
What is This (Reggae Boys, same as “Ba Ba” on Gas)
Ain’t No Love (David Isaacs)
My Mob
I’ve Caught You (Intro/DJ by Count Sticky)

Upsetter Back

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Posted in Features, Western

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