Federal Records is generally considered to be responsible for birthing Rocksteady in the 1960’s, but Jamaica’s first recording studio also had a nice little side-thing going for jazz records at the same time. New Dub Store compilation Jamaica Jazz from Federal Records: Carib Roots, Jazz, Mento, Latin, Merengue & Rhumba 1960-1968 collates some crucial cuts from the period. Features Ernest Ranglin, Count Owen & His Calypsonians, Cecil Lloyd and many more.

Federal Records is generally considered to be responsible for birthing Rocksteady in the 1960’s, but Jamaica’s first recording studio also had a nice little side-thing going for jazz records at the same time. New Dub Store compilation Jamaica Jazz from Federal Records: Carib Roots, Jazz, Mento, Latin, Merengue & Rhumba 1960-1968 collates some crucial cuts from the period. Features Ernest Ranglin, Count Owen & His Calypsonians, Cecil Lloyd and many more.

2 x vinyl LP available in store and online.

Soon come. Preorder here. Originally scheduled for release in 1966, ‘The Ska (From Jamaica)’ album remained lost for well over half a century before the ” master tape was finally discovered in the Trojan archives in 2019. Comprising a dozen top-quality tracks, the collection features numerous musical talents now widely regarded as Jamaican legends, their number including the Maytals, Ken Boothe, Clancy Eccles and Derrick Harriott.

Soon come. Preorder here. Originally scheduled for release in 1966, ‘The Ska (From Jamaica)’ album remained lost for well over half a century before the ” master tape was finally discovered in the Trojan archives in 2019. Comprising a dozen top-quality tracks, the collection features numerous musical talents now widely regarded as Jamaican legends, their number including the Maytals, Ken Boothe, Clancy Eccles and Derrick Harriott.

Originally scheduled for release in 1966, ‘The Ska (From Jamaica)’ album remained lost for well over half a century before … More

Born OTD in 1946, Cuban-Jamaican singer, Rita Marley. “..When Beverly would travel to Studio One from Trench Town she says she and the Wailing Wailers would take a short cut through the Calvary Cemetary & pass Rita Anderson’s home…. Not only did Beverly help launch their career, but her connection also brought Rita Anderson & Bob Marley together. They were married on the 10th February, 1966.”

Born OTD in 1946, Cuban-Jamaican singer, Rita Marley. “..When Beverly would travel to Studio One from Trench Town she says she and the Wailing Wailers would take a short cut through the Calvary Cemetary & pass Rita Anderson’s home…. Not only did Beverly help launch their career, but her connection also brought Rita Anderson & Bob Marley together. They were married on the 10th February, 1966.”

In a music world that was rougher than rough, where men took monikers of royalty and machismo like Duke and … More

While Montego Bay natives Jackie Bernard, his brother Footy Bernard and cousin Lloyd Kerr recorded under various guises in the early ’60s, their collective arrival as The Kingstonians in 1967 marked a sea change not only in the vocal trio’s productivity and popularity, but also in the emerging Reggae sound. The Kingstonians made several chart-topping singles between 1968 and 1970, including the massive hit “Singer Man” whose success ultimately led to the release of their sole LP, Sufferer.

While Montego Bay natives Jackie Bernard, his brother Footy Bernard and cousin Lloyd Kerr recorded under various guises in the early ’60s, their collective arrival as The Kingstonians in 1967 marked a sea change not only in the vocal trio’s productivity and popularity, but also in the emerging Reggae sound. The Kingstonians made several chart-topping singles between 1968 and 1970, including the massive hit “Singer Man” whose success ultimately led to the release of their sole LP, Sufferer.

Originally issued on Trojan, Sufferer collects a dozen of The Kingstonians’ best-known songs. Produced by Derrick Harriott, these truly boss … More

Born OTD in 1932, Jamaican ska trombonist, composer & founding member of The Skatalites, Don Drummond. This is a comprehensive biography of a brilliant musician & his lover who forever shaped the course of ska, reggae, & popular music worldwide despite poverty, class separation, mental illness, racial politics, exploitation, & sexism that resulted in murder. Through the words of Drummond’s childhood friends, classmates, musicians, medical staff, legal counsel, & teachers, comes a first-hand story of his “unusual mind.” They recall the early days in the recording studio, playing the instrumental backup for Bob Marley & others, & the nights in the Rasta camps where musicians burned the midnight oil & more.

Born OTD in 1932, Jamaican ska trombonist, composer & founding member of The Skatalites, Don Drummond. This is a comprehensive biography of a brilliant musician & his lover who forever shaped the course of ska, reggae, & popular music worldwide despite poverty, class separation, mental illness, racial politics, exploitation, & sexism that resulted in murder. Through the words of Drummond’s childhood friends, classmates, musicians, medical staff, legal counsel, & teachers, comes a first-hand story of his “unusual mind.” They recall the early days in the recording studio, playing the instrumental backup for Bob Marley & others, & the nights in the Rasta camps where musicians burned the midnight oil & more.

They roam the halls of the primitive and haunting mental hospitals; remember the gyrations of his lover, Margarita, the Rumba … More

Born OTD in 1936, Lester “Ska” Sterling, AKA, Mr. Versatile. Like many Jamaican musicians of his generation, Sterling attended the Alpha Boys School. Sterling is a founding member of The Skatalites (playing alto saxophone), one of only two (the other is Doreen Shaffer) still alive. After The Skatalites originally disbanded in 1965, Sterling played with Byron Lee & the Dragonaires and recorded several solo singles for the London-based producer “Sir” Clancy Collins. His debut solo album, Bangarang, was released on Pama Records in 1969.

Born OTD in 1936, Lester “Ska” Sterling, AKA, Mr. Versatile. Like many Jamaican musicians of his generation, Sterling attended the Alpha Boys School. Sterling is a founding member of The Skatalites (playing alto saxophone), one of only two (the other is Doreen Shaffer) still alive. After The Skatalites originally disbanded in 1965, Sterling played with Byron Lee & the Dragonaires and recorded several solo singles for the London-based producer “Sir” Clancy Collins. His debut solo album, Bangarang, was released on Pama Records in 1969.

Behind Jamaica’s musical reverberation lies the unlikely story of a boarding school run by Roman Catholic nuns and a brass … More

Some extremely good goodies to be found here in this 7” box-set by Treasure Isle, in which the catalogue is raided for amazing recordings that, for one reason or another have never been released before despite featuring some of the finest artists in the game. Ten 7’s, housed in a lovely box with an intriguing essay to provide context.

Some extremely good goodies to be found here in this 7” box-set by Treasure Isle, in which the catalogue is raided for amazing recordings that, for one reason or another have never been released before despite featuring some of the finest artists in the game. Ten 7’s, housed in a lovely box with an intriguing essay to provide context.

Ten 7″ discs comprising previously unreleased cuts and rare alternate versions of 20 killer ska tracks, direct from the vaults … More

From the creator of the amazing Prince Buster discography, comes one dedicated to Bob Marley’s extensive work. This book is 170+ full colour pages of JA singles and albums with over 500 Bob vinyl’s illustrated and some 350+ illustrations of records from his actual and his musical family: Rita, Judy, Peter, Marcia, Bunny & Ziggy & co.

From the creator of the amazing Prince Buster discography, comes one dedicated to Bob Marley’s extensive work. This book is 170+ full colour pages of JA singles and albums with over 500 Bob vinyl’s illustrated and some 350+ illustrations of records from his actual and his musical family: Rita, Judy, Peter, Marcia, Bunny & Ziggy & co.

Tells the story from 1962 to 1990. New release pre-order here.

Pat Kelly out of all the Jamaican singers was influenced most by the voice of American soul singer Sam Cooke. As were indeed many of the singers from that time, few however could carry out this daunting task as well as Pat Kelly. His delivery was perfect and so was his ability to carry any song that came his way.

Pat Kelly out of all the Jamaican singers was influenced most by the voice of American soul singer Sam Cooke. As were indeed many of the singers from that time, few however could carry out this daunting task as well as Pat Kelly. His delivery was perfect and so was his ability to carry any song that came his way.

For this release we have focused on material that Mr. Kelly had recorded with legendary Jamaican producer Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee. … More

Once in a while, a man comes along who has the talent not only within one field, but many fields. Lee Perry is such a man. Singer, songwriter and producer. This album is a showcase for what this man is trying to say with his music. Defying convention time and again, Lee has spearheaded musical taste in Jamaica and once again, he comes up with new sounds and dances on this album… The Upsetter.

Once in a while, a man comes along who has the talent not only within one field, but many fields. Lee Perry is such a man. Singer, songwriter and producer. This album is a showcase for what this man is trying to say with his music. Defying convention time and again, Lee has spearheaded musical taste in Jamaica and once again, he comes up with new sounds and dances on this album… The Upsetter.

Classic Trojan album now reissued on vinyl. Originally released in 1969. Heavyweight 180gm vinyl. Available in store and online.