The Techniques — Queen Majesty (1967)

Rock steady with sweet falsetto harmonies. Yes please. This classic rock steady/reggae tune is a reinterpretation of the 1962 Curtis Mayfield/The Impressions track ‘Minstrel & Queen.’

unouomedudee:

R.I.P. Winston Riley

I’m slowly starting to realize how much influence the music my mom has played around the house has influenced me. I was never even really into reggae, mainly because it was just something I constantly heard. A lot of my mom’s favourite songs, and the songs I heard growing up, were produced by Winston Riley. So it’s weird to think about how someone who I didn’t know of until his death, influenced the way I make songs.

Joya Landis — I Love You True

from Moonlight Lover b/w I Love You True 7” (1968)

Sultry love song by American singer Joya Landis, who cut a few sides at Kingston’s Treasure Isle studio in the late 60s. There’s not a whole lot of info out there about Landis, but the story of Treasure Isle is a good one.

Arthur “Duke” Reid and his wife Lucille ran a liquor store, The Treasure Isle Grocery and Liquor Store, on Kingston’s Pink Lane. In the late 50s, after ten years as a cop, the Duke started spending more time at the shop, and wanted to play music to attract customers.

With sponsorship, he started up his own radio show, ‘Treasure Isle Time,’ a showcase for American R&B. He soon built his own sound system on a truck, carting music and booze to dance parties.

Soon thereafter, he and his wife won a substantial sum in the Jamaican National Lottery, and moved the family business to a new location on Kingston’s Bond Street. The Duke built a recording studio above it, which became a legendary fixture of the Kingston ska and reggae scenes.

But Reid never left his policing days behind. His guns were always on display, and he was known to squeeze off a few rounds—even in the studio—if the need arose. Joya Landis was apparently there during one such episode, and, not impressed by that display, never returned.

Marshall Williams — Norwegian Wood (1968)

from Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd Musical Fever 1967-68

Rocksteady reworking of the Beatles, at the hands of Kingston producer Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd.

Not sure if this was a good idea… or a great idea. It certainly sounds less sentimental.

The Soul Sisters — Wreck a Buddy (1969)

Nora Dean and the Soul Sisters’ response to Prince Buster’s grind-worthy anthem ‘Wreck a Pum Pum.’ Classy!

the keyboard king, Jackie Mittoo

Jackie Mittoo — Juice Box

from Keep on Dancing (1969)

The quality leaves something to be desired but this track is so smoking it’s worth every grainy minute. Like someone dragged the Allman Brothers down to Studio One for a couple weeks and put Jackie Mittoo in charge. This whole album is one stop shopping for groovy dance music. Get it.

I Roy — Hooligan

This song sort of sums up how I’ve been feeling ever since I got back to California… cue, relax, cue again.

If you can make out what he’s saying at the beginning, I’m happy to hear it. “I come to blow your farm!” Anyone?