20 Rocksteady classics

Here are some classic UK-issued 45s from what was in my opinion the highest point of Jamaican music - the rocksteady era that lasted a mere two years from 1966 to 1968. It bridged the gap between ska and reggae and was hugely influential, but it was short-lived. The artists featured (many of them different on A and B sides) are among the most influential of the period. Rocksteady releases on the labels pictured are hard to find in really good condition and highly collectable. Youtube links are provided and there are some absolutely brilliant tracks here.
1. Stranger Cole & Glady - Just Like A River/ The Leaders - Hope Someday.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCWsnkgDP7A   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iedIdHUJKw

2. Roy Shirley - Get On The Ball/ Johnny Moore - Sound And Soul.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIIuseZlnII   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXV5Ex20Sqc

3. Jackie Mitto & the Soul Vendors - Ram Jam/ Summertairs - You Are Gonna Leave Me.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLNyO38Do2Q   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF8UEQ2lm6U

4. The Cool Spoon - Yakety Yak/ Soul Vendors - Drum Song.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl_HawbePjE   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcQh3eCctUI

5. Jennors - Pressure and Slide/ Soul Bros - One Stop.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBLYzFKspNI   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlV1If8oCug

6. Alton Ellis & The Flames - I've Got A Date/ Lynn Tait & Tommy McCook & the Supersonics - The Yellow Basket.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvzthjJI9Xg  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge__0zqJZ9Q  (the King of Rocksteady)

7. Ethiopians - The Whip/ Cool It Amigo.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNs66HoHL9k   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmNKD0ka96o (Classic of the era)

8. Leslie Butler & the Fugitives - Winchester Rocksteady/ Aston Campbell, The Conquerors & Baba Brooks Band - Ramona.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3WocTMlR1g   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijVbnE0R-Pk  (slow B side)

9. Itals - Don't Throw It Away/ Make Up Your Mind.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0LZPOyHkKI   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msqY-onp2g8

10. The Wrigglers - The Cooler/ You Cannot Know.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q3xaJ_S3Q0   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_OmWCFZvXQ

11. Justin Hines & the Dominoes - Rub Up Push Up/ The Ark.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P54FT-ASWPU   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPozwSEBboY (ska, rather than rocksteady)

12. Desmond Baker & the Clarendonians - Rude Boy - Gone Jail/ The Sharks - Don't Fool Me.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbyyHzzKLrY   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjqWLX4Sz4c (doowop B side)

13. Hopeton Lewis - Rock Steady/ Cool Collie.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J_KvCqSNp4   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UmuaalUGKY (classic double sider)

14. Tennors - Ride Your Donkey/ I've Got To Get You Off My Mind.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYKFQ6BcgOE   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex79QQLs5rs (another classic)

15. Heptones - Gunmen Coming To Town/ Tommy McCook & Supersonics - Riverton City.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KEn1itJac4   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPnMxcCfxJ4

16, Rulers - Don't Be A Rude Boy/ Be Good.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_z5FgCuRYE   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR1ZPunqBOo

17. Ethiopians - Dun Dead A'Ready/ Bob Andy - Stay In My Lonely Arms.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYORBTWfrcE   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjdQF4GW0UM (great B side)

18. Phyllis Dillon - Perfidia/ It's Rocking Time.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwNVtMwsoiQ   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVhJMRCVhQA  (great double sider by the Queen of Rocksteady).

19. Techniques with Tommy McCook & Supersonics - My Girl/ Drink Wine.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoPq2GMlBsU   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0yrXMmmk3w

20. The Jamaicans - Peace And Love/ Woman Go Home.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qe9SZLamwI   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-8cNlqnJd4  (another double sided cracker)

JJ Cale and others

Some more music deaths to catch up on, firstly singer/songwriter J J Cale, who has died aged 74. Born in Oklahoma, his early records did not make much impact, including his first UK release
Outside Lookin' In (photo shows the original review copy I received at the time). Later records were more successful, including Crazy Mama, his biggest hit, but it was 1970s albums such as Naturally, Really, Okie and Troubador that made his name, along with his songs recorded by the likes of Eric Clapton, Waylon Jennings and Lynryd Skynryd.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbCDVcPDI0w
From the world of blues we have lost T-Model Ford, who was believed to be well into his nineties, although he was unsure of the year of his birth. He was sentenced to ten years on the chain gang for murder, allegedly had 26 children and only learned to play the guitar when his fifth wife left him and gave him one as a leaving present. He recorded for Fat Possum records from 1997 onwards and played at numerous blues festivals, as well as the Barbican in London a few years back.
A final word, too, for English comedian Mel Smith, who was one of
the stars of Not The Nine O'Clock News and co-starred with Griff Rhys Jones in Alas Smith and Jones.

More photos from Porretta

Here are a few more photos from this year's Porretta Soul Festival.
This is me with Falisa Janaye.

And with Latimore.

With Toni Green and John Marriott.

Harry Grundy and John Marriott, who received the Sweet Soul Music award for their Right Track radio show in Manchester.

At the press conference, here are Latimore, Toni Green and Bobby Rush.

Mitty Collier, Falisa Janaye and Latimore.

Me with Bobby Rush.

Toni Green, Bobby Rush and one of his dancers.

MC Rick Hutton performing Turn On Your Love Light.

Sax Gordon.

Me with Mitty Collier.

Latimore and Bobby Rush on stage together.

Charles Walker and the Dynamites.

Falisa Janaye (always worth another photo!)

David Hudson and Juanita in The Califfo Irish Bar.

Nick Cobban.

Porretta Soul Men

Here are some of my photos of the soul men who performed at Porretta, beginning with the great Latimore.

Next, here is Bobby Rush.

Next we have David Hudson, including one with his new fiance Juanita.

Here is Charles Walker with one photo of the lead guitarist with the Dynamites Bill Elder.

Surprise hit of the show were Japanese band Osaka Monaurail.

Charlie Wood, who wrote the Porretta theme song.

Here is Sax Gordon and the guitarist with his International Soul Caravan Igor Prado.

Finally, here's one of Paul Brown, whose band Heart and Soul did a great job backing the majority of the artists.

Nick Cobban.