The immediate successor to ska, the soulful, melodic sound of rock steady first developed during the long hot Jamaican summer of 1966 and reigned supreme thereafter for two glorious years before finally being superseded by the more energetic style of reggae.
Despite it's relatively brief period as the island's national sound, the rhythms of many of it's biggest hits have continued to influence and inspire music-makers to the present day, resulting in renewed interest in the sub-genre among record buyers in recent years.
This superb collection features 24 of the most popular recordings of the rock steady era, including the U.K. hits, "007," "Train To Skaville" and "It Miek" and The Maytals' anthemic dance-filler, "54 46 That's My Number."
Pressed on high quality 140-gram vinyl and presented in a stylishly designed sleeve, the album not only provides the ideal introduction to this hugely popular and influential sound but is also a must for established fans of the Jamaican sub-genre, with many of the tracks appearing on vinyl for the first time in decades.
Track Listing
Side A
1. 007 (Shanty Town) - By Desmond Dekker
2. Memories by the Score - By The Paragons
3. I Am the Upsetter - By Lee "Scratch" Perry
4. Somebody's Baby - By Pat Kelly
5. Once Upon a Time - By Delroy Wilson
6. Wrong'em Boyo - By The Rulers
7. Right On Time - By The Sensations
8. I'm In A Rocking Mood - By Austin Faithful
Side B
1. 54-46 That's My Number - By The Maytals
2. Copasetic - By The Rulers
3. Conquering Ruler - By Derrick Morgan
4. Seeing Is Knowing (with Lyn Taitt & The Jets) - By Stranger & Gladdy
5. Baby Baby (5-10-15 Hours) - By Val Bennett
6. People Get Ready Do Rock Steady - By Slim Smith & The Uniques
Side C
1. The Russians Are Coming (aka Take 5) - By Val Bennett
2. A It Mek - By Desmond Dekker
3. Hold Them - By Roy Shirley
4. Winey Winey - By The Kingstonians
5. Lip and Tongue (Alternate Version) - By The Viceroys
6. Girl You Ruff - By The Overtakers
7. Do It to Me Baby - By Lloyd & The Groovers
Side D
1. Return of Django (feat. Val Bennett) - By The Upsetters
2. Train to Skaville - By The Ethiopians
3. Intensified '68 (Music Like Dirt) - By Desmond Dekker & The Aces
4. My Conversation (Stereo) - By The Uniques
5. Over Again - By Stranger Cole & Gladstone Anderson
6. Ride Your Donkey - By The Tennors
7. Judge Dread in Court - By Derrick Morgan
