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Jamaican Reggae, Ska, Rock Steady

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STUDIO ONE TO REISSUE VERSION DREAD, THE DEFINITIVE COMPILATION OF THE LABEL’S DUB B-SIDES

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RARE EXTENDED MIX OF “SURFING” BY ERNEST RANGLIN & THE SOUND DIMENSION PREMIERES AT AQUARIUM DRUNKARD

RED VINYL LP FEATURES TWO PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS NOT INCLUDED ON ORIGINAL LP

LP AND CD AVAILABLE AT ALL RETAIL STORES AND DIGITAL SERVICE PROVIDERS SEPTEMBER 22

“Anyone with an ear for reggae history…will like what they hear.” – PopMatters

“Dance club and reggae fans, DJs and hip-hop mixmasters, this is must-have material for your CD collections…” – Bullz-Eye Music

Out-of-print for over a decade, Studio One announces the reissue of Version Dread, the compilation of some of the finest and most sought-after B-sides from the label responsible for fueling the dancehall crazes in Jamaica. Initially released in 2006 by Heartbeat, the album received acclaim from reggae publications like Downbeat Special, who noted “Version Dread gathers together a selection of some of the best B-side versions to emanate from Brentford Road.” The album is now available for pre-order.

Featuring 18 B-sides of top Studio One singles made for commercial release, the collection includes mixes of the Wailing Souls, Willie Williams, the Abyssinians, and a host of other legendary groups. Also included are two extended mixes: “Never Give Version” by Carlton and the Shoes, and a rare mix of Ernest Ranglin’s “Surfing”, which premiered today at Aquarium Drunkard. Neither of these songs were featured on the original LP.

The title “Version Dread” stems from the fact that on the flip sides of most Jamaican singles were dub versions of the vocal tracks, or what were commonly referred to in Jamaica as “versions.” In the early days, these “versions” were mainly the instrumental track with or without vocals. These were the days when songs were not recorded on multi-track machines. As the technology advanced, more complex mixes of the vocal side became the norm, with echo, flanging and dropouts on the instruments and vocals.

Since 2016, Studio One has been partnered with Yep Roc Records to reissue albums from legendary artists such as The Wailers and The Skatalites, as well as an entirely new compilation from Don Drummond and a deluxe edition of Freddie McKay’s Picture on the Wall. Other releases include a reissue of the rare Money Maker compilation, a House of Joy box set chronicling the history of Studio One, and two broadcasts of the Studio One Radio Show.

For more information on Version Dread and other Studio One releases, please visit http://studioonerecords.com/.

VERSION DREAD
(Studio One)
North America Only
LP, CD, and digital available on September 22, 2017

TRACKLISTING:
1. Ernest Wilson & The Sound Dimension – Why Oh Why Version
2. Sound Dimension – Fire Coal Version
3. Winston & The New Establishment – Creation Version
4. Sound Dimension – Please Be True Version
5. Willie & The Brentford Rockers – Armagideon Version
6. The Soul Vendors – Born to Dub
7. Sound Dimension – Pick Up Version
8. Lloyd Robinson & Brentford Disco Set – It Deep, Pt. 2
9. Sound Dimension – Version Dread
10. Sound Dimension – Declaration Version
11. The Soul Vendors – Things a Come Up to Dub
12. Sound Dimension – Zion Lion
13. Cornel & The Brentford Rockers – Natty Rub a Dub
14. The Heptones & Sound Dimensions – Give Me This Version
15. The New Establishment – Fire Version
16. Basil Daley – Hold Me Baby, Pt. 2
17. Sound Dimension – Train Is Coming, Pt. 2
18. The New Establishment – New Broom, Pt. 2
19. Ernest Ranglin & The Sound Dimension – Surfing (Extended Mix)
20. The New Establishment – Never Give Version (Extended Mix)

Shop the Studio One Sale!

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We’re holding a week-long sale on just about everything in the Studio One store! Get up to 25% off select CDs and LPs, including the House of Joy box set, previously only available for Record Store Day and featuring fifteen 45s, a keychain, poster, and more! Classics from The Wailers, The Skatalites, Don Drummond, and other Studio One staples can be yours now, check out the sale here!

Studio One To Release Deluxe Edition Of Iconic Reggae Musician’s Freddie McKay’s Picture On The Wall

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RARE JAMAICAN SINGLE MIX OF “SWEET YOU, SOUR YOU” PREMIERES AT UNITED REGGAE

LP AVAILABLE FOR LIMITED TIME EXCLUSIVELY AT DISCOGS FOR  INTERNATIONAL REGGAE DAY JULY 1

LP AND CD AVAILABLE AT RETAIL AND DIGITAL SERVICE PROVIDERS AUGUST 11

FreddieMcKay_PictureOnTheWall_COVER (1)

Out of print for over a decade, Studio One announces the release of a deluxe edition of Picture on the Wall, the highly influential debut from reggae musician Freddie McKay. In honor of International Reggae Day on July 1, Studio One will offer Picture on the Wall: Deluxe Edition on LP exclusively for a limited time through Discogs. On August 11, Picture on the Wall: Deluxe Edition LP and CD will be available at retail and digitally at all North American digital service providers.

Originally released in 1971, and showcasing McKay’s unparalleled talent, the deluxe edition features 24 tracks, with many never-before-released on CD or LP. Offering alternate versions, rarities, and extended mixes, this is the definitive collection of Freddie McKay at Studio One. With an extended mix of “Love Is a Treasure” and a version of “Picture on the Wall,” featuring the stylings of Prince Junior, these rarities from the Studio One vaults shine new light on McKay’s brilliance.

As one of the earliest examples of McKay finding his voice and offering a taste of the vibrant single mixes, the never-before-released on CD or LP, rare Jamaican single mix of “Sweet You, Sour You” premiered today at United Reggae.

McKay’s untimely death in 1986 cut short a highly promising career. Working with the legendary Coxsone Dodd and backed by the Soul Defenders, McKay made his authentic, rocksteady sound visible throughout Picture on the Wall. Many of the songs that initially caught Dodd’s attention, such as “High School Dance” and the title track, are found here.

Since 2016, Studio One has been partnered with Yep Roc Records to reissue albums from legendary artists such as The Wailers and The Skatalites, as well as an entirely new compilation from Don Drummond. Other releases include a reissue of the rare Money Maker compilation and two broadcasts of the Studio One Radio Show.

Discogs, the largest online database of music releases, recently surpassed five million artists accounted in their database, as well as featuring information on over eight million releases across more than one million labels.

FREDDIE McKAY

PICTURE ON THE WALL: DELUXE EDITION

(Studio One)

North America Only

LP available for order at Discogs on July 1, 2017

LP, CD, and digital available on August 11, 2017

TRACKLISTING:

  1. Picture on the Wall
  2. You Are Not the Kind
  3. Love Is a Treasure
  4. Father Will Cut You Off
  5. So Long Forever
  6. You’ll Be Sorry
  7. High School Dance
  8. Slip Away
  9. Old Joe
  10. A Little Bit Will Do
  11. Can’t Go On
  12. Watch Your Step
  13. Drunken Sailor
  14. Drunken Sailor (Version)
  15. You’ll Be Sorry (JA Single Mix)
  16. You’ll Be Sorry (Version)
  17. Picture on the Wall (JA Single Mix)
  18. Picture on the Wall (Version)
  19. Picture on the Wall (Vers. 3) (Featuring Prince Junior)
  20. I Am a Freeman (aka I Am Free, Freeman)
  21. Sweet You, Sour You (JA Single Mix)
  22. Old and Grey (aka When I Am Grey)
  23. My True Love
  24. Love Is a Treasure (Extended Mix)

New Don Drummond Compilation, “Don Cosmic”, coming 7/14

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PRE-ORDER TODAY.

Don Cosmic is a new Studio One compilation that chronicles the legacy and influence of Don Drummond, one of Jamaica’s most legendary performers during the ska era. This collection features a handful of Don Drummond rarities, many of which have never been featured on prior albums. You can hear Drummond’s timeless sound all across the Studio One catalog, and Don Cosmic is the perfect vehicle for shedding light on the trombonist’s unrivaled legacy.

Highlights:

  • The ultimate collection of Don Drummond’s essential and hard-to-find material
  • Liner notes by Studio One and Heartbeat Records personality Chris Wilson
  • Booklet discussing Drummond’s legacy and history included
  • Originally compiled by Clement Dodd with Chris Wilson
  • Digital download included with LP
  • All material remastered

Pre-Order Don Cosmic now and get free shipping!

Street date: 7/14/17

Track list:

1. Don Drummond & His Group – Roll on Sweet Don

2. Don Drummond – Don Cosmic

3. Don Drummond – Coolie Boy

4. Don Drummond – Surplus

5. Don Drummond – The Shock

6. Don Drummond & His Green Landers – Schooling the Duke

7. Don Drummond – Reload

8. Don Drummond – Last Call (Take 1)

9. Don Drummond – Last Call (Take 2)

10. Don Drummond & the Skatalites – Far East (aka Further East / Trolley Song)

11. Don Drummond – Green Island

12. Don Drummond – Jet Stream

13. Don Drummond – The Rocket

14. Don Drummond & the Skatalites – Scrap Iron

15. Don Drummond – Rain or Shine (Take 1)

16. Don Drummond – Rain or Shine (Take 2)

17. Don Drummond – Rain or Shine (Take 3)

18. The Cecil Lloyd Group featuring Don Drummond – Grooving with the Beat

19. Workshop Musicians – Serenade in Sound

ORDER NOW: THE SKATALITES – FOUNDATION SKA

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FoundationSka_COVER

For Foundation Ska’s 20th anniversary, Studio One is excited to be issuing it for the first time since it’s original pressing. This edition comes with a booklet chronicling the history of the Skatalities, six scare Skatalites tracks not included on the original release, and liner notes by Studio One and Heartbeat Records personality Chris Wilson.

Foundation Ska is one of the top compilations to explore the greatness of the legendary Skatalites. This top-tier Jamaican ska band featured the cream of the island’s musicians in a true supergroup. Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, and Johnny Moore were already recognized as the best players on the island and Don Drummond’s legendary status eclipsed them all. Adding Lloyd Knibbs and Lloyd Brevette as the rhythm section and Jackie Mittoo on piano, the Skatalites’ greatness was unrivaled.

The reissue of this 1997 album, long out of print, is now a strictly Studio One affair with the inclusion of six hard-to-find tracks from the label. A true slice of ska history, these songs sound as fresh today as they did when first released in the early sixties. Including a history of the group and song notes along with its mix of top songs and vocals, this album is a must have for all ska fans.

The Skatalites were the first and only Ska supergroup. During 1964 and 1965 they recorded more hits together than any other musical aggregation in Jamaica’s history. Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso and Tommy McCook remain as three of the legends of Jamaican music to this day.

The thirty-two top hits on this collection feature their years with the legend of Ska, Sir Coxsone Dodd, the Downbeat. Their collaboration produced hits for both the Skatalites themselves and singers such as The Wailers, Jackie Opel and a host of others.

Here are the hits that fueled their legendary status in Ska circles and have made them favorite’s the world over more than forty years later. Foundation Ska brings the picks of the past to life again. Fire Hot Ska!

Produced by Clement S. Dodd.

Executive Producer: Carol Dodd for Studio One

Reissue Coordination: Chris Wilson for Studio One.

Research by David “Dro” Ostrowe. A light gone too soon.

Recorded at Federal Records and Studio One, Kingston Jamaica.

 

The Studio One Radio Show Out Now

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Print

Studio One Radio Show presents two rare performances recorded for Studio One by the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation and presented by Winston “The Whip” Williams during the late seventies.

Broadcasted on Saturday these shows were intended to showcase recent releases and to advertise the various Studio One locations and their products. The shows lasted half an hour and featured artists like Ken Boothe, The Heptones, and Sugar Minott who was the leading Studio One artist at the time. VP5PZ was Jamaica’s first radio station. Later Radio Jamaica and Re-Diffusion was formed in 1950 by British Rediffusion in collaboration with the Jamaican Government to replace VP5PZ. Started in the 1930’s as a one-man operation, by May 1940 VP5PZ/ZQI had begun operating daily with a small staff. RJR was known for its speakers hung from trees that allowed those without radios to hear; unfortunately the speakers didn’t turn off. RJR was the commercial station until 1956 when the JLP run government formed the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation in competition and as a vehicle to disseminate its information.

Jamaican radio in the 1950’s played almost exclusively songs from either Britain or the United States. In 1953 one of the biggest songs in Jamaica was Patty Page’s “How Much Is That Doggy In The Window” and it remained a radio staple up until the early sixties. In 1959 95% of the records played on the radio were from outside the island but this was changing and by December 1960 around 30% of the songs were produced in Jamaica. The number one song on the hit parade of December 23, 1960 was the Studio One release of the Mellow Larks, “Time To Pray”. One big factor for change was the formation of the radio show “Teen Age Dance Party” by Sonny Bradshaw, broadcast six days a week from 4-5pm on JBC. This show revolutionized youth culture in Jamaica by allowing songs other than the foreign playlists to be played. So Jamaican music was being heard for the first time outside of the dances and one of the early records played was Laurel Aitken’s “Boogie In My Bones”. The inclusion of the “Hit Or Miss” segment allowed the kids to judge the latest releases. The shows theme song was American Ernie Freeman’s “Live It Up” known in Jamaica as “Beard Man Shuffle”. Another big radio show was the Australian produced “Portia Faces Life” which remained on air throughout the sixties, and who can forget Reverend Pronger’s Sunday morning show of eclectic albeit thoroughly obscure English hymns.

Jamaican radio in the early years was not supportive of the music made on the island. Literally most of the songs recorded never got any airplay whatsoever, and some were banned outright without a single spin. Therefore the prodigious output of Studio One material was, by necessity, created exclusively to be played at sound system dances. Most small producers could expect no airplay while a small number of songs from the major players like Federal, Treasure Isle, and Studio One would be played. Up until the 1970’s there were heated discussions about the amount of U.S. soul hits being played on the radio. It was in this climate that Studio One’s Clement Dodd as well as Duke Reid and Lee Perry, started purchasing time from the radio stations to play their material uninterrupted. The favored radio jock for Studio One was Winston Williams nicknamed “The Whip With The Solid Kick”.

Winston Williams went to Kingston College on North St graduating in 1958. He started working at Alcan in Mandeville leaving to join RJR in 1962. By 1963 he was with Carlos Malcolm as the MC during the band’s residency at the Sombrero Club and in its trips outside of Jamaica to Trinidad, Barbados and Puerto Rico. In 1967 he began working at Z.N.S FM in the Bahamas as the host of the popular “Music To Remember” show. He joined JBC in 1969 at the departure of Jeff Dixon, then the swingiest DJ on Jamaican radio. His slot was 2:30 to 6.00 during the weekdays known as the Winston Williams Show. In 1971 he hosted the show “Rolling Home” from 4.30 to 7pm that featured “news, views and interviews”. He won the “El Suzie Red Stripe Award” in 1972 as the best DJ as well as numerous other awards.

The first of the two Studio One Radio Shows was known as the “Sound Of Young Jamaica” and featured Winston Francis, The Boss, Jerry Jones, The Heptones, Ernest Ranglin, Horace Andy and Burning Spear. The second show, known as Soul Power and Sound, features Sugar Minott, Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, The Heptones and Carlton & The Shoes.

 

Produced by Clement Dodd.
Executive Producer: Carol Dodd for Studio One.
Album supervision by Chris Wilson for Studio One.
Mastered by Toby Mountain at Northeastern Digital Recording. Southborough, Mass.
MC: Winston Williams.
Engineer: Donnie Grant.
Recorded at Studio One and the J.B.C Studios, South Odean Avenue. Kingston, Jamaica.

Order the Studio One Radio Show from the Studio One Store, or pick it up on iTunes, Amazon, and more.

Money Maker Album Out August 5 featuring Im and David, Ernest Ranglin, Jackie Mittoo, Lloyd Williams and more

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MoneyMaker_COVER (1)

Legendary reggae label, Studio One, is currently reissuing their catalog in North America via Yep Roc Music Group.

The second album in the queue is the Money Maker LP/CD. To be released onAugust 5th, it features a more defined soul and jazz sound for Studio One. Arguably one of the rarest albums in the catalog, Money Maker is mostly instrumental versions of early Studio One rhythms made famous by groups like The Heptones, The Wailing Souls and John Holt. The album features performances by the Studio One house bands (The Sound Dimension, The Soul Brothers and The Soul Vendors) joined by Im and David, guitarist Ernest Ranglin, Lloyd Williams, Jackie Mittoo and”The Boss” himself, Coxsone Dodd. The original 1970 release was pressed in limited quantities and remained out of print until 2002 when a limited edition including extra tracks was released. Remastered from the original session tapes, this reissue is presented with it’s original track listing and iconic “cash” cover.

Kicking off the reissue campaign on May 27th were The Wailers and their debut album The Wailing Wailers featuring Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston — “Not only does The Wailing Wailers highlight the first major recordings of Bob Marley, but the happy, bouncy, optimistic sound is also the sound of post-independence Jamaica.” – Pitchfork Review

Future releases include the never before released Studio One Radio Show, which is two 1970’s radio episodes recorded for Studio One by the Jamaican Broadcasting Corporation featuring beloved host, Winston “The Whip” Williams. Also available will be a Don Drummond collection and a “House of Joy” box set to celebrate the label’s over 60 years of existence.

Founded by Clement “Coxsone” Dodd in the late 50’s, Studio One was one of Jamaica’s most renowned recording studios and record labels, helping to pioneer ska, rocksteady, dub and dancehall. The label discovered and released music from The Skatalites, The Wailers, Delroy Wilson, Jackie Mittoo, The Maytals, Jackie Opel, The Gaylads, Alton Ellis and more. Throughout the years, countless songs have been sampled and covered from the catalog including, “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth, The Clash’s cover of “Armagideon Time” and “Smile” by Lily Allen, just to name a few.

Money Maker Tracklisting
1. Money Maker – Im and David
2. Black Is Black – Im and David*
3. Soul Brother – Im and David*
4. Black Man’s Train – Lloyd Williams*
5. Great Gu Gu Mu Ga (Great Gu Ga Mu Ga) – The Boss* (Coxsone Dodd)
6. Feel It – Jackie Mittoo
7. Mixing – Jackie Mittoo*
8. Candid Eye – Im and David
9. Stormy Night – Jackie Mittoo*
10. Soul Walk – Im and David

*Featuring Ernest Ranglin on guitar

Musicians: The Sound Dimension, The Soul Brothers and The Soul Vendors
Produced by Clement Dodd
Engineered by Sylvan Morris and Clement Dodd
Executive Producer: Carol Dodd
Reissue supervision by Chris Wilson for Studio One
Mastered by Toby Mountain at Northeastern Digital

Pre-Order Money Maker from the Studio One store or digitally.