VARIOUS – Rock Steady Cool (2022 Reissue) – LP – Vinyl

LP Black Vinyl

Rock Steady Cool is another fine collection of Rocksteady hits. The Cool subtitle could not be more relevant to an album, as around 1966, an extreme heatwave hit the Jamaican island. This would not stop the all night dances from going ahead but the jerky Ska Rhythms proved too strenuous of an activity to partake in, so a new slower beat to suit this extreme weather had to be found and the ever resourceful music entrepreneurs came up with the slower paced beat and Rocksteady was born.

This two-year Rocksteady period ran until 1968 and would see some of the power escape from the big three producers, Clement Coxone Dodd, Prince Buster and Duke Reid. It was time to make room for a new wave of up-and-coming producers that also had something to offer the people. Such names as Joel Gibson (Joe Gibbs), Sonia Pottinger, Derrick Harriott and most prolific of them all, Mr Bunny Lee would step forward and add some new musical touches to the island.

Tracklisting:

A1. Train To Vietnam The Rudies
A2. Hey Boy Hey Girl Derrick And Patsy
A3. Bye Bye Love Alton Ellis
A4. Young Love The Imperials
A5. On The Town Bunny And Bunny
A6. Searching Junior Smith
A7. Mini Really Fit Dem The Soul Flames

B1 La La Means I Love You Alton Ellis
B2 Blue Socks Rico
B3 Cover Me Fitz & The Coozers
B4 Rhythm & Soul Bobby Kalphat
B5 Engine 59 The Rudies
B6 Music Be The Food Of Love Derrick Morgan
B7 Ready Steady Cool Fredrick Bell