Mighty Diamonds - Have Mercy / Version

Jamaica's recorded music output can be divided into a few distinct eras. The country's style was mainly mento music in the 50s, a distinct folk music unique to Jamaica. As US r&b and Latin jazz records began to come in to the country, the early 60s saw the mixture develop in to ska, which was at it's prime roughly from 1964-1966. By 1967, the uptempo ska had slowed down considerably for the rocksteady era that lasted through the end of the decade. Much of the 70s reggae took the rocksteady sound and added to it- the Rastafari doctrine. This is where The Mighty Diamonds Come In.

The "Have Mercy" single was one of their breakout singles. Released in 1976, it landed them a full album that took the song as its title track. Both the song and the album have tremendous harmonies and a lyrical mix of Rastafari, political, and romantic lyrics. The tone and delivery of the lead singer, Donald "Tabby" Shaw, in this song stand above the mix. These guys became one of the biggest names of the mid to late 70s and still perform to this day; they toured the US through 2008 and are touring California as of Feb 2009.

One of their very first singles, "Oh No, Baby," was recorded and released in 1969 under the name 'Tabby & The Diamonds' with producer Stranger Cole and didn't sell well (ie not many are still around). Lucky for us I managed to find a copy, although a beaten up one, and I'll have it up soonish.

Listen and download here:
A-side: Mighty Diamonds - Have Mercy
B-side: Mighty Diamonds - Version

Junior Parker - If You Don't Love Me / I Can't Forget About You

Junior Parker comes from Memphis, TN and developed his chops in the booming blues scene with the famed harpist Sonny Boy Williamson as his mentor. His first band, Little Junior's Blue Flames, garnered some success and landed a handful of singles with Sun Records between 1951 and 1953. Parker moved to Duke, a Houston-based label, in 1953 and would stay for over a decade. After a stint of releases under the name "Little Junior Parker," he moved on to Junior Parker in 1961 and these two tracks come from two years later in 1963.

Both of the tracks are absolutely great songs - two well orchestrated, rock solid, funky-blues rhythms with punchy brass and cheeky background singers. Parker's voice and inflictions are flawless through both and his years of experience shine here. He continued to record until his unfortunate death in 1971 and was posthumously inducted into the blues hall of fame in 2001.

More singles from Junior Parker on the way!

Listen and download here:
A-side: Junior Parker - If You Don't Love Me
B-side: Junior Parker - I Can't Forget About You

Martin Luther King, Jr - I Have A Dream / Top Of The Mountain / Excerpt From Zion Hill

Listen and download here:
A-side: Martin Luther King, Jr - I Have A Dream
B-side: Martin Luther King, Jr - Top Of The Mountain
           Martin Luther King, Jr - Excerpt From Speech At Zion Hill

The Ovations - It's Wonderful To Be In Love / Dance Party

My first impression of The Ovations was their Hooked On A Feeling album, a great album. The featured vocalist of the trio, Louis Williams, has an undeniable similarity with Sam Cooke and carries the band through 40 minutes of funky soul and powerfull ballads. If you can find it, "Mr. River" is a phenomenal song from the album, but unfortunately I don't have it to post.

These two songs capture much of the same vocal styling and grooves of that album. "It's Wonderful To Be In Love" was one of their few late 60's chart hits, and is an obvious slow ballad that shows off Williams' singing ability. However, the other side, "Dance Party," is my favorite of the two. This one is more upbeat and full of vocal harmonies, horns, and boogie woogie piano to boot. With Williams' vocals directing the song above it all, this is a great track.

Listen and download here:
A-side: The Ovations - It's Wonderful To Be In Love
B-side: The Ovations - Dance Party

Junior Byles - Fever / King Medious - This World

Excellent! Pristine condition!

Junior Byles began his reggae career with the vocal trio The Versatiles during the rocksteady height of the late 60s. His solo career would take off in the early 70s with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, the talent scout who originally found The Versatiles for rival producer Joe Gibbs. This cover of Peggy Lee's "Fever" comes from 1972 and is downright sexy. The rhythm line has a deep, dirty bass that is overlayed with echoed keys and choppy guitar, giving the track a very dub feel. On top of it all, Byles vocals cut through the mix with a seductively playful sense that completes the feel of the track. No wonder this was one of his biggest hits.

The b-side here, King Medious' "This World" uses the same rhythm track, only slowed down a considerable bit. I can't find any info on him, unfortunately. Nonetheless, its a pretty cool track, but doesn't touch Byles' performance on the flipside.

This disc is a recent repressing, and perhaps thats why the label says Black Art rather than Black Ark. Black Ark was producer Lee Perry's recording playground. Perry is infamous in reggae history and synonymous with innovative, dub heavy techniques. He worked for a time with The Wailers and had the famed Upsetters as his house band. Simply put, you can't know reggae without knowing Lee "Scratch" Perry.

Listen and download here:
A-side: Junior Byles - Fever
B-side: King Medious - This World

Ken Boothe - Freedom Street / Version

Ken Boothe's recording efforts began in 1963 with a song with Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, a popular ska/calypso band that was sent as Jamaica's musical representative to the New York World Fair in 1964. Boothe's solo career would later begin in 1966 at Studio One with the famed Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. After a stint there, he would record for several more producers, including Leslie Kong on this Beverley's release. Boothe remains a popular name in Jamaican music and continued to record in to the 90s.

This is a good upbeat tune, sang with plenty of conviction, about unity and freedom.

"United we stand,
Divided we fall,
Respect your brothers,
Sisters and all...

We're gonna walk, we're gonna walk,
Walk, walk, walk,
Down freedom street"

This is one of my favorite reggae 45s that I have so check it out! The backside is just the instrumental version, but it's notable as the cleanest Beverley's label I have in the collection.

Listen and download here:
A-side: Ken Boothe - Freedom Street
B-side: Beverley's All-Stars - Freedom Version