Legendary Singles Selection

This time no discography, but just a selection of legendary singles…

Again please note, this is not a Top 10 (there are 13 singles presented this time), but a selection of killer, rare and obscure roots singles…

There is thus no preferably or chronological order, the following singles are sorted alphabetically of the labels...

Enjoy the pictures and the music ... This is strickly roots music !!! please do not ask, there will be no recordings done for this titles, as it took years sometimes decades to find them....this is for strickly personal use...thanks for understaning....

TALENT 77 (DR 4132 A DT / DSR 4133 B DT) JAM 1977

The Bandolos – Stronger Strong / Version

Prod by Tommy Cowan

Comment : Probably the same vocalists as on the Soul Sounds version, as the vocals and harmonies are very very close (again could be Abyssinians or Carlton's), using an unknown name : The Bandolos.

BLANK SOUL SOUNDS (FWW 7937 A/B FRM) JAM 1971

The Versatiles – Stronger Strong / Version

Prod by Willie Williams

Comment : Alternative version of the title below, different horns section overdubbings and alternative lead vocal and harmonies.

JACKPOT (FBL 8091 A FRM ) JAM 1974

Leroy Smart – God Helps The Man

Produced by Bunny Lee

Comment : Single never issued with any credit on label, B side has no dub version, but the following title : Stranger Cole - Where Sambo Live (FBL 7991 A FRM).

HARRY J (HJ 2868 A / B ) JAM 1975

Spiritual Movements – Serious Time / Version

Produced by Harry Johnson

Comment : A duet, composed just for one session by Rudolphe "Ruddy" Mowatt and by Keith Goode

JJ PRE (WIRL JJ 3114-1 ) JAM 1967

The Rulers – Let My People Go

Produced by Carl Johnson

Comment : The only single from this selection released in the 60's , B side has another title by The Rulers : Riding High (What You Gonna Do) (WIRL JJ 3115-1).

CONGO RECORDS (KT 1976 A/B) JAM 1976

Two Plus One – Jah Say Love / Version

Produced by Keith or Kenneth Thompson

Comment : The Thompson Brothers, better known as Twin Roots, usually singing as a duet offering their harmonies to lead singer Austin "Aussman" Walters to form a vocal trio for this title (2 + 1). Two different colours of labels.

SOUL SOUNDS (FJG 7957 A/B FRM ) JAM 1972

The Gaylads as New Gaylads – A Victory Gift (Turn in Your Arms) / Version

Prod by J Gordon & Willie Williams

Comment : The trio is now called New Gaylads as BB Seaton left the group, Maurice Roberts remains alone now, with the harmonies of Ricky Grant and Randell Thaxter (Thoxer on the label), one of the Thaxter brothers that joined Roberts to continue the trio. Same ridim used later by Ronnie Davis for his title "Beware of Evil Man".

SOUL SOUNDS (FWW 7973 A/B FRM) JAM 1972

The Versatiles – Stronger Strong / Version

Prod by Willie Williams

Comment : Recorded between 1971 and 1972, featuring the two remaining vocalists after Junior Byles left the trio : Dudley Earl and Ben "Louis" Davis, backed by The Wailers aka Rythm Force lead by Familyman Barrett, featuring trombonist Ron Wilson, Bingy Bunny and Bongo Hermann on percussions. The vocals and harmonies are so close to Abyssinians or Carlton's that it could be them but it seems it is the Versatiles.

TRANS-AM (FPT 7952 A/B FRM) JAM 1970

Peter Tosh – Oppressor Man / Version

Prod by Peter Tosh

Comment : Recorded during the Summer 1970 with the backing of The Wailers, this is the first recut of Tosh's "Sinner Man" recorded in 1966 for producer Coxsone Dodd. There will be more later versions, like "Downpressor" for Lee Perry in 1971 or "Downpressor Man" in 1977.

WELDERS (DL 6060 RRS/ DL 6061 RRS VC) JAM 1975

Mighty Artons – Penetrate / Version

Prod by E Ricketts

Comment : This duo with the lead vocal by D Lawrence called here Mighty Artons is better known as Mighty Stones or Almighty Stones, a small vocal group that cut just a few singles during the mid 70's. Also issued on the Hot Stuff label under the name Almighty Stones, the Welders issue has only be printed to 50 copies

ZADA (DSR 1774 KM / DSR 1775 KM) JAM 1976

Winston Bryan & The Rockers – By The Sweat Of Your Brow / Version

Prod by Winston “David” Bryan

Comment : Alternative title of the single below, this time voiced by Winston Bryan (lead vocalist of The Mavlinks). Same ridim used but the vocals (not the lyrics) are different, as well lead vocal as harmonies. The mix as well is different, recorded 4 years later than the first one, the B side has a real dub version, using effects like phasing, reverb and echoes, more used in 1976. The label has no A side credit, just B side credit (Bread & Butter Version) on both sides.

ZION DISC (DSR COJ 5686-1) JAM 1971

Negus Churchical Host – Run Come Rally

Prod by Sons of Negus

Comment : The first version of Run Come Rally recorded by The Sons of Negus featuring Ras Michael as lead vocalist along with a female tremolo voice. On B side appears "All Ye Saints" with matrix (SN 201), actually the B side of "Come Along" (SN 200) .

ZADA (FWB 7735 A/B FRM) JAM 1972

The Mavlinks – By The Sweat Of Your Brow / Version

Prod by Winston “David” Bryan & Z Hall

Comment : Unknown vocal group that recorded just two singles on the Zada label, two different label colours, red and green...the title on the label has often typographic errors, like "by the sweet" or "by the swert" or "of the brow" or "of your brow".