Tag: Rocksteady

The Soulettes "King Street" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Ska #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TheSoulettes #KingStreet #SirCoxsoneDodd #StudioOne #1966 #RitaMarley #constantinewalker #MarleneGifford #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool #Riddim #Caribbean #WomensHistoryMonth

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Soulettes – King Street (1966)

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The Month of March is recognized as “Women’s History Month”. On “Oldies Sunday”, we highlight a number of Women who have made an impact, and significant contributions to music. For today’s selection, we look back at The Soulettes and their track, “King Street“.

Produced by “Sir Coxsone” Dodd and released through Studio One in 1966, The Soulettes were here to tell you where you need to be, and that’s on “King Street”. The group, consisting of Rita Marley, Marlene Gifford and Rita’s cousin (and the only Male in the group) Singer/Musician Constantine “Vision” Walker, invite you to a place where you’re gonna have a ball dancing the night away, making memories, and being in the center of one of the busiest streets in town. No reservation needed, just come with good vibes, and nighttime relaxation. “King Street” sounded like a Commercial, but it found popularity soon after its release. “King Street” would later be featured on the “Studio One Women” compilation project in 2005.

Since the release of “King Street”, The Soulettes would have a moderately successful career, but continued to work with “Sir Coxsone” Dodd, and a number of legends including Lee “Scratch” Perry, Tony Gregory, Lloyd Wilks, and a young Bob Marley along with The Wailers. The group would disband in 1966, but reformed in 1969 until disbanding for the final time in the 1970s. Rita Marley would go on to have a successful career as a member of the I Threes, and as a solo Artist, Constantine Walker would enjoy success over the years as the original member of the The Wailers, Jah Malla, I Performers, and The Rastafarians, and Marlene Gifford would leave The Soulettes in 1969, and provide background vocals for a number of Artists over the years. The Soulettes continue to live on through the music, and listeners still take themselves to “King Street”.

THANK YOU SOULETTES FOR THIS TIMELESS TUNE!

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The Heptones "Party Time" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TheHeptones #PartyTime #CoxsoneDodd #SirCoxsoneDodd #CoxsoneRecords #StudioOne #1968 #OldiesSunday #oldies #oldschool #Caribbean #LeroySibbles #EarlMorgan #BarryLlewellyn

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Heptones – Party Time (1968)

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A few days ago, Jamaica celebrated its 63rd Independence, and we continue to celebrate the strives, the music, the culture, and the Island’s continued influence on the world. Of course on “Oldies Sunday“, we continue to bring the party to you. For today’s selection, we go back in time to check out The Heptones’ “Party Time“.

Produced by “Sir Coxsone” Dodd and released through Studio One/Coxsone Records in 1968, it’s all about having fun in, “Party Time”. The Heptones, consisting of Leroy Sibbles, Earl Morgan, and Barry Llewellyn, provide top tier vocals throughout as they invite us all for good times, good vibes, and joy in an event like no other. If you had a bad day, come to the party and feel alright. “Party Time” quickly found its fanbase during the “Rocksteady” era, and became one of the group’s hits. “Party Time” was included on their 1968 album “On Top“, and their 1977 album of the same name.

Since the release of “Party Time”, The Heptones went on to release more music. The group dealt with lineup changes a number of times which include member Leroy Sibbles’ emigration to Canada, his return, and his departure again to pursue a solo career. The group’s co-founder Barry Llewellyn would pass away in 2011, and introduce two new members, and would release a new project in 2016. There was also tension for a number of years between Earl Morgan and Leroy Sibbles, but no word on them burying the hatchet. “Party Time” would go on to become a classic from the group, and a part of the setlist for the past and present members.

Thanks To The Heptones For This Classic!

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The Paragons "On The Beach" (1967) on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TheParagons #OnTheBeach #TreasureIsle #DukeReid #1967 #JohnHolt #BobAndy #HowardBarrett #GarthEvans #OldiesSunday #Oldies #OldSchool #Riddim #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Paragons – On The Beach (1967)

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It’s Summer, and it’s time to have some fun. How about some music to go with it? Today on “Oldies Sunday“, we’re highlighting a song that you could call a “Summer Song“. We go back in time to check out The Paragons’ “On The Beach“.

Produced by Sonia Pottinger with arrangement by Tommy McCook & The Supersonics and released through Treasure Isle in 1967, it’s time to revel in some fun with The Paragons’ “On The Beach”. The group, consisting of John Holt, Garth Evans, Bob Andy, and Howard Barrett, delivered harmonies and good vibes with their song that painted the picture of days at the beach with friends, playing music to dance all the time to, and having fun like it’s never gonna end. “On The Beach” quickly became a hit for The Paragons, and ended up becoming one of the group’s best releases. The single would later be featured on their 1967 album, “On The Beach With The Paragons“. “On The Beach” would later be sampled by Microphones Killarz, and covered by band member John Holt, Byron Lee and The Dragonaires, and Wayne Wade.

Since the release of “On The Beach”, The Paragons would go on to release more music until John Holt left in 1970 to pursue a solo career. Garth Evans would also leave for solo endeavours, and The Paragons would go through a few band and name changes before disbanding. The group would reform in the late 70s, and would perform over the years. Evans, Holt, and Bob Andy would pass away in 2000, 2014, and 2020 respectively. “On The Beach” would remain one of their biggest releases.

Thank You The Paragons For This Classic!

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Johnny Nash "Hold Me Tight" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #USA #HoustonTexas #Texas #Reggae #Music #13thStreetPromotions #JohnnyNash #HoldMeTight #ReggaeMonth #Caribbean #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool

OLDIES SUNDAY: Johnny Nash – Hold Me Tight (1968)

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February is recognized as “Reggae Month” in Jamaica, and in parts of the world. It is also Black History Month, and on “Oldies Sunday“, we’re celebrating Black Music. Today, we highlight History as we go back to the 1960s to check out American Reggae/Pop/Soul Singer Johnny Nash and his track, “Hold Me Tight“.

Co-Produced with Arthur Jenkins and released through JAD Records in 1968, Johnny Nash is making up with him lady through song in “Hold Me Tight”. Nash admits his mistakes throughout the relationship, and realizes that his lady is the right one for him, so he’s going to do all the right things to make the their union better. “Hold Me Tight” created History as being one of the first Rocksteady singles to be performed and released by a non-Jamaican, and it went on to become a top 5 hit in North America (securing a #1 in Canada), and earning a top 5 placement in the UK. It also paved the way for Nash to release even more Reggae/Rocksteady singles. “Hold Me Tight” was used in Commercials for the Score brand, was sampled by Tanya Stephens and Spragga Benz, and covered by the likes of Gregory Isaacs, Eddie Lovette, Anthony Swete, and Anita Harris.

Since the release of “Hold Me Tight”, Johnny Nash continued to release more albums and singles until the early 80s where he seemed to have disappeared from the spotlight. His career enjoyed some resurgence during the 90s, and started singing again in the 2000s. Johnny Nash passed away in October 2020 after his health started to decline for years. “Hold Me Tight” remains one of his most popular singles to date, and a part of Jamaican Music History.

Thank You Johnny Nash For This Classic!

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Roy Shirley "Hold Them" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #RoyShirley #HoldThem #JoeGibbs #1967 #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Roy Shirley – Hold Them (1967)

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As the Summer season winds down in its final few weeks, we wanted to keep listeners grooving until the end, and we hope to accomplish that with our “Oldies Sunday” selection. Today, we go back to the 1960s with Roy Shirley’s “Hold Them“.

Produced by Joe Gibbs and Lee “Scratch” Perry for his then Amalgamated Records and released in 1967, Roy Shirley was having a party in “Hold Them”. Considered the first Rocksteady single, “Hold Them” was made to get the people moving, and make anywhere a dance floor. Backed by energetic production, the track quickly became a hit locally and Internationally, and topping the music charts for 6 months in Jamaica, but it almost never happened. During the recording stages, Shirley tried to record the song in Ska style, but it wasn’t clicking. He tried to record it with Slim Smith (a friend and bandmate in the group “The Uniques“) and Ken Boothe, but during the failure of that route he was suggested to do it by himself in his own style by Musician/Singer Gladstone “Gladdy” Anderson. The song was rejected by a number of Producers at first, but recording it with Joe Gibbs was a move in a positive direction, and the rest was history.

Since the release of “Hold Them”, Roy Shirley went on to release more music, and perform in various parts of the world. Shirley passed away in 2008, leaving behind a legacy that connects with many today. “Hold Them” remains one of his biggest songs.

Thank You Roy Shirley For this Classic! Sleep Well.

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Phyllis Dillon "Don't Stay Away" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Reggae #Ska #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #PhyllisDillon #DontStayAway #1967 #DukeReid #TreasureIsleRecords #TommyMcCookandTheSupersonics #OldSchool #Oldies #OldiesSunday #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Phyllis Dillon – Don’t Stay Away (1967)

Posted on by swadedavillain

“Oldies Sunday” was made for those who grew up around the Radio, who grew up with Vinyl Records, Cassettes, CDs, MP3 Players, 8 Track, and Music Streaming platforms. In other words, for those who appreciate the music before our time, and those who lived in the time of these tunes. Today’s selection comes from one of Jamaica’s greatest Songbirds. Her name is Phyllis Dillon, and we’re checking out, “Don’t Stay Away“.

Produced by Duke Reid with backing by Tommy McCook and The Supersonics and released through his Treasure Isle Records in 1967, it’s all about a love that has strong hold on someone in Phyllis Dillon’s “Don’t Stay Away”. Dillon shares that if the Man she’s interested knew the extent of her love, he wouldn’t have considered other Women. While there may be other Women who she claims are more beautiful than her and would try to treat him nice, she believes she would do a better job, and he wouldn’t need another. “Don’t Stay Away” was a hit for Phyllis Dillon, was considered “the finest female performance in Jamaican Music“, and was her first Record with Duke Reid. “Don’t Stay Away” was also sampled by Kes The Band for the track, “Tuesday On The Rocks” in 2012 Dillon went on to voice even more music with Duke Reid, acquiring more success along the way.

Since the release of “Don’t Stay Away”, Phyllis Dillon migrated to the United States, and released more music including her debut album, “One Life To Live” while having a career in the Banking sector. She ended her career as a Recording Artist in 1971, but thanks to an invitation to perform in Jamaica in the early 1990s, she developed a renewed interest in recording and performing. By the mid-1990s, a resurgence of Ska music in the United States lead her back into the Studio, and she remained active touring, performing, and recording until her passing on April 15, 2004 after a battle with Cancer. “Don’t Stay Away” remains one of Dillon’s biggest singles, and is still celebrated around the world.

Thank You Phyllis Dillon For This Classic!

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