Sanctuary Records Group - Trojan

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Mark Lamarr Presents – Duke Reid The Trojan – Nuclear Weapon – rare and previously unissued early 60's Ska

Released on 22 April 2003.

"Compiled and annotated by comedian/DJ/TV presenter and Jamaican music fan, Mark Lamarr, this collection features a number of rare and unreleased early Duke Reid-produced recordings from 1962 that were recently unearthed in the Trojan vaults. The quality of the tracks, both in terms of sound and performance, are second to none and illustrate why Reid proved such a popular and enduring figure on the Jamaican music scene. This is definitely one for fans and the curious alike."

Not so sure about this one, it cuts a groove and if that is your thing then you'l go for these obscurities, or if your a completist. Very early cuts 1962 and very much in the rocking, jazzy R'n'b sound of the day featuring all the well known musicians of the day and some very interesting early cuts from some (to be ) sensational vocalists like Alton Ellis and Derrick Morgan. However to quite a high degree it is instrumental. Also many unknown tracks or takes which a a certain degree of interest.

One cut that I would particularly like to highlight is Hold Me Tenderly by Hortense Ellis, rocking and crystal clear and far and away the best track.

Me being me I go for the vocal cuts and it's good to hear particularly Alton Ellis in a doowop style on Chickeroo and the superb styling on We're going rollin. Of amusement value, but also for the false start, is Cosmo & Dennis' Lollipop. The album gets better as it gets down to the vocal cuts. Were in 1962, still very American influenced as we moved out of Doowop into soul, and that divergence is on show here. An emerging Southern Soul influence bit with the vocal styling of earlier harmonies remaining. The Unknowns Crying for my baby, Feeling of Love and He's Coming are also great tracks.

Some of the instrumental's hit home such as Flip Flop and Nuclear Weapon

As Mark says the album is a great game for trying to guess who plays on these tracks, only problem is there are no answers.

Unknown Instrumental - Duke Reid's All Stars

Choo Choo (tk 1) - The Prodigals

Istanbul - Roland Alphonso

Anytime (tk 2) - Unknown

Unknown Instrumental - Duke Reid's All Stars

Chickeroo - Alton Ellis & Eddy Parkins

Flip Flop - Duke Reid's All Stars

Going Down To Cannan (tk 2) - Cosmo & Dennis

Pebble In The Sand - Duke Reid's All Stars

Live And Let Live - Unknown

Unknown Instrumental - Duke Reid's All Stars

I Don't Want To (tk 2) - Frank Cosmo

You Can Depend On Me - Roland Alphonso

Lollipop I'm In Love (tk 1) - Cosmo & Dennis

Nuclear Weapon - Roland Alphonso

Money, We Haven't Got (tk 2) - Unknown

Crying For My Baby (tk 2) - Unknown

Hold Me Tenderly - Hortense Ellis

Feeling Of Love - Unknown

We're Going Rollin' - Alton Ellis & Eddy Parkins

Joannie, I Need You - Unknown

At The party (tk 1) - Derrick Morgan

Sweet Rosemarie - Cosmo & Dennis

Joybells - Derrick Morgan

Bless You (tk 2) - Unknown

He's Coming – Unknown

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