ROCKSTEADY

From the dying embers of Ska a new sound arose to herald the dawning of a new age in Jamaican popular music. That sound was Rocksteady and, although short lived in terms of number of years it spanned, it was a truly golden age of musical excellence. Alton Ellis's "Rocksteady" was practically the anthem for Rocksteady. His cool soulful voice epitomizes all the Rocksteady was about, emphasized by the nonchalant tenor sax. At Coast to Coast the audience go for the more up-tempo Rocksteady sound such as "Go to get Away" Paragons, "Foey Man" George Dekker, "Such as life" Lord Creator, "Aren't You the Guy" Gaylads, "Lets Get Together" Johnny and the Attractions, "All My Loving" Prince Buster, "Shake it Up" The Termites and "54-46 Was My Number" The Maytals (original cut)

From his very first single 'Judge Not' to his last recordings Bob Marley has done some fantastic material. That's nearly two decades of music, a true legend. The Wailers recorded many ska hits with the late Coxone Dodd between 1964 - 66. The Wailers' new commitment to Rastafarianism brought them into conflict with Coxsone and, determined to control their own destiny, the group formed their own record label, Wail 'N' Soul. However, The Wailers' business naivety proved too much and the label folded in late '67, but had a few early successes with some great rocksteady singles such as "Don't Rock My Boat", "Man Fe Getta Beatin" Wailers, "Stir it Up"(all first cuts), "Bus Dem Shut" and "Thank You Lord" which can all be heard at DJ Cello's Coast to Coast.

Duke Reid's Treasure Isle studio was responsible for some the best sounds to come out from Jamaica around this time. With the singing talents, of the highest caliber, of Alton Ellis, The Techniques, Phyllis Dillon, The Paragons and with house musicians such as Tommy McCook, Don Drummond and Ernest Ranglin it's hardly surprising that these records still sound as good today as they did then. Some would consider the Rocksteady years to be Treasure Isle's best. Rocksteady's dominance meant that all record labels of the time released music in the genre; Studio One, Bunny Lee and Prince Buster were predominant, with Reid.

Notable solo artists include Delroy Wilson, Ken Boothe and Slim Smith. Other musicians who were crucial in creating rocksteady included keyboard player Jackie Mittoo, drummer Winston Grennan, bassist Jackie Jackson and saxophonist Tommy McCook. At Coast to Coast it's always been a tradition, as the tempo of the night slows down towards the end, whether it be at the Cask & Glass, On the Rocks or the present Fiddlers Elbow to play Rocksteady in the last half hour or so to end the night with the appreciating crowd shouting out for one more. Which is a great tribute to the outstanding works from these great artists.

REGGAE