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| This April we're celebrating the work of a true giant of Jamaican music, the mighty Duke Reid, owner of the famed Treasure Isle studio and record label, and producer of many of the greatest Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae recordings ever released. |
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| TREASURE ISLE PRESENTS |
By way of an introduction to the Duke's truly spectacular catalogue are a trio of 2CD 'Treasure Isle Presents' collections, each of which focuses on one of the main Jamaican music genres that dominated the island's record scene during the sixties and early seventies: Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae.
The Ska set features many of the giants of the era, from the Skatalites to Alton Ellis & the Flames, with almost all of the 40 tracks including a significant Jamaican hit from the period spanning 1962 to 1966.
Unsurprisingly, the Rock Steady collection, which collects hits from 1966 to 1968, is just as strong musically, comprising 40 of the most significant and enduring Jamaican records ever created.
Last, but by no means least, is 'Treasure Isle Presents Original Reggae' - featuring the best of Duke Reid's output from 1968 to 1973, the period when Reggae first took hold in Jamaica. Included are seminal hits by the label's most popular vocalists, instrumentalists and DJs, with the roll call of acts including John Holt, Tommy McCook, Phyllis Dillon, U Roy and Dennis Alcapone.
Each of these essential sets are now available to order from the Trojan shop, priced just £4.99 each, and with the promise of additional titles to follow, now is as good a time as any to start your 'Treasure Isle Presents' collection!
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| EASTER CELEBRATION, SKA STYLE |
Continuing the Treasure Isle theme for April is the next 7" single, which sees issue on April 30th.
By 1962, the Duke was firmly established as one of the major players on the Jamaican music scene, having been among the first sound system operators to try his hand at record production the previous decade.
A noted perfectionist, he employed only the very best musicians and facilities, ensuring a standard of work that few were able to match. Consequently, even the recordings that never made it onto vinyl were significantly superior to those most other music producers could offer. Two such examples are the tracks that comprise this month's limited edition 7" single...
Roland Alphonso's outstanding interpretation of Irving Berlin's 'Easter Bonnet' is a typically fine piece of early Ska from one of the giants of the era, backed by most of those who would soon form the legendary Skatalites band.
The flip, 'Feeling Of Love', is another proto-Ska classic from '62, featuring the pairing of Jamaican legends, Wilburn 'Stranger' Cole and Ken Boothe on what is one of the earliest collaborations.
The 7" single revives the producer's classic 'Duke Reid's' label - inactive for almost half a century - and as with previous 45s in the series, is limited to just 500 copies, pressed on top quality heavyweight vinyl and presented in numbered bags.
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| LAMBRETTA CLOTHING
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Lambretta have just launched an exciting new range of stylish Trojan Records-themed clothing that has just been made available via the company's website and the following selected stockists around the country:
Apparel, Crewe / Oscar's, Skegness / Amparo Victoria Street, Blackpool / Going Under Ground, Halstead / Co-Operative, Chesterfield / Co-Operative Market Place, Ilkeston / Co-Operative, Derby / Cuba, Hartlepool / Carnaby Street, Aberarn / DCM, Middleton / Denim City, Colchester/ Urban Quay, Christchurch / Brookes, Hull / Huckleberry's, Wolverhampton / Jon Barrie, Pontefract / Jon Barrie, York / Ken Jeffrey, St. Helens / Lapel, King Street / Lambretta, Soho / My Guy, Melton Mowbray / Strides, Biggleswade/ S & T Moore, Ballycastle Road / Mayhem, Cambridge / Mckenzie, Port Stewart / Moda & Soda, Brighton / Melrose Co, St. Helier/ Modfather, Chalk Farm Road / Que, Ripley / Quest, Clothing Bangor / Rigout, Guildhall Shopping Centre / Designer Warehouse, Winthorpe / Styleast, 11 Olds Approach / Smiff's, Brentwood / Urban Fashions, Tamworth / Wigwam, Blackpool
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| DENNIS BROWN PLAQUE |
This coming Easter Saturday, 7th April, the legacy the Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Emmanuel Brown, will be acknowledged with the unveiling of a commemorative blue plaque at the London home in Hazeldean Road, Harlesden, which he shared with his musician brother.
Organised by the Nubian Jak Community Trust as part of Jamaica 50th independence anniversary celebrations, the plaque has the support of the Jamaica High Commission, the Federation of Reggae Music (FORM), and Brent Council.
The unveiling, to take place between 3pm and 4pm, will be performed by Dennis' widow, Yvonne and brother, Leroy Brown along with other family members, and is to be followed by a reception at the nearby Unity Centre in Church Road, where as well as speeches, performances and tributes to the singer, a screening of the singer's only tour of Africa will make its world premier.
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COMPETITION |
And finally, there's another week to go before we announce the winner of the competition to win an exceedingly limited pre-release copy of March's 7" single, so keep an eye on your mailboxes shortly after the Easter break, as we'll also be setting a new contest to win an equally rare copy of this month's 45s!
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