Songs 2-Tone Taught Us

1. THE CATS-"Swan Lake" UK BAF BAF1 1968/ US Bell 809 1969
This reggae flavored version of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" was introduced to many of us via Madness' cover of their debut LP "One Step Beyond". Based around a classical piano piece it's rocked up with a reggae back beat it was the debut single for The Cats, a six piece act from London and reached #48 in the U.K. charts.

https://youtu.be/9HPPwHZ6sRo

2. PRINCE BUSTER-"Madness" UK Blue Beat BB 170 1963
So many 2-Tone/'79 ska bands covered tunes from Prince Buster's 60's catalog so it was difficult to pick just a few. "Madness" spurned a band of the same name who also covered this track AND paid tribute to the great man himself ("The Prince"). "Madness" was Prince Buster's ninth single for the famous Blue Beat label and what a single. Backed by a slow ska/boogie shuffle beneath Buster's socio-political message it's topped off by a brilliant horn solo.

https://youtu.be/EZC6Ot1MLP0

Scan c/o 45cat.com

3. ANDY & JOEY-"You're Wondering Now" UK R&B JB 162 1964
Vocalists Reuben Anderson and Joanne Dennis aka Andy & Joey cut a handful of less than impressive singles for four different British labels in the mid Sixties. "You're Wondering Now" was their second U.K. single issued on the famous ska label R&B (named so for it's owners Rita and Benny). Most of us learned it from the cover version on the Specials untitled debut LP. The original is a mid tempo ska shuffle duet with a harmonica solo!

https://youtu.be/KwBCu4-6UuA

4. THE FOUR GEES-"Rough Rider" UK President PT 160 1967
Often mistakenly attributed to Prince Buster (who took it upon himself to give himself songwriting credits for it) "Rough Rider" was actually composed by The Equal's Eddie Grant, Derv Gordon and Lincoln Gordon who released the first version of it as The Four Gees. The Beat later covered it, no doubt via Prince Buster's version as it is his name in the songwriting credits of their version. The original is far more poppy and less rocksteady but still swings in no small part thanks to Derv Gordon's vocals.

https://youtu.be/zVhMfioDIp8

5. DANDY-"Rudy A Message To You" UK Ska Beat JB 273 1967
Vocalist Dandy Livingstone cut a slew of 45's in the U.K. for Dice, Blue Beat, Giant, Carnival but it would be on Ska Beat that he would release this legendary stormer (re-titled by The Specials "A Message To You Rudy" on their debut LP). Released in 1967 during the brief craze of songs about "rude boys" (street wise, disaffected young Jamaican youth) "Rudy A Message to You" does not glorify the rude boy culture but is rather a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of wayward ways. It's melody and lyrics/vocals are nothing short of iconic. Incidentally the masterful trombone solo is from Rico Rodriguez, who also contributed his wares on the Specials version as well.

https://youtu.be/7BwNgQ51hSI

6. EDDIE LOVETTE-"Too Experienced" UK London HLJ 10311 1970/US Steady S 124 1969
The Bodysnatcher's covered this one. It was originally cut first in 1968 on Studio One (SO 2063) in the U.K. by Bob Andy as "Experience" and covered the following year by Eddie Lovette (curiously issued in the US in '69 and the U.K. in '70). To my ears it's the Eddie Lovette version with it's more bouncy upbeat feel that sounds closer to The Bodysnatchers cover. Any thoughts, anyone?

https://youtu.be/yabwMC7b1-s

7. THE PIONEERS-"Jackpot" UK Amalgamated AMG 821 1968
The Beat covered this 1968 track on their debut LP "I Just Can't Stop It". Originally cut by the rocksteady trio The Pioneers, "Jackpot" starts out with a trumpet blaring "Reveille" and the catchy chorus of "hip hip hooray". It's brilliant rocksteady rhythm is 100% infectious.

https://youtu.be/EL3_vr46qoc

8. THE CHARMS-"Carry, Go, Bring, Come" UK Island WI-164 1964
The Charms (in actuality Justin Hinds/Hines) was covered by The Selecter on their debut LP "Too Much Pressure". The original is an amazing horn driven ska shuffle that epitomizes 60's ska at it's best with call and response vocals and a lovely chugging beat accented by some brilliant brass playing.

https://youtu.be/tq2X5tjQiBw

9. DANDY-"Let's Do Rocksteady" UK Giant GN 7 1967
Dandy cut this number that was covered by The Bodysnatchers as the flip of his "We Are Still Rude" single on the Giant label shortly after his opus "Rudy A Message To You" single. The Bodysnatchers version is bouncy and carefree while Dandy's original is a perfect encapsulation of the birth of rocksteady while still retaining elements of the now passe ska.

 https://youtu.be/_Z61pUvFE0A

10. THE MAYTALS-"Monkey Man" UK Trojan TR 7711 1970
Among the many gems on The Specials debut LP was this 1970 Trojan reggae classic by The Maytals. Utilizing the band's famous vocal harmony techniques and it's catchy chorus backed by a bouncy skanking beat, "Monkey Man" is nothing short of brilliant.

https://youtu.be/94fG4A_jQuM

10 British 60's R&B/SKA 45's

We have frequently touched upon various individual ska 45's recorded in Britain by English r&b bands but I decided it was time to compile a list of ten recommendations for your listening pleasure....all tracks are UK singles unless otherwise noted.

1. THE BLUE FLAMES-"J.A. Blues" R&B JB 114 1963
The Blue Flames (led by former Larry Parnes discovery Georgie Fame) cut two instrumental 45's for the predominately ska label R&B (named for the labels owners Rita and Benny). Sandwiched in between releases by Don Drummond and The Charmers was this 1963 instrumental, the band's first of two 45's here. It's a mild horns/organ instrumental with a ska beat that's nondescript and mildly banal, but worth a listen. Fame's manager Rik Gunnell forbid him from making an "vocal" records at this time whilst shopping for a major label deal, hence both R&B 45's are instrumentals. 

2. MAYNELL WILSON & THE WES MINSTER FIVE-"Baby" Carnival CV 7014 1964
A few years before her in demand Ember 45 "Motown Feeling" black vocalist Maynell Wilson cut her teeth on this 45 on the predominantly ska label Carnival, which like fellow UK imprints R&B and Blue Beat was not averse to the odd British r&b release. She's backed her by a UK r&b band The Wes Minster Five who cut 3 distinctly jazzy r&b 45's for the label. "Baby", the flip of "Hey Hey Johnny" steals the tune and melody from Millie Small's smash "My Boy Lollipop" lock stock and barrel but Maynell's voice is a zillion times better than Millie's dreadful screechy voice and there's a great sax solo that would not at all be out of place on a Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames tracks.

https://youtu.be/H_wKSKtjMVQ

3. MICKEY FINN & THE BLUE MEN-"Tom Hark" Blue Beat BB 203 1964
Profiled in one of our earliest posts here, as mentioned prior this 45 was NOT the work of UK r&b/freakbeat legends Mickey Finn & The Blue Men but sessions musicians including Mohawks/KPM organist supremo Alan Hawkshaw. Regardless of who played on it this ska reading of a one off 1958 hit by South African's Elias And His Zig-Zag Jive Flutes is infectious and brilliant.  It's a perfect marriage of organ/sax Brit r&b mixed with a traditional ska rhythm.

https://youtu.be/B6StKM4TpoU

Scan c/o 45cat.com

4. THE WILD ONES-"Purple Pill Eater" Fontana TF 468 1964
Tucked away on the flip of the r&b rave up "Bowie Man" comes this cod-ska social commentary on the purple heart amphetamine crisis. It's delivered in a semi offensive West Indian accent while the band churn out a semi competent ska beat while the lyrics warn "don't eat the purple pills my boy, the purple pills just make you ill".

https://youtu.be/M3BkAyJOIeI

5. SYKO & THE CARIBS-"Jenny" Blue Beat BB 213 1964
Tucked on the flip of a rollicking boogie woogie reading of "Do The Dog", "Jenny" follows that early Blue Beat blue print of the slow r&b shuffle with a ska back beat.  It works because it's uncomplicated and fits perfectly along with similar Jamaican releases on the label at the time by Owen Gray and Prince Buster.

 https://youtu.be/FjHrqwdf5w0

Scan c/o 45cat.com

6. GEORGIE FAME & THE BLUE FLAMES-"Madness" E.P. cut "Rhythm & Blue-Beat" EP Columbia SEG 8334 1964
Clive Powell's ska pedigree is first and foremost among white British r&b artists. He released two 45's on the UK ska label R&B (see above), played organ on Prince Buster's "Wash Wash", covered Eric "Monty" Morris ska hit "Humpty Dumpty" on his debut LP "R&B At The Flamingo" and his debut UK EP "Rhythm And Blue-Beat" was filled with four ska tracks, including this ace interpretation of Prince Buster's smash among them making him the first white artist to cover Prince Buster!

https://youtu.be/asDKkMHUjZg

7. THE EXOTICS-"Cross My Heart" Decca F 11850 1964
The jury is out on who The Exotics were but its a pretty safe bet the guess they were Brit based West Indians. "Cross My Heart" would not be at all out of place on the Blue Beat label with it's innocuous ska/ blues shuffle driven by a harmonica, though it's production is a bit too slick for anything they ever put out.

https://youtu.be/-klpo7ol-zk

8. THE BEAZERS (CHRIS FARLOWE)-"Blue Beat" Decca F 11827 1964
Brit 60's r&b legend Chris Farlowe was signed to EMI's Columbia output so this 45 was cut surreptitiously on the sly and credited to the fictitious "Beazers". The brainchild of arranger/producer Cyril Stapleton (who interestingly became head of A&R at Pye the year after this 45!), "Blue Beat" is yet another melding of ska rhythm's with a staid but solid British musical backing (including ex-Blue Flame Tex Makins on bass, future Blue Flame and Ringo stand in Jimmy Nicol on drums and the man behind the famous lick on "Shakin' All Over", Joe Moretti on guitar). Regardless of it's genuine "ska credibility" it's a decent track and extremely in demand.

https://youtu.be/xHQEQZr_E9o

9. THE LLOYD ALEXANDER REAL ESTATE-"I'm Gonna Live Again" President PT 157 1967
Starting off with some brilliant "chicka-chick" vocal toasting straight of of "Guns Of Navarone" and a funky riff that's sounds a bit like "I'll Be Doggone", "I'm Gonna Live Again" remained under the mod/soul/ska scenes radar for ages until both sides of this 45 were unearthed by RPM in 2011 for their various artists three CD set "Looking Back".  This UK 7 piece band issued this monster melding of ska with soulful r&b on the flip side of their sole 45, a cover of "Whatcha Gonna Do".

https://youtu.be/_-_WHXlv4qE

10. MICKEY FINN & THE BLUE MEN-"Pills" Oriole CB 1927 1964
Unlike the Blue Beat 45 above this 45 featured the actual Mickey Finn & The Blue Men members playing on the record. Taking the Bo Diddley classic and putting a ska beat to it is sort of ingenious idea because it actually works! the flip was a similar ska treatment of Jimmy Reed's "Hush Your Mouth".

https://youtu.be/BBhuZqT4Xvc

AND.......
The Yardbirds broke into the ska version of the nursery rhyme "Humpty Dumpty" in the middle of their version of "Respectable" on their debut LP "Five Live Yardbirds", The Beatles used a ska rhythm in the middle eight of "I Call Your Name", fellow Liverpudlian's Tommy Quickly and the Remo Four did a live version of the ska treatment of "Humpty Dumpty" as their last UK 45 and The Hollies did the same in their first recording of "A Taste Of Honey"......

Blue Beat: Ten Picks

Blue Beat were Britain's premier ska label. Launched in 1960 with their first 45 by Laurel Aitken with the Boogie Cats by Emil Shalit as a subsidiary of his jazz/calypso label Melodisc. The label has gone on to become iconic especially due to it's links with ska.  As you will see in some of our 10 picks from the label that they issued a variety of genres in their brief 7 year existence before switching the bulk of their output to a new label, Fab in early 1967.

1. HOPETON LEWIS-"Sounds And Pressure" BB 372 1967
Though credited to "Buster All Stars" this version of "Sounds And Pressure" is in fact Hopeton Lewis singing. Prince Buster would cut a live version on his UK LP "On Tour" which would gain a 7" release in Jamaica on his Buster label that's more soul than ska. The Hopeton Lewis version here is driven by some cool barroom piano and a smooth, steady vocal delivery.

https://youtu.be/_xRIfJrhg7A

2. BASIL GABIDON-"Iverene" BB 111 1962
Basil Gabidon cut six 45's for the label, this was his third.  Following a boogie woogie shuffle with a ska back beat it resembles a Caribbean influenced Big Joe Turner meets Bobby "Blue" Bland to my ears. My favorite part is the wonky sax/trumpet solo's that follow the record to an unexpected close almost like they turned down the faders just as these guys were letting loose.

https://youtu.be/UTePPFGTq9Q

3. THE BLUES BUSTERS-"Tell Me Why" BB 102 1962
Duo Phillip James and Lloyd Campbell, known collectively as The Blues Busters cut quite a few innocuous mid tempo ska/r&b sides in the 60's.  They had three singles on Blue Beat, this in my opinion is the best, a decent mid tempo r&b shuffle that make me think they were the Sam & Dave of ska.

https://youtu.be/l3rzR9Gi5kw

4. SYKO AND THE CARIBS-"Big Boy" BB 223 1964
Alleged to include Christine Keeler's brother in their line up Syko and the Caribs were a mixed race band who cut two 45's on Blue Beat. Like our entry below this 45 bears no resemblance to ska on one side and is instead a mid tempo rock n roll number led by some wonky sax on the other! "Big Boy" sounds suspiciously like "Humpty Dumpty" (see #10 below), not terribly rocking but interesting.  I would love to know more about the band if anyone knows anything.

https://youtu.be/TVr8qwmuGiw

5. THE TOMMY BURTON COMBO-"I'm Walkin" BB 237 1964
Though white British groups on Blue Beat are not totally unheard of here's one that wasn't the least bit connected to ska, at least on this roaring B-side to the tepid "Lavender Blue" (just a notch above the dreadful feux ska of the Migil Five on the stinky cheese factor). We profiled this raw cover of Fats Domino over here for more information.

https://youtu.be/4kwQ-j9Yzm0

6. DERRICK MORGAN-"Sunday Monday" BB 76 1962
One of the most prolific artists on Blue Beat Derrick Morgan cut an astounding 41 singles on the label. "Sunday Monday" takes the r&b boogie of Fats Domino with a ska back beat/shuffle to create a winning combination.

https://youtu.be/-x92KtRyO2w

7. PRINCE BUSTER-"Judge Dread (Judge Four Hundred Years)" BB 387 1967
No Blue Beat list would be complete without at least one Prince Buster 45. "Judge Dread (Four Hundred Years)" was the first record of the "rude boy in court" genre of ska/reggae that saw (often humorous) verbal dialogue between a judge and an offender to a musical backing.  Buster made many more sequels and the template was copied by loads of other artists like Derrick Morgan.

https://youtu.be/bX8USu78E7E

8. MICKEY FINN & THE BLUE MEN-"Tom Hark" BB 203 1964
We profiled this 45 way back when here, it has recently come to light via "Ugly Things" magazine that the personnel on this 45 were not Mickey Finn and the Blue Men but session men (most likely including Alan Hawkshaw of The Mohawks fame on organ). To my knowledge this was the first of a few of the label's white British acts. Regardless of who it is it's an infectious little groover that's a wonderful ear worm.

https://youtu.be/B6StKM4TpoU

9. OWEN GREY BUSTER'S GROUP-"Millie Girl" BB 91 1962
Owen Grey cut a staggering number of U.K. sides. 15 of these were on Blue Beat (whilst interspersed with titles on Island, Starlite, Chek etc). "Millie Girl" was presumably a tongue and cheek ska/boogie ballad for his sometime singing partner Millie Small with musical backing from Prince Buster's All Stars (or as the label credits them "Buster's Group").

https://youtu.be/RnrPXgHvsKM

10. ERIC "MONTY" MORRIS DRUMBAGO ALL STARS-"Humpty Dumpty" BB 53 1961
Prior to The Skatalite's "Guns Of Navarone", Eric Morris ska reading of the nursery rhyme "Humpty Dumpty" was probably the most famous ska tune released in Britain in the 60's.  It was covered by Georgie Fame on his "Blue Beat" E.P. and The Yardbirds played a snippet of it in the middle of "Here Tis" on their debut LP "Five Live Yardbirds". It's simple and sweet and it's cheery disposition makes for an excellent party record, no matter what your age.

https://youtu.be/Piqiy3uKP9k

Great Obscure U.K. 60's R&B Sides: The Tommy Burton Combo

TOMMY BURTON COMBO-Lavender Blue/I'm Walking UK Blue Beat BB 237 1964

Blue Beat is of course primarily known for ska and mento records made by West Indian artists. There are of course a few notable exceptions where British artists cut some sides for the label. BB 237 from 1964 by the Tommy Burton Combo is one such disc. We profiled an earlier Blue Beat release by a British band way back when over here.  The band were led by the late jazz saxophonist/ pianist Tommy Burton and oddly this was his sole 45 release in the 60's.

"Lavender Blue" is a dreadful piece of faux ska akin to the horrid Migil Five.  It's a perfect example of a dance band deciding to become contemporary or hip and cash in on that "new crazy rhythm all the kids are on about". Predictably it fails miserably.

The flip side is where the magic happens! The band tear into Fats Domino's "I'm Walking" in an interesting mix that combines the guitar licks you'd find on a raw British beat 45 and a solid sax of a mid 60's British r&b record.  The vocalist has a raw voice that reminds me of the lead vocalist on some of the records by Liverpool's The Dennisons. The lead guitar playing reminds me of the style that Jimmy Page was fond of using at the time. Overall the number reminds me of The Dave Clark Five if they had a wild guitarist in the ranks and a jazz player on sax letting it wail.

The B-side screams for a reissue somewhere, but to my knowledge it has not popped up anywhere yet!

Hear "I'm Walking":

https://youtu.be/4kwQ-j9Yzm0