8 décembre 2008 à 15:19
All the recordings listed above appeared on the annual top 25 chart for one of Jamaica's premier radio stations, JBC, from 1960, up until it's final year, 1973 - a fascinating period in the island's musical history.
Pour 1967:
By the early months of 1967, the last vestiges of Ska had disappeared. The sound of Rocksteady now ruled supreme and while it's reign ultimately proved short-lived, the era spawned some of the most enduring recordings in the history of Jamaican music. The style particularly suited vocal groups, whose harmonies had previously been severely restricted by the rigid structure of Ska, and few achieved greater success during this period than The Paragons and The Techniques. "Only A Smile" and "You Don't Care" (aka "You'll Want Be Back"), which provided hits for the two respective groups are among the finest examples of the style which proved popular among Jamaican audiences throughout the Rocksteady era. Among the other major hits of '67 was The Kingstonians' "Winey Winey" and the enigmatic Roy Shirley, who after years in the business, finally made his breakthrough with "Hold Them" (aka "Feel Good")
Pour 1968 :
One of the first major hits of '68 was "Long Story" which had actually been recorded the previous year by newcomer, Rudy Mills, while other big sellers during the early part of the year were Toots & The Maytals' "54 45 That's My Number", "Long Shot" by The Pioneers and Desmond Dekker & The Aces' 1968 Jamaican Festival Song winner, "Intensified '68" (aka Music Like Dirt). By the time leading vocal trio, The Melodians cut "It Comes And Goes", Rocksteady was showing signs of change. The percussion, and in particular the hi-hat, became increasingly prominent in the mix, while the languid rhythm guitar style previously favoured, was supplanted by a more aggressive, cutting technique. Soon after, the tempo of the music increased and a looping bass line was introduced. In addition, the organ, piano or guitar were used to create secondary rhythms, resulting in a jumpy effect. Such developments are clearly evident on "Dance With Me" by Winston 'Delano' Stewart, Stranger Cole & Lester Sterling's "Bangarang", "Everybody Needs Love" by Keith 'Slim' Smith and Roland Alphonso's instrumental version of the former, entitled "A Thousand Tons Of Megaton". But not everyone embraced these changes and a notable exception was The Ethiopians "Everything Crash", which featured an innovative arrangement, performed by leading instrumental group, Bobby Aitken & The Carribeats.
