rocksteady
Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica around 1966. A successor of ska and a precursor to reggae, rocksteady was the dominant style of music in Jamaica for nearly two years, performed by many of the artists who helped establish ...
era of 1966-1968. It was released in 1993 by
Heartbeat Records
Heartbeat Records is an independent record label based in Burlington, Massachusetts. The label specializes in Jamaican music.
Founded by reggae music enthusiasts Bill Nowlin and Duncan Brown, the label's first release was a vinyl LP reissue of L ...
, and features the pick of Ellis' work for
Arthur "Duke" Reid
Arthur "Duke" Reid CD (21 July 1915 – 1 January 1975) was a Jamaican record producer, DJ and label owner.
He ran one of the most popular sound systems of the 1950s called Reid's Sound System, whilst Duke himself was known as The Troja ...
, plus some tracks produced by
Sonia Pottinger
Sonia Eloise Pottinger OD ( Durrant; 21 June 1931 – 3 November 2010)Thompson, Dave (2002) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books, , p. 316Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (1999) "Reggae: 100 Essential CDs", Rough Guides, The album contains most of Ellis' original ''Mr. Soul of Jamaica'' album, and contains the same tracks as the 1973 ''Greatest Hits'' compilation on Count Shelly Records, plus eight additional tracks.Alton Ellis - ''Greatest Hits'' , ''Roots Archives'' Several of the tracks are alternate takes of some of his biggest hits from the era.Greene, Jo-Ann " Alton Ellis - ''Cry Tough'' Review, ''
Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
'', Macrovision Corporation The backing band is the
Treasure Isle
Arthur "Duke" Reid CD (21 July 1915 – 1 January 1975) was a Jamaican record producer, DJ and label owner.
He ran one of the most popular sound systems of the 1950s called Reid's Sound System, whilst Duke himself was known as The Troja ...
studio band of the time,
Tommy McCook
Tommy McCook (3 March 1927 – 5 May 1998) was a Jamaican saxophonist. A founding member of The Skatalites, he also directed The Supersonics for Duke Reid, and backed many sessions for Bunny Lee or with The Revolutionaries at Channel One S ...
and the Supersonics. The album was included in the
Rough Guides
Rough Guides Ltd is a British travel guide book and reference publisher, which has been owned by APA Publications since November 2017. In addition to publishing guidebooks, the company also provides a tailor-made trips service based on customer ...
book ''Reggae: 100 Essential CDs''.
Track listing
# "Breaking Up"
# "Why Birds Follow Spring"
# "I Can't Stop Now"
# "Ain't That Loving You"
# "You Make Me So Very Happy"
# "Remember That Sunday (Alternate Take)"
# "All My Tears Come Rolling"
# "Baby I Love You"
# "Chatty Chatty People"
# "Willow Tree"
# "If I Could Rule This World"
# "What Does It Take (Take Two)"
# "Cry Tough (Take Six)"
# "Girl I've Got A Date (Soul Style)"
# "Can't Stand It (Extended Mix)"
# "I'm Just A Guy (Soul Style)"
# "La Means I Love You"
# "Why Did You Leave Me To Cry"
# "The Same Song"
# "Black Man, White Man (Take Two)"