1. Alton Ellis Album
2. Alton Ellis Mr Soul Of Jamaica
3. Youtube Alton Ellis
4. Alton Ellis Sunday Coming
5. Alton Ellis Mix

Alton Ellis - 'You've Made Me So Very Happy' (Official Audio) 1967's Mr. Soul of Jamaica was the first album by rocksteady star Alton Ellis. As one of the innovators of this genre who was given the informal title 'Godfather of Rocksteady' he wrote some original reggae hits which contains a lot of soul. From the “Godfather of Rocksteady”. Jamaican singer Alton Ellis’ 1974 LP Mr Soul Of Jamaica has been reissued for the first time, via Music on Vinyl. Read more: Pressing Matters in Jamaica: A film about the island’s forgotten record industry Produced by Duke Reid and released on his Treasure Isle label, Mr Soul Of Jamaica was Ellis’ third studio album (but his only release for TI.

From the “Godfather of Rocksteady”.

• All songs written and composed by Alton Nehemiah Ellis except.
• 30 Hertz 30 Hertz Records is an independent record label founded by John ‘Jah Wobble’ Wardle in 1997, on which he has self-released a series of critically acclaimed records. As of 2015, Cherry Red are proud to represent 30 Hertz as part of our family of associated labels. 359 Music 359 Music is a new independent music label set up by Creation Records’ Alan McGee in 2013 as a joint.

Jamaican singer Alton Ellis’ 1974 LP Mr Soul Of Jamaica has been reissued for the first time, via Music on Vinyl.

Read more:Pressing Matters in Jamaica: A film about the island’s forgotten record industry

Produced by Duke Reid and released on his Treasure Isle label, Mr Soul Of Jamaica was Ellis’ third studio album (but his only release for TI) following Sings Rock and Soul in 1967 and Sunday Coming in 1971.

Instrumental in the evolution of the rocksteady sound, the album is considered one of the genre’s essential releases, with tracks such as ‘Ain’t That Loving You’, ‘You Make Me So Very Happy’ and ‘Why Birds Follow Spring’

Order a copy the album here on limited orange LP, listen to ‘You’ve Made Me So Very Happy’ and check out the track list below.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Breaking Up
2. Why Birds Follow Spring
3. I Can’t Stop Now
4. Ain’t Loving You
5. You Make Me Happy
6. Remember That Sunday

Alton Ellis Album

Side B

1. All My Tears Come Rolling
2. Baby I Love You
3. Chatty Chatty
4. Willow Treet
5. If I Could Rule The World
6. What Does It Take

Alton Ellis (1938-2008)

DB 1055 A Alton Ellis And The Flames – Shake It

Producer: Duke Reid/Year: 1966

After having cut a few tunes for the Duke in 1965, and some for Vincent Chin as well, the year 1966 really put him first on the musical map. “Shake It” was recorded before his first big national hit “Girl I’ve Got A Date” that soon established him as one of Rock Steady biggest stars.

The Duke soon got his own Treasure Isle in the UK that released most of his biggest hits from that era until 1968. One of the hardest tunes to find on vinyl from the “Mr. Soul Of Jamaica”, both on JA Treasure Isle and UK Doctor Bird.

TI-7010 (A) Allton Ellis And The Flames – Ain’t That Loving You

Producer: Duke Reid/Year: 1967

The influence from American Rhythm & Blues to Ska is equivalent to the influence on Soul music on Rock Steady. Here’s one of Alton many cover versions of a Soul song, The “Duke of Earl” originally done by Gene Chandler. Chicago Soul, especially most of Curtis Mayfield’s work on the Impressions, made a big impact on the Jamaican music scene. Although Gene Chandler’s all time classic remains unrivalled, Alton Ellis came quite close, by creating one of the finest Rock Steady records recorded that year.

TI 7016 (A) Alton Ellis & The Flames – Ain’t That Loving You

Producer: Duke Reid/ Year: 1967

Another cover of a soul song, this time first recorded by Johnny Taylor on Stax in 1966. There’s also a DJ version by U Roy on the second series of the label. There’s also a nice reggae version by Rupie Edwards from 1968, titled “Falling In Love Again”, that came out on Doctor Bird DB 1166.

Alton Ellis Mr Soul Of Jamaica

SO 2028 (A) Alton Ellis – I’m Just A Guy

Producer: Clement “Coxsone” Dodd/Year: 1967

Youtube Alton Ellis

For a UK tour Alton was signed by Producder Coxsone Dodd, that also included various recordings. There was always a big rivalry between Coxsone and Duke Reid, but Alton continued working with bothas well as with other producers until the Duke’s death after a long illness in 1974.

Alton Ellis Sunday Coming

His Coxsone output was not as massive as his recordings for Treasure Isle, but he cut some fine tunes including this pearl. “I’m Just A Guy” also came out on his debut album “Alton Ellis Sings Rock And Soul”.

Treasure Isle TIS 186 Alton Ellis – Willow Tree

Producer: Duke Reid/Year: 1968

My absolute favourite on the label and one of the the ultimate “Island sounds”. Originally recorded by Soul Artist Chuck Jackson in the early 60s, but Alton version is impossible to beat. Great backing from Tommy McCook & The Supersonics, also one of the last Rock Steady tunes before Reggae became the dominant sound in JA in 1968. “Willow Tree” also closed the first series on the legendary UK Treasure Isle label.

Treasure Isle TIS-203 Alton & The Flames – How Can I?

Producer: Duke Reid/Year 1968

After his UK tour with Coxsone Dodd, Alton returned to Jamaica producing his own stuff as well as recording with The Flames again for the Duke. More classics were to follow like this one, that was cut in 1968 at Treasure Isle legendary studio in Bond street.

Alton Ellis Mix

Dawning of a New Era

All good things come to an end when the sound of Rock Steady disappeared in 1968 and Reggae became the new Jamaican Dance Craze. Although the Rock Steady era lasted only for a bit more than a year, it’s seen by many critics as the most musically productive period in Jamaica’s history.

In 1968 Alton worked for a C. Bough, a little known producer, who didn’t more than a handful tunes including the great “Tonight” (aka Feeling inside). His reggae output for the Duke was comparatively small, still he made some great tunes such as a cover of the Delfonics “La La Means I Love” and a few other tunes like “Breaking Up” or “Remember That Sunday” (duo with Phyllis Dillon). One of his finest tunes from the early reggae period was the self-produced “Soul Train”.

to be continued

Tags: Alton Ellis, Mr. Soul Of Jamaica