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The Mercurials
One of the highlights from this year's Freedom Sounds Festival.
Die Kantine, Köln - 26.May.25
NEW social media banner
The Mercurials
One of the highlights from this year's Freedom Sounds Festival.
Die Kantine, Köln - 26.May.25
Neil Anderson
Original Gravity Allstars
Freedom Sounds Festival
Die Kantine, Köln - 25.Apr.25
more info - https://www.originalgravity.co.uk/
13
Couple of classic from The Gaylads, first up:
The Gaylads - It's Hard to Confess
Love the sound of these harmony bands, the lovely vocals, the heavy bass, just so uplifting.
11
Derrick Morgan feat George Agard - Me Naw Give Up
Pure dance music
Mr Fix It, Winston Francis
Freedom Sounds Festival
Die Kantine, Köln - 26.Apr.25
All roads lead to Köln...
Eastern Standard Time on tour
Europe - June 2025
more details -https://www.facebook.com/events/578247104826119
10
Derrick Morgan - I Mean It
This is just shockingly good. Proper goosebumps listening to this one. Had to rewind twice. Just check out those pianos backing Derrick's voice, the bass, how perfectly they all complement each other, so so good
9
Love this sound:
Basil Daley and the Conquerors - So Nice Like Rice
1968. Seems to have also been (mis-)credited to 'Charlie Kelly' at some point.
Los Billtones
Freedom Sounds Festival
Die Kantine, Köln - 26.Apr.25
more info - https://www.losbilltones.com/
Natty Bo
Ska'd For Life Festival
dBs, Utrecht - 03.05.25
8
Oh my:
Noel "Bunny" Brown & The Wildcats - The Rock Steady
Lovely, lovely sound. Great voice. Love it.
7
Winston & George - Keep the Pressure On (Alternative version)
Such a feel-good sound, lovely stuff! George Agard was Desmond Dekker's (half) brother, later of The Pioneers; seems like this might be the only credit for Winston Weir.
6
Another one from The Consummates:
The Consummates - Do It Now
These guys really knew how to make music. No idea why they had so few releases, this (from 1968) is wonderful.
5
The late, great Alton Ellis:
Alton Ellis - Never Love Again
The Godfather of Rocksteady. Fantastic song, again on the bittersweet side, but his voice...
4
More rocksteady...
The Clarendonians - Baby, Baby
The Clarendonians made a name releasing ska, before moving on to rocksteady and early reggae. This from 1968, Tommy McCook's Band on backing, is kind of bittersweet - lovely, yet melancholy.
3
And in the same mood, this one:
The Consummates - The More They Get
Or was it The Consumates? These guys don't even have a Wikipedia page, which is a shame given how good this is. Seems like it was maybe Frank Brown, with Lynn Taitt & The Jets. No idea the year this was recorded, just somewhere 66-68.
Real message for our times in this one, too.
2
Second one from The Viceroys
The Viceroys - Give It to Him
From 1968. Also produced by Derrick Morgan. Also fantastic. Literal goosebumps when that bassline kicks in
1
First up, as I'm in a 'rocking mood' (if you get the reference...), a couple of scorchers from The Viceroys
The Viceroys - Let Him Go (Wrap Up)
Really don't know much about this song. Produced by Derrick Morgan, maybe with Lynn Taitt & The Jets. Not even listed on Discogs except on some 21st century compilations so maybe unreleased back then. But it's fantastic.
Cosmic Shuffling
Freedom Sounds Festival
Die Kantine, Köln - 25.Apr.25
more info - https://fruitsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/lovonauts-odyssey