Various Artists: Derrick Morgan And His Friends, 2CD Expanded Edition

• HUGELY COLLECTABLE LP MAKES IT CD DEBUT


• FIVE TRACKS NEW TO CD


• FEATURES SOME OF THE BIGGEST HITS FROM THE ROCK STEADY ERA

The rock steady era that dominated Jamaica’s musical landscape between late-1966 and mid-1968 is today widely acknowledged as the most influential period in the island’s history. Not only did the sound lay the foundations upon which reggae subsequently developed, its structure favoured small combos rather than the large ensembles that dominated the ska years, resulting in significantly reduced recording costs. The development provided cash-strapped music makers with the opportunity to make records and one who took full advantage was enterprising local singing sensation, Derrick Morgan.

A major recording star throughout Jamaica since the late Fifties, Morgan established his Hop Records label around the summer of 67, thereafter releasing a series of popular 7” singles, including the immensely popular ‘Red Rum Ball’ by vocal duo, Lloyd & Devon, and his own best sellers, ‘Conquering Ruler’ and ‘Gimme Back’.

Distributed in the UK by Island Records, the popularity of these works ultimately led to the company releasing the now impossibly rare long-player, “Derrick Morgan And His Friends”, a 12-track collection largely comprising previously unissued material. Now, at long last, this hugely desirable album is available once more, with its contents supplemented by the remainder of Derrick Morgan’s rock steady productions.

Recorded at Jamaica’s premiere recording studio, WIRL, and featuring the musicianship of leading session crews, the Carib Beats and Lyn Taitt & the Jets, the quality of the tracks remains consistently high, and with a handful of these enjoyable sides making their CD debut, this stunning 2 disc set is a dream come true for any self-respecting rock steady fan!

TRACKLISTING

 DISC ONE: DERRICK MORGAN AND HIS FRIENDS
1. BAD LUCK ON ME - Derrick Morgan
2. FATHER KILLAM - Derrick Morgan
3. TEARS ON MY PILLOW - Derrick Morgan
4. AIN'T THAT CRAZY - Derrick Morgan
5. LAGGA HEAD - Derrick Morgan
6. STUMBLING BLOCK - Derrick Morgan & The Viceroys
7. I'VE BEEN SEARCHING - Pauline Morgan & The Loveletts
8. STOP THE WEDDING - Pauline Morgan & The Loveletts
9. GIVE ME A CHANCE - Pauline Morgan & The Consumates
10. THE MORE THEY GET - The Consumates
11. YOU'VE BEEN SAYING THINGS - The Black Brothers
12. MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE - The Inventors
BONUS TRACKS
13. CONQUERING RULER - Derrick Morgan
14. YOU'VE GOT TO CRY - The Groovers
15. LIP AND TONGUE - The Viceroys
16. I'M INDEBTED - Alva Lewis
17. FAMILY WAR - Neremiah Reid
18. SOMEONE - Derrick Morgan & Pauline

DISC TWO: BONUS TRACKS
1. GIMME BACK (1968 VERSION) - Derrick Morgan
2. SEND REQUESTS - The Viceroys
3. GIVE ME THAT LOVE - Neremiah Reid
4. WHEN AM I GONNA BE FREE - Dawn Penn
5. GIVE IT TO HIM - The Viceroys
6. EVERY DAY - Zanda Ferron
7. DO YOU LOVE ME - Derrick & Pauline
8. SOME COME, SOME GO - Frank Brown
9. GIVE ME LOVING - The Black Brothers
10. LET HIM GO - The Viceroys
11. A PRISONER IN LOVE - Derrick Morgan
12. LONELY WORLD - Zanda Ferron
13. TREAT ME RIGHT - The King Twins
14. DO IT NOW - The Consumates
15. BEDWEIGHT - Derrick Morgan
16. RED RUM BALL - Lloyd & Devon
17. (RED) BIG BUM BALL CHAPTER TWO - Tony King
18. MORE BALLS - Mark Anthony & The Jets