Duke's Cookies: Duke Reid's Mento, Shuffle Blues & Ska 1960-1962, 3CD Set

• First comprehensive anthology of the early productions of Jamaican legend, Duke Reid.

• Includes 20 track s new to CD.

• Features some of the most popular and influential Jamaican recordings of the early 1960s.

The influence of Duke Reid upon the development of the Jamaican music industry can never be overstated. During the 1950s, he dominated the island’s sound system scene, initially specialising with rare R&B imports from the US before turning to local talent to create ‘exclusives’ for his powerful sound.

These early productions proved so popular that many were subsequently officially released as 7” singles, primarily on the distinctive ‘Duke Reid’s’ record label in Jamaica, and Melodisc’s famed ‘Blue Beat’ subsidiary in the UK. Yet despite the popularity and influence of Reid’s early works, a serious anthology of his recorded output from this period has until now remained unavailable.

This collection finally makes up for lost time with almost the entirety of his released work from this time collected across three discs, combining major Jamaican hits, performed by some of the island’s leading foundation artists, with almost forgotten rarities from one-hit wonders. And, as an added bonus, numerous rare alternate takes that have remained in the vaults since the dawn of the 1960s are also included.

As a stand-alone release or a companion to previous Doctor Bird and Trojan Duke Reid collections, this essential 3CD set not only provides a fascinating musical insight into the origins of Jamaica’s national sound, but also provides the opportunity to hear some of the finest mento, shuffle blues and proto-ska sounds of the period.

Track Listing:

DISC ONE
1 Penny Reel - Lord Power
2 I'm Going Home - Chuck & Dobby
3 Lollipop Girl - The Jiving Juniors
4 Duke's Cookies - Rico Rodriguez
5 Tell Me (Pretty Baby) - Chuck & Dobby
6 My Heart's Desire - The Jiving Juniors
7 Green Door - Roland Alphonso
8 Marjorie - Alvin & Cecil
9 Running Around - Chuck & Dobby
10 I Wanna Love - The Jiving Juniors
11 Blackberry Brandy - Roland Alphonso
12 Oh Fanny - Chuck & Dobby
13 I Love You - The Jiving Juniors
14 In And Out The Window - Monty & Roy
15 Tra La La Boogie - Drumbago & His Orchestra
16 Dearest Darling - The Jiving Juniors
17 Feel So Fine (take 2) - Derrick & Patsy
18 Low Down Dirty Girl - Laurel Aitken
19 Mean To Me - Roland Alphonso
20 Let The Good Times Roll - Derrick & Patsy
21 Sweetie Pie - Monty & Roy
22 Let George Do It - Rico Rodriguez
23 Judgement Day - Laurel Aitken
24 You Done Me Wrong (take 2) - Derrick & Patsy
25 Duck Soup - Drumbago's All Stars
26 Baby Please Don't Leave Me - Derrick & Patsy
27 Magic - Duke Reid & His Group
28 Chambonia - Lord Power

DISC TWO
1 Pink Lane Shuffle - Duke Reid & His Group
2 More Whisky aka More Whiskey - Laurel Aitken
3 Cool School - Chuck & Dobby
4 What Makes Honey - Duke Reid & His Group
5 Yea Yea Baby - Laurel Aitken
6 Lover Boy - Derrick Morgan
7 Parapinto Boogie - Lloyd Clarke
8 Till The End Of Time - Chuck & Dobby
9 The Joker - Duke Reid & His Group
10 Mary Had A Little Lamb - Eric Morris
11 Bells Of Love - The Moonlighters
12 Plan A Future (take 1) - The Charmers
13 Love Not To Brag - Derrick & Patsy
14 Old King Cole - Eric Morris
15 Anytime (take 1) - The Moonighters
16 Are You Going To Marry Me - Derrick & Patsy
17 Midnight Train (take 4) - Hortense Ellis
18 Bye Bye Baby - The Prodigals
19 Oh Shirley - Derrick & Patsy
20 Ben Johnson Day (take 2) - Basil Gabbidon
21 Prodigal Son - The Prodigals
22 Troubles - Derrick & Patsy
23 Going Down To Canaan (take 1) - Cosmo & Dennis
24 Chicken Boogie - Duke Reid & His Group
25 I Had A Dream - Derrick & Patsy
26 Beautiful Angel - The Prodigals
27 Easter Parade - Roland Alphonso
28 Oh My Love - Derrick & Patsy

DISC THREE
1 Oh Joycie - Derrick & Patsy
2 Let's Go To The Party - Stranger & Patsy
3 Choo Choo (take 2) - Prodigals
4 Come Back My Love - Derrick & Patsy
5 Tonight And Ever More - Cosmo & Dennis
6 Neck Tie (take 1) - Roland Alphonso
7 Joy Bells - Derrick Morgan
8 Bless You (take 1) - Cosmo & Dennis
9 Crying For My Baby (take 1) - Unknown vocalist
10 Marianne (take 2) - Derrick & Patsy
11 I Don't Want You (take 1) - Frank Cosmo
12 Power (take 1) - Stranger & Ken
13 Crying In The Chapel (take 1 or 2?) - Derrick & Patsy
14 Bed Of Roses - Cosmo&Dennis
15 Barnyard Boogie - Roland Alphonso
16 Trying To Make You Mine - Derrick & Patsy
17 This Is Love aka This Is True (take 1) - Stranger & Patsy
18 Hold Me Tenderly - Hortense Ellis
19 You Done Me Wrong aka Why Did You Do It (take 1) - Derrick & Patsy
20 At The Party (take 2) - Frank Cosmo
21 The Mood I Am In - The Duke Reid Band
22 My Lovin' Baby - Derrick & Monty
23 It Takes Time - The Slanes
24 Woodchopper’s Ball (take 1) - Roland Alphonso
25 Little Brown Girl - Derrick & Patsy
26 I've Been A Fool - Hortense Ellis
27 Magic - The Duke Reid Band
28 Mow Sen Wa - Derrick & Lloyd