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Alton Ellis was a star long before rocksteady washed over Jamaica, but it took until that era for his debut album to arrive. 1967's Mr. Soul of Jamaica was his first, followed hot on its heels by Sings Rock and Soul. The latter came courtesy of Coxsone Dodd, it's a fine set, but pales in comparison to the former. Ellis had departed Dodd's Studio One for Duke Reid's Treasure Isle as rocksteady emerged, recording a stream of crucial hit singles for the label. Mr. Soul featured a clutch of them, but oddly not some of the biggest -- the genre naming "Rock Steady," the classic "Girl I've Got a Date," the seminal "Cry Tough" were all missing. Presumably, Reid thought they were pointless inclusions, as everyone already had them on 45. What fans did get was a dozen numbers of equal caliber; Ellis didn't release anything less during this period. The sublime "Breaking Up" is a perfect case in point, the singer oozes heartache, while his backing Flames' harmonies are exquisite, and absolutely flawless. But Ellis is fabulous on every song within, even at his most pop-flecked, the sweet "Why Birds Follow Spring" is a good example, he laces a song with emotion. He swaddles "Can't Stop Now" in soul, while his haunting performance on the downbeat "If I Could Rule This World" is unforgettable. Some of the songs here are originals, like the excellent "Chatty Chatty People," the rest covers that Ellis makes his own, notably his phenomenal takes on "You Make Me So Very Happy," "Willow Tree," and "Remember That Sunday." The backings are Ellis' equals, and the reason for Treasure Isle's success. "Birds" is rocksteady perfection, "Sunday" a breezy, bouncy wonder, the brass lights up "Ain't That Loving You," while "All My Tears Come Rolling" is an insistent delight. Every song here has much to recommend it, and all told this compilation was one of the highlights of the era.
© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo
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Tommy McCook, Saxophone, MainArtist - Alton Ellis, MainArtist - The Supersonics, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, Composer - Tommy McCook, Composer, Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Alton Ellis, Composer - The Supersonics, Composer, FeaturedArtist, With Vocals - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Vocals, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Neamiah Ellis, Composer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Berry Gordy Jr., Composer - Frank Wilson, Composer - Alton Ellis, MainArtist - Patrice Holloway, Composer - Brenda Holloway, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Tommy McCook, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist - Phyllis Dillon, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist - Alton Neamiah Ellis, Composer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Tommy McCook, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer, MainArtist - The Supersonics, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Producer, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Neamiah Ellis, Composer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Vernon Bullock, Composer - Johnny Bristol, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer, MainArtist - HARVEY FUQUA, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Leroy Sibbles, Composer - Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist - Barry Llewellyn, Composer - Phyllis Dillon, Performance, MainArtist - Earl Morgan, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist - Lloyd Williams, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Thomas Bell, Composer - Alton Ellis, Vocals, MainArtist - WILLIAM HART, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Paul Anka, Composer - Alton Ellis, Performance, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1969 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1969 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1969 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Neamiah Ellis, Composer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1970 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1971 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer, Vocals - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1965 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer - Duke Reid, Producer - Edgar Clinton Gordon, Composer - Winston Jarrett, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist - Alton Neamiah Ellis, Composer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1965 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 2013 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.
Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 2012 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, MainArtist - Alton Ellis, MainArtist - The Baba Brooks Band, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Vocals - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, Performance - Alton Ellis, Performance - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Vocals - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Sanctuary Record Group Ltd., a BMG Company
The Flames, Composer, Performance - Alton Ellis, Composer, Performance - Alton Ellis & The Flames, Composer, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1966 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Vocals - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Tommy McCook, Vocals, FeaturedArtist - The Supersonics, MainArtist - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, Composer - Brian Atkinson, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Eugene Dixon, Composer - Bernice Williams, Composer - Arthur "Duke" Reid, Producer - Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist - Earl G. Edwards, Composer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1967 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist - Papa Ritchie, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1977 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist - Alton Neamiah Ellis, Composer
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1977 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist - Ranking Trevor, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1977 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Tommy McCook, Composer - Alton Ellis, Composer, MainArtist - Phyllis Dillon, Composer, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1977 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1977 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis & The Flames, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1977 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Alton Ellis, MainArtist - The Termites, MainArtist
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 1977 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
Album review
Alton Ellis was a star long before rocksteady washed over Jamaica, but it took until that era for his debut album to arrive. 1967's Mr. Soul of Jamaica was his first, followed hot on its heels by Sings Rock and Soul. The latter came courtesy of Coxsone Dodd, it's a fine set, but pales in comparison to the former. Ellis had departed Dodd's Studio One for Duke Reid's Treasure Isle as rocksteady emerged, recording a stream of crucial hit singles for the label. Mr. Soul featured a clutch of them, but oddly not some of the biggest -- the genre naming "Rock Steady," the classic "Girl I've Got a Date," the seminal "Cry Tough" were all missing. Presumably, Reid thought they were pointless inclusions, as everyone already had them on 45. What fans did get was a dozen numbers of equal caliber; Ellis didn't release anything less during this period. The sublime "Breaking Up" is a perfect case in point, the singer oozes heartache, while his backing Flames' harmonies are exquisite, and absolutely flawless. But Ellis is fabulous on every song within, even at his most pop-flecked, the sweet "Why Birds Follow Spring" is a good example, he laces a song with emotion. He swaddles "Can't Stop Now" in soul, while his haunting performance on the downbeat "If I Could Rule This World" is unforgettable. Some of the songs here are originals, like the excellent "Chatty Chatty People," the rest covers that Ellis makes his own, notably his phenomenal takes on "You Make Me So Very Happy," "Willow Tree," and "Remember That Sunday." The backings are Ellis' equals, and the reason for Treasure Isle's success. "Birds" is rocksteady perfection, "Sunday" a breezy, bouncy wonder, the brass lights up "Ain't That Loving You," while "All My Tears Come Rolling" is an insistent delight. Every song here has much to recommend it, and all told this compilation was one of the highlights of the era.
© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 40 track(s)
- Total length: 02:10:17
- Main artists: Alton Ellis
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Trojan Records
- Genre: Reggae
© 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company ℗ 2013 Trojan Recordings Ltd., a BMG Company
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