05.08.14 - Sly & Studio One & More

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Sly & Robbie by Beth Lesser

Sir Coxsone by David Corio

In honor of Sly Dunbar's Earthstrong I pulled some favorites for you, as well as some Studio One beauties in honor of the Fourth Annual Studio One Tribute May 9th, 2014 with a special dedication to Jackie Mittoo. Much respect out to K Vibes the Brick Rose and Downbeat The Ruler! Check the archive.

09.06.12 - Alton Ellis Tribute Show

LISTEN TO THE ARCHIVE AT JAMAICAROCK.COM

Alton Ellis

Alton Ellis (1938-2008) was a musician best known as the innovator of rocksteady music. He began recording in the late 1950s and continued until his death in 2008, but he reached his period of greatest popularity in the late 1960s.

Ellis was born in Trenchtown, Jamaica, and learned to play the piano at a young age. In his teens, Alton and Eddie Perkins formed Alton & Eddie, and began recording for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, scoring a hit in 1958 with “Muriel”. 

Ellis launched his solo career after Perkins left for the United States around 1965. He moved to Treasure Isle and began recording with the back-up trio The Flames. His first hit for Treasure Isle was “Dance Crasher”, a plea for peace, and he followed it up with “Get Ready - Rock Steady”.

Ellis’ most well-known song is probably “Girl, I’ve Got A Date”, or “I’m Still In Love With You”, a song that has been versioned many times by artists such as Sean Paul, Althea & Donna (As ‘Uptown Top Ranking’).

In 2006, Ellis was inducted into the International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA), Hall Of Fame. (- via Last.fm)

Alton Ellis' birthday was this past September 1st, and this show is a tribute to him. I started with some of his first tunes and took you through his ska, rocksteady, soul and roots. His musical innovations will never be forgotten.