Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica around 1966. A successor of ska and a precursor to reggae, rocksteady was the dominant style of music in Jamaica for nearly two years, performed by many of the artists who helped establish reggae. For example harmony groups such as The Techniques, The Paragons, The Heptones and The Gaylads; soulful singers such as Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, Bob Andy, Ken Booth and Phyllis Dillon; musicians such as Jackie Mittoo, Lynn Taitt and Tommy McCook. The term rocksteady comes from a popular (slower) dance style mentioned in the Alton Ellis song ‘Rocksteady’ that matched the new sound. Some rocksteady songs became hits outside Jamaica, as with ska, helping to secure the international base reggae music has today.
Tracks
1. The Jamaicans – Ba Ba Boom
2. Phyllis Dillon – Rock Steady
3. The Heptones – Hypocrite
4. Slim Smith & The Uniques – My Conversation
5. Carlton & His Shoes – Love Me Forever
6. John Holt – A Love I Can Feel
7. Ernest Wilson – Undying Love
8. The Cables – Baby Why
9. The Termites – Love Up Kiss Up
10. Freddie McKay – Love Is A Treasure
11. Alton Ellis – Cry Tough
12. The Melodians – You Don’t Need Me
13. Prince Buster’s All Stars – Freezing Up Orange Street
14. The Conquerors – Lonely Street
15. The Techniques – Travelling Man
16. Karl Bryan & Tommy McCook – Moon Shot
17. Dennis Alcapone – Wake Up Jamaica
18. Dobby Dobson – Loving Pauper
19. Rudy Mills – Long Story
20. Hopeton Lewis – Take It Easy
21. Delroy Wilson – Dancing Mood
22. Slim Smith – Beatitude
23. The Sensations – Those Guys
24. The Uniques – Love And Devotion
25. The Melodians – Passion Love
26. The Gaylads – ABC Rocksteady
