In the 1950s, Jamaican dancehall regulars were crazy about the haunting sounds of American Rhythm & Blues. But in the mid-1950s, Rock 'n' Roll began to replace RnB in America, and Jamaican dancehall owners like Duke Reid and Clement Dodd turned to local musicians to record their own versions of American RnB.
The trend of covering foreign hits exploded during the Ska heyday of the early 60s and continued through the Rocksteady and Reggay eras. Jamaican musicians have covered virtually every genre of music, from jazz and rock to film scores, television soundtracks, pop, classical music and more. Over the years, they have also recorded many "versions" of existing covers. Covers of covers of covers…
Admittedly, some of these covers were futile but many were sublime as this new and eclectic collection of Ska, Rocksteady and Reggay nuggets, compiled by the very competent and very charming D.J. Héléa, brilliantly demonstrates. Attention we are here "undercover", there are no well-known covers. Some of the tracks selected here are rare, others unknown or forgotten - but all are excellent and blended in an exciting mix, in line with previous Harlem Shuffle compilations... We hope you will enjoy listening to this album as much as we had composing it for you. All aboard for REGGAY UNDERCOVER!
Héléa is a French DJ who passionately mixes Ska, Rocksteady and Reggay vinyl records in live sets or on the radios in France, England and Spain. She runs her own Facebook group: “Reggae Under Cover” and is an expert in Jamaican covers.
Tracklist
A1. Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Kansas City (Instrumental)
A2. Bongo Man Byfield - Bongo Man
A3. The Techniques - What'cha Gonna Do
A4. Eric "Monty" Morris - If I Didn't Love You
A5. Trevor & The Maytones - Everyday Is Like A Holiday
A6. The Uniques - Just A Mirage
A7. Patsy Todd - Retreat Song
B1. Roland Alphonso & Beverley's All Stars - Charade
B2. Lee Perry - Something You've Got
B3. The Upsetters & Count Prince Miller - Mule Train (Upsetters Version)
B4. Alton Ellis - Trying To Reach My Goal
B5. Harry J. All Stars - Je T'Aime
B6. Ken Boothe - Is It Because I'm Black (UK Mix)
B7. The Messengers - Crowded City
