Alton Ellis - Treasure Isle 1966-1968

Alton Ellis is one of the finest soulful voices to come out of Jamaica. As well as writing hit singles himself he could make a cover version known as a foreign tune sound like a Jamaican reggae tune with the greatest of ease. 
 
As the more upbeat rhythms of the earlier `ska’ period began to slow down around the turn of 1966, some say due to the extreme heatwave that hit the island of Jamaica that year, slower 'rocksteady' rhythms took over, more suited for people to groove to at the various sound systems and dances. This also allowed the singers to express themselves more and allow the song to shine through. No one did this better than Alton Ellis. 
 
Alton Ellis was born in Kingston Jamaica in 1944 and started off singing at an early age as part of a duo with Eddie Perkins. Rrecording for both Studio One and Randy’s as Alton and Eddy, they had a massive hit with the song ‘Muriel’. The singing pair went their separate ways, and Alton went solo with Studio One, but, being a much in-demand voice, also recorded with Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle studio as Alton Ellis and The Flames. 
 
One of his tunes, ‘Get Ready (Do the Rocksteady),' even gave this period in reggae’s history its name, and it is this Rocksteady period of 1966 to 1968 that is featured on this release, which also includes the hits ‘Ain’t That Loving You, ‘Girl I’ve Got A Date’, and ‘Cry Tuff.’ 

TRACKLIST: 

1. Ain't That Loving You 

2. Get Ready (Do The Rocksteady) 

3. Girl I've Got A Date 

4. La La Means I Love You 

5. Baby I Love You 

6. Remember That Sunday (feat. Phillis Dillon) 

7. Cry Tuff 

8. Breaking Up 

9. Why Do Birds 

10. Come Rolling 

11. If I Ruled The World 

12. Willow Tree 

browse collections: 
Reggae collection 
Sixties collection 

view all new releases...