Various Artists: Winston Riley's Rock Steady & Early Reggae 1968-1969

Dub Store Records DSRCD016 (Download)
‘collections of Winston Riley's early reggae releases’

‘These collections of Winston Riley's early reggae releases shine the spotlight on his superb vocal productions with the Shades, the Mad Lads, and of course the Techniques, and feature the impeccable lead vocals of Dave Barker.

Winston Riley started his production career as a singer with an enviable track record, having formed the Techniques in 1962 and hitting the top of the charts two years later with the splendid 'Little Did You Know' for Duke Reid's esteemed Treasure Isle label. When the frantic ska beat slowed down and turned into Rocksteady Winston remained the only permanent component of the Techniques, arguably Jamaica's finest vocal group.

As the beat changed yet again from rock steady to the faster reggae format, Winston's thoughts turned to production, and he decided to create his own 'Techniques' label. A serious man with a serious work ethic, the quality of his music was apparent from the start as he released hit after hit, producing and singing as part of the different combinations of singers and vocal groups that he worked with.

In 1970 he produced his biggest ever hit 'Double Barrel', a ground breaking track that went on to be the biggest reggae track of 1971, reaching the very top of the UK national pop charts in May, and peaking at number 22 in the US Billboard charts in August.

After this pop success Winston Riley continued working as he always had done, producing top quality reggae tracks with a host of Jamaica's finest singers and musicians. After opening his shop in Chancery Lane, he continued on his quest for the best throughout the 70's, 80's, 90's and into the 21st century, never failing to bring his decades of experience and peerless production skills to bear on whatever contemporary music he was producing.’

Tracklisting:

Dave Barker: Your Love Is a Game

The Mad Lads: So Afraid

The Techniques: I Feel Alive Again

The Techniques: Heart of a Man

The Techniques: What Am I to Do

The Techniques: Where Were You

The Techniques: The Reason Why

The Shades: Never Gonna Give You Up

The Techniques: Just One Smile

The Techniques: Man of My World

The Mad Lads: Mother Nature

The Mad Lads: I Never Know

The Techniques: You Are My Everything

The Techniques: Time Has Come

The Shades: She's Gonna Marry Me