Various Artists / Bunny Lee: Rocksteady Years
Album: Bunny Lee: Rocksteady Years   Collection:Reggae
Artist:Various Artists   Added:May 2005
Label:Moll-Selekta  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2005-10-02 Pull Date: 2005-12-04 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Dec 4 Nov 27 Nov 20 Oct 30 Oct 23 Oct 16 Oct 9
Airplays: 1 2 1 3 3 3 3

Recent Airplay
1. Dec 25, 2016: Emergency Crew - Christams Night Everything A to Z Week 71
Take Me Back
4. Nov 30, 2005: BubbaDubba
Take Me Back
2. Sep 24, 2015: subwoofer etc
Build My World Around You
5. Nov 23, 2005: BubbaDubba
What I'm Gonna Do
3. Dec 05, 2005: Deep in the Groove
Lonely Lover
6. Nov 21, 2005: Deep In The Groove
Take Me Back, Build My World Around You

Album Review
Sadie McFarlane
Reviewed 2005-09-19
(Coll) Bunny Lee: Rocksteady Years (Moll-Selekta)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 9/14/05
Classic rocksteady from the top ranking producer of the musical form that bridged ska and reggae in the late 60’s. Pretty much all mid-tempo (because that’s what Rock Steady was), and they all sound like they were produced using a single mike in a bathroom, which isn’t far off either. Meant for dance numbers at “sound system” parties (where people have been known to conceive children while dancing), they all speak of love and try to emulate Motown, but with Jamaica’s inimitable lack of equipment and excess of marijuana. It’s hard to describe the hallmark sound of Rock Steady, so slap on any cut and find out. Be warned – it is NOT slick…
No FCC. All very similar in sound. Track 20 great; 4, 12, 15, 22 kinky cool.
1. falsetto lead vocals with rather unique harmonies
2. interesting vocal take on classic number; longest track on record, rather repetitive piano tinkle
3. tenor vocal on song we’re used to hearing as falsetto. Cute surf vibrato on guitar
4. **echo chamber production and farfisa – what’s not to love?
5. off-key female with baritone backup singer – pretty amusing
6. everything sounds slightly off kilter, but vocals slide into place. Sad song of love, alas
7. *wish the horns were as spot on as the sweet vocal harmonies.
8. *harmonies not as good, but check out the crazy stuttering “bass”
9. pretty odd lyrics, nice bubble in the cheesy keyboard
10. apparently that’s Schroeder on piano (ha!), nice vocals
11. similar to his huge hit “Dancing Mood” (hey, if “loving” works, try it again with “dancing”!)
12. **unique backup vocals, odd chord progression in bridge – cool!
13. largely extemporized vocals, pretty standard sound
14. sounds like a captive elephant helping the horn section. Instruments sound random, singer trying hard to be romantic
15. **cool harmonies, typical Jamaican patois phrasing
16. *decent female vocals, wishful thinking lyrics, neat sax
17. things sound a little off kilter, but ok
18. cover of US hit, pretty straight (echo-laden) vocals
19. nice “juvenile” vocals, another stuttering “bass” number
20. **the total package comes together really well, esp. vocals
21. *classic sound, interesting lyrics, fun bass vox near end
22. **farfisa from hell, falsetto vocals – so weird it’s good
23. awkward intro, nice singing once it gets started, cheesiest organ solo EVER EVER EVER
24. *nice female harmonies, more Jamaican patois phrasing
25. slightly uptempo, truly strange horns. Dem cats is crazy!


Track Listing
 ArtistTrack Name
1. Sensations, the Lonely Lover
2. Uniques, the My Conversation
3. Adams, Glen Hey there Lonely Girl
4. Gray, Owen Take Me Back
5. Penn, Dawn Long Day Short Night
6. Parker, Ken How Could I
7. Smith, Slim Let Me Go Girl
8. Samuels, Winston Don't Believe Him
9. Dunkley, Errol King and Queen
10. Kelly, Pat Dark End of the Street
11. Ellis, Alton Loving Mood
12. Sensations, the Right on Time
13. Adams, Glen I Can't Help It
14. Lewis, Alva In the Park
15. Sensations, the Long Time Me no See You Girl
16. Richards, Cynthia Forever
17. Parker, Ken Somebody to Love
18. Penn, Dawn To Sir with Love
19. Dunkley, Errol I'm Going Home
20. Smith, Slim Build My World Around You
21. Adams, Glen Hold Down Miss Winey
22. Gray, Owen Come Back to Me
23. Sensations, the Born to Love You
24. Webber Sisters What I'm Gonna Do
25. Sterling, Lester & King Cannon Man at Work