REGGAY UNDERCOVER is an exciting musical kaleidoscope of Jamaican and Reggae music from the early 60s through to the mid-70s.
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 R&B in America, and Jamaican dancehall owners like Duke Reid and Clement Dodd turned to local musicians to record their own versions of American R&B. The trend of covering foreign hits exploded during the Ska heyday of the early 60s and continued through the Rocksteady and Reggae 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 already existing covers. Cover of cover of cover...
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 DJ Helea, brilliantly demonstrates. Attention we are here "undercover", there are no well-known covers. Some of the tracks selected are rare, others unknown or forgotten - but all are excellent and blended in an impeccable mix, in line with previous Harlem Shuffle compilations... All Killer, No Filler!
| 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 Lloyd, 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 (3) - Crowded City |
