The immediate successor to ska, the soulful, melodic sound of rock steady first developed during the long hot Jamaican summer of 1966 and reigned supreme thereafter for two glorious years before finally being superseded by the more energetic style of reggae. Despite its relatively brief period as the island's national sound, the rhythms of many of its biggest hits have continued to influence and inspire music-makers to the present day, resulting in renewed interest in the sub-genre among record buyers in recent years. This superb 2xLP vinyl collection features 24 of the most popular recordings of the rock steady era, including the UK hits, '007', 'Train to Skaville' and 'It Miek' and The Maytals' anthemic dance-filler, '54 46 That's My Number'.
Disc One
- 007 (Shanty Town) - Desmond Dekker & The Aces
- Am the Upsetter - Lee 'Scratch' Perry
- Somebody's Baby - Pat Kelly
- Once Upon a Time - Delroy Wilson
- Wrong Embryo - The Rulers
- Right On Time - The Sensations
- I'm in a Rocking Mood - Austin Faithful
- 54-46 That's My Number - The Maytals
- Memories By the Score - The Paragons
- Copasetic - The Rulers
- Conquering Ruler - Derrick Morgan
- Seeing Is Knowing (With Lyn Taitt & the Jets) - Stranger & Gladdy
- Baby Baby (Aka 5-10-15 Hours) - Val Bennett
- People Get Ready Do Rock Steady - The Uniques
Disc Two
- The Russians Are Coming (Aka Take 5) - Val Bennett
- A It Mek - Desmond Dekker & The Aces
- Hold Them - Roy Shirley
- Winey Winey - The Kingstonians
- Lip and Tongue - The Viceroys
- Girl You Ruff - Overtakers
- Do It to Me Baby - Lloyd & The Groovers
- Return of Django (Feat. Val Bennett) - The Upsetters
- Train to Skaville - The Ethiopians
- Intensified '68 (Music Like Dirt) - Desmond Dekker & The Aces
- My Conversation - The Uniques
- Over Again - Stranger & Gladdy
- Ride Your Donkey - The Tennors
- Judge Dread in Court - Derrick Morgan