My Crucial Selection is The Jamaicans, “Dedicated To You”.
This was not an easy choice because I love all my ska, rocksteady and reggae 7” vinyl records. However this pick is one of the first platters I bought out of a vendors suitcase down by the docks in Bermondsey, South East London in the early seventies. This is when I first started my DJing journey with my original sound systems, Boss Sounds and Sound City in Dartford, Kent.
The tune was recorded in Jamaica in 1967 on the original orange Trojan label. It was one of Trojans first singles, #TR007 produced by Duke Reid. There is also another version on Duke Reid’s Treasure Island label with Tommy McCook & The Supersonics (Treasure Island studio band), with a different B-Side.
I removed the label before it got a public airing as I did with most of my rarities back in the day because I didn’t want competing DJ’s to “copy me tune”, as they took a lot of sourcing through contacts at the docks and Shazam was still three decades away.
This 45 can usually still be found in my crate ‘box of magic’ and gets a spin regularly, always with a good reception.
On the flip side is “Things I Said To You” which is a more mellow tune.
Skaman Selecta
For the past 19 years Steve has been plying his trade in New Zealand bars, festivals and clubs. Originally from South East London UK, he selects from his vast and evolving collection of original 60 and 70’s ska, rocksteady and Jamaican reggae. He has toured with bands including The Skatalites, Bad Manners, The Selector and the Original Wailers.
Skaman has hosted radio shows, in New Zealand, Australia and Rarotonga and also spoken on the ‘History of Ska’ at Massey University and The New Zealand Film Archive.
