Soon after embarking on a career as a record producer in 1966, record retailer and jukebox businessman Karl ‘J.J.’ Johnson, enjoyed a series of significant Jamaican hits with a number of local artists, notably the Rulers and Carl Dawkins. The hits continued throughout the rock steady era, with the Kingstonians and Eric Donaldson’s West Indians joining Johnson’s small, but popular roster of acts. These and many more feature on this, the very first compilation to focus on J.J. Johnson’s pre-reggae output. A superb collection on its own or as a companion volume to the recently released “Reggae Power” 2CD anthology, this essential set includes 34 tracks new to CD and many more that have remained unavailable for years.

• - 1 -

  • 1. Give Me Justice - Lee Perry
  • 2. I Need Your Love - Earl Lowden & the Fugitives
  • 3. Evil Love - the Uniques
  • 4. Baby Why - Earl Lowden With the Fugitives
  • 5. The Wood Man - Lee Perry
  • 6. Never Go Away - Earl Lowden & the Fugitives
  • 7. Be Good - the Rulers
  • 8. Baby I Love You - Carl Dawkins
  • 9. People of Today - Earl Lowden & the Fugitives
  • 10. Don't Be Rude - the Rulers
  • 11. J.J. Special - Val Bennett & the Carib Beats
  • 12. Hard Time - Carl Dawkins
  • 13. Too Late - the Rulers
  • 14. I'm Depending On You - the Vibrators
  • 15. I Won't Give In - Carl Dawkins
  • 16. Copasetic - the Rulers
  • 17. Addams Family Rock Steady the Carib Beats
  • 18. All of a Sudden - Carl Dawkins
  • 19. Man Free - the Viceroys
  • 20. Why Don't You Change - the Rulers
  • 21. Hep Time (Help Time) - Carl Dawkins
  • 22. Nosey People - the Viceroys
  • 23. Dangerous Tool - the Inspirations
  • 24. Running Shoes - Carl Dawkins
  • 25. Innocent Man - the Viceroys
  • 26. Wrong Emboyo - the Rulers
  • 27. Hot and Sticky - Carl Dawkins
  • 28. Calling Soul - Raymond Harper & the Carib Beats

• - 2 -

  • 1. Winey Winey - the Kingstonians
  • 2. Beauty is Only Skin Deep - the Soul Leaders
  • 3. Let My People Go - the Rulers
  • 4. I Don't Care - the Kingstonians
  • 5. I Need Money Inspirations
  • 6. Your Safe Keep - Primo & Hopeton
  • 7. More Wine - the Kingstonians
  • 8. Be Mine - the Rulers
  • 9. Pour On the Sauce - the Soul Leaders
  • 10. Crime Don't Pay - the Kingstonians
  • 11. Loving and Kind - Primo & Hopeton
  • 12. Hokey Pokey - the West Indians
  • 13. Fun Galore - the Kingstonians
  • 14. Well Covered - the Rulers
  • 15. I Mean It - the West Indians
  • 16. Mommy and Daddy - the Kingstonians
  • 17. Soul Food Lyn Taitt & the Jets
  • 18. Falling In Love - the West Indians
  • 19. False Witness - the Kingstonians
  • 20. Slot Machine - Ossie & the Kilowatts
  • 21. Right On Time - the West Indians
  • 22. Girls Like Dirt -the Kingstonians
  • 23. Real Cool Operator - Ossie & the Kilowatts
  • 24. Bring It On Home To Me - the Kilowatts
  • 25. Music Flames - Errol Brown
  • 26. Put Down Your Fire - the Kingstonians
  • 27. What a Wonderful World - the Kilowatts
  • 28. Merry Christmas - the Kingstonians