Various Artists: Do The Rock Steady 1966-1968 (CD)

As the frantic, frenetic pace of ska finally let up in 1966 the cool, cool sound of rock steady came to the fore. This languid, soulful music was the complete musical antithesis of its more famous antecedent and the gentle guitar of Lyn Taitt would forever define the sound of rock steady.

Trinidadian Nerlyn ‘Lyn’ Taitt had been given a contract by Byron Lee to travel to Jamaica to play at the Independence celebrations in 1962 but fell in love with Jamaica and decided to stay joining The Sheiks and then The Cavaliers before forming Lyn Taitt & The Comets. Lyn also recorded as a guest guitarist with The Skatalites before Lyn Taitt & The Jets came together in 1966.

The rock steady beat was slower, more measured and the emphasis was placed on the bass. It no longer gave equal emphasis to every beat but, instead, played a repeated pattern that syncopated the rhythm. The rhythmic focus shifted to the core of the music to the bass and the drums where it has remained ever since.

Lyn Taitt & The Jets were soon in such great demand that they would often play up to five sessions a day for as many different producers but they were not the only rock steady band. When the Skatalites had broken up in 1965 Jackie Mittoo formed Studio One’s house band The Soul Brothers (who soon became The Soul Vendors) and Tommy McCook decided to work with Duke Reid at Treasure Isle studio with The Supersonics. Bobby Aitken’s Carib Beats eschewed subtlety for drive but together these musicians were responsible for establishing the rules of rock steady music. Their gentle approach allowed vocalists such as Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe and Desmond Dekker and harmony groups including The Techniques, The Melodians, The Uniques and The Paragons and many, many more to demonstrate their prowess.

Rock steady only lasted for a brief period, from 1966 to 1968, but its significance to the subsequent development of Jamaican music is incalculable and it would go on to shape each successive musical movement over the next four decades. Deejays, dub, digital and dance hall all stepped to the tune and pace of rhythms whose origins were grounded in the rock steady beat and it is impossible to ever overstate its importance... or its beauty.

1. People Rock Steady - The Uniques
   
2. Musical Train - Roy Shirley & Glen Adams
   
3. Hold Down Miss Winey - Glen Adams
   
4. Forever - Cynthia Richards
   
5. Right On Time - The Sensations
6. Till I Die - Delroy Winston
   
7. The Beatitude - The Unique
8. Don't Believe Him - Winston Samuels
   
9. Touch Them (Never Let Them Go) - Roy Shirley
   
10. Revelation - Alva 'Reggie' Lewis
    
11. Love and Devotion - Slim Smith
    
12. The Russians Are Coming - Val Bennett
    
13. Run Come Dance - Glen Adams
    
14. Long Time Me No See You Girl - The Sensations