Alton Ellis is dubbed the "godfather of Rocksteady" and by virtue of that title is also the paterfamilias of Jamaica's reggae styles. Rocksteady is a synthesis of ska, which was on it's way out of mainstream popularity by the mid 60's, Reggae and Dub which would only become distinct styles of their own a few years after Alton Ellis and Jamaican producers pioneered the techniques and rhythms that would become mainstays of the island's cultural identity. Ellis habitually adopted American pop songs to his own musical style and imported jump blues and doo-wop styles to the island along with them. Releasing singles on 7" records was the main mode of distribution through the florescence of Rocksteady and well into the Reggae age so most of Ellis' full length records are compilations of different singles and frankly a little hit or miss so I made this compilation of my personal favorites and songs that telegraph later styles.
Alton Ellis - Sun of Jamaica
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