17 North Parade Unleashes Hit Parade of Jamaican Classics on Five New Releases

17 North Parade has announced the re-issue of five essential albums that capture the crucial messages and music of Jamaica in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. From Toots & The Maytals to Tenor Saw, from Steelie & Clevie to Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson, from Harold Butler to Half Pint, the material now being made available represents a unique collection of Jamaica’s finest artists and producers who defined their respective eras and musical styles. Remastered and featuring extended liner notes and bonus tracks, we are proud to bring these hits and hit-makers back to life for dedicated collectors looking to improve their collection and casual fans interested in experiencing the authentic reggae vibe.

HAROLD BUTLER – THE BUTLER DID IT

Release Date: AUGUST 12

This rare LP which has never resurfaced since it’s original 1978

release features one of Jamaica‘s premier pianists and musical

arrangers in Harold Butler who leads a star-studded set of musicians

and artists from their early days including Beres Hammond, Cynthia

Schloss, Pam Hall & Prilly Hamilton (lead singer on Third World‘s

debut album). If it sounds this good, it must be the ‘Butler‘ who did it.

THE MAYTALS – THE SENSATIONAL MAYTALS

Release date: AUGUST 12

An expanded re-issue of Toots & The Maytals second album

produced by Byron Lee & Ronnie Nasralla and originally released

in 1965, a time when the Maytals where arguably the dominant

vocal group in Jamaica, The Sensational Maytals represents classic

Ska music at a time when the music crossed over to an international

audience through Mr. Lee’s extensive touring and participation in

New York‘s 1964 World’s Fair. Originally recorded at Jamaica‘s

Federal Recording Studio and released as a 12-track album, we have

added 6 bonus tracks from when Toots & The Maytals shifted to Rock

Steady the following year. For the first time ever the complete early

works of The Maytals in partnership with Byron Lee & The

Dragonnaires come together on one CD.

TENOR SAW & NITTY GRITTY – TENOR SAW MEETS NITTY GRITTY

Release date: SEPTEMBER 9

Starting with the original 8 tracks on the Power House LP of the

same name, 17 North Parade presents this reissue LP inna

showdown style with the artists (who are also cousins) facing off,

track for track. In addition, we have included 4 of the biggest songs

from each artist for various producers to complete the musical

confrontation. While Tenor Saw and Nitty Gritty both passed away

prematurely, they will forever symbolize a high point of the

Waterhouse style of singing that originated with the likes of Michael

Rose, Don Carlos and Junior Reid, and now immortalized in this crucial

LP re-issue.

VARIOUS ARTISTS – OLD TO THE NEW (DELUXE): A TRIBUTE TO JOE GIBBS CLASSICS
Release date: SEPTEMBER 9

A deluxe CD re-issue of Steely & Clevie’s brilliant update of Joe

Gibbs & Errol Thompson‘s most popular and beloved hit songs (and

the album that brought us Sean Paul & Sasha’s monumental “I’m Still

In Love With You” smash) now includes a second disc featuring all

of the classic Mighty Two productions in all of their glory while

celebrating the life of Jamaica’s most revered musical teacher,

Joe Gibbs. The old and the new come together here, and justifiably so.

HALF PINT – GREETINGS (SPECIAL EDITION)

Release Date: SEPTEMBER 9

Already the most popular album in the Power House catalog, this 17

North Parade Special Edition release includes 7 additional tracks from

Half Pint previously heard only as singles on the Power House

imprint… until now. Featuring what is widely viewed as Half Pint’s

greatest hit, the ragamuffin anthem and title track Greetings, along

with classics such as Level The Vibes and Living Is Hard, these

George Phang productions show ‘Pint’ at the top of his game and are

a significant sign of the times, just prior to reggae’s ‘digital revolution.

 

Launched in 2007 by VP Records, the 17 North Parade imprint pays homage to the historic location of Randy’s Record Mart, the premier recording studio and record shop in Kingston and mecca for Reggae music between the late 60’s and 70’s. 17 North Parade is dedicated to preserving and reintroducing the recordings of the Caribbean’s most influential musical pioneers.