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Rocksteady

Rocksteady was a style of popular music that developed out of ska in the 1960s. In its simplest terms, rocksteady is half-speed ska with the trombone replaced by piano and prominent bass. The lyrics are more socially and politically conscious, and there is a greater focus on harmonies, particularly in trios like the Heptones, Gaylads, Dominoes, Aces, and Wailers. Other major figures include Alton Ellis and Ken Boothe. With its relaxed beat and social-protest lyrics, the music served as a forerunner to reggae.

Rocksteady Album Highlights

Rockin' Steady: The Best of Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker Rockin' Steady: The Best of Desmond Dekker
Trojan Box Set: Rock Steady
Various Artists Trojan Box Set: Rock Steady
Ska Bonanza: The Studio One Ska Years
Ska Bonanza Ska Bonanza: The Studio One Ska Years
Foundation Ska
The Skatalites Foundation Ska
Intensified!: Original Ska 1962-1966
Various Artists Intensified!: Original Ska 1962-1966
Time Marches On: Derrick Morgan Sings Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae
Derrick Morgan Time Marches On: Derrick Morgan Sings Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae
Rivers of Babylon: The Best of the Melodians 1967-1973
The Melodians Rivers of Babylon: The Best of the Melodians 1967-1973
The Best of Studio One, Vol. 1
Various Artists The Best of Studio One, Vol. 1
The Meaning of Life: The Best of the Heptones 1966-1976
The Heptones The Meaning of Life: The Best of the Heptones 1966-1976
Cry Tough
Alton Ellis Cry Tough
Rock to the Rock
Bob Marley & the Wailers Rock to the Rock
20 Reggae Classics: The Music That Inspired A Generation
Various Artists 20 Reggae Classics: The Music That Inspired A Generation
A Man and His Hits
Ken Boothe A Man and His Hits
The Story of Jamaican Music: Tougher Than Tough
Various Artists The Story of Jamaican Music: Tougher Than Tough
History of Trojan Records, Vol. 2: 1972-1995
Various Artists History of Trojan Records, Vol. 2: 1972-1995
The Original Reggae Hitsound of Desmond Dekker and the Aces
Desmond Dekker / Desmond Dekker & the Aces The Original Reggae Hitsound of Desmond Dekker and the Aces
Mojo Rock Steady
Various Artists Mojo Rock Steady
Run Rhythm Run
Various Artists Run Rhythm Run
Golden Hits
The Paragons Golden Hits
Reggae Greats: Strictly for Rockers
Various Artists Reggae Greats: Strictly for Rockers
Duke Reid's Treasure Chest
Various Artists Duke Reid's Treasure Chest
Queen Majesty: The Anthology
The Techniques Queen Majesty: The Anthology
Over the Rainbow's End: The Best of the Gaylads
The Gaylads Over the Rainbow's End: The Best of the Gaylads
Treasure Isle Ska: Ska After Ska After Ska
Various Artists Treasure Isle Ska: Ska After Ska After Ska
The Best of Studio One
Various Artists The Best of Studio One
Trojan Box Set: Jamaican Hits
Various Artists Trojan Box Set: Jamaican Hits
The Original Rude Boy
Desmond Dekker The Original Rude Boy
Respect to Studio One
Various Artists Respect to Studio One
The Complete Bob Marley & the Wailers 1967-1972, Pt. 2
Bob Marley The Complete Bob Marley & the Wailers 1967-1972, Pt. 2
Presents His Reggae Review
Clancy Eccles Presents His Reggae Review
Musical Fever 1967-1968
Clement "Coxsone" Dodd Musical Fever 1967-1968
Celebration: 25 Years of Trojan Records
Various Artists Celebration: 25 Years of Trojan Records
The Best of Studio One, Vol. 2: Full Up
Various Artists The Best of Studio One, Vol. 2: Full Up
Lloyd Daley's Matador Productions, 1968-1972
Various Artists Lloyd Daley's Matador Productions, 1968-1972
History of Trojan Records, Vol. 1: 1968-1971
Various Artists History of Trojan Records, Vol. 1: 1968-1971
Trojan Box Set: Tighten Up
Various Artists Trojan Box Set: Tighten Up
Roots of Reggae, Vol. 2: Rock Steady
Various Artists Roots of Reggae, Vol. 2: Rock Steady
Rough Guide to Reggae
Various Artists Rough Guide to Reggae
It's Rockin' Time: Duke Reid's Rock Steady 1967-1968
Various Artists It's Rockin' Time: Duke Reid's Rock Steady 1967-1968
Solid Gold from the Vaults, Vol. 2
Various Artists Solid Gold from the Vaults, Vol. 2
The King Kong Compilation: The Historic Reggae Recordings
Various Artists The King Kong Compilation: The Historic Reggae Recordings
Tougher Than Tough: Rude Boy Ska Rock Steady & Reggae
Various Artists Tougher Than Tough: Rude Boy Ska Rock Steady & Reggae
Kings & Queens of Rocksteady
Various Artists Kings & Queens of Rocksteady
More Intensified Original Ska (1963-1967)
Various Artists More Intensified Original Ska (1963-1967)
Bongo Red
The Gladiators Bongo Red
Double Barrel: The Best of Dave and Ansel Collins
Dave & Ansel Collins Double Barrel: The Best of Dave and Ansel Collins
Listen to the Music: Caltone's Jamacan 45's 1966-69
Various Artists Listen to the Music: Caltone's Jamacan 45's 1966-69
Original Club Ska: Best of Studio One
Various Artists Original Club Ska: Best of Studio One
Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals from Studio One
Downbeat The Ruler Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals from Studio One
Legend
Alton Ellis Legend
Simmer Down at Studio One, Vol. 1
Bob Marley & the Wailers Simmer Down at Studio One, Vol. 1
Jezebel
Justin Hinds & the Dominoes Jezebel
Fabulous Greatest Hits [Melodisc]
Prince Buster Fabulous Greatest Hits [Melodisc]
Rudy Got Soul: The Complete Early Years 1963-1968
Desmond Dekker Rudy Got Soul: The Complete Early Years 1963-1968
Long Shot Kick de Bucket: The Best of the Pioneers
The Pioneers Long Shot Kick de Bucket: The Best of the Pioneers
The Original Golden Oldies, Vol. 2
Prince Buster The Original Golden Oldies, Vol. 2
The Best of the Uniques 1967-1969
Slim Smith & the Uniques The Best of the Uniques 1967-1969
Trench Town Mix Up
The Gladiators Trench Town Mix Up
Heroes of Reggae Dub
The Skatalites Heroes of Reggae Dub
Carry Go Bring Come: Anthology '64-'74
Justin Hinds / Justin Hinds & the Dominoes Carry Go Bring Come: Anthology '64-'74
Jackpot of Hits: Explosive Rocksteady
Various Artists Jackpot of Hits: Explosive Rocksteady
The Wailing Wailers at Studio One, Vol. 2
Bob Marley & the Wailers The Wailing Wailers at Studio One, Vol. 2
Anthology: Israelites 1963-1999
Desmond Dekker Anthology: Israelites 1963-1999
Red Bumb Ball: Rare and Unreleased Rocksteady
Various Artists Red Bumb Ball: Rare and Unreleased Rocksteady
My Girl Wears My Crown (Rock Steady 1966-1968)
Tommy McCook & the Supersonics / The Paragons My Girl Wears My Crown (Rock Steady 1966-1968)
Funky Kingston/In the Dark
Toots & the Maytals Funky Kingston/In the Dark
Love Is All I Had: A Tribute to the Queen of Jamaican Soul
Phyllis Dillon Love Is All I Had: A Tribute to the Queen of Jamaican Soul
Ska Man Classics
Derrick Morgan Ska Man Classics
Fire and Rain
The Gaylads Fire and Rain
OK Fred: The Best of Errol Dunkley
Errol Dunkley OK Fred: The Best of Errol Dunkley
Know Jah Better
Justin Hinds Know Jah Better
Sweet Sensation
The Melodians Sweet Sensation
Soul Defenders at Studio One
Soul Defenders Soul Defenders at Studio One
Do the Reggae 1966-70
The Maytals Do the Reggae 1966-70
Engine 54
The Ethiopians Engine 54
Dreadlocks, The Time Is Now
The Gladiators Dreadlocks, The Time Is Now
Top Rock Steady
Various Artists Top Rock Steady
Soulful Love: The Best of Pat Kelly: 1967 to 1974
Pat Kelly Soulful Love: The Best of Pat Kelly: 1967 to 1974
Intensified
Desmond Dekker / Desmond Dekker & the Aces Intensified
The Keyboard King at Studio One
Jackie Mittoo The Keyboard King at Studio One
Sweet Talking
The Heptones Sweet Talking
All the Hits
The Ethiopians All the Hits
The Story of Treasure Isle
Various Artists The Story of Treasure Isle
Sea of Love
The Heptones Sea of Love
Wake Up Jamaica, Vol. 1
Various Artists Wake Up Jamaica, Vol. 1
Everything I Own: Definitive Collection
Ken Boothe Everything I Own: Definitive Collection
Reggae Hit the Town [#1]
The Ethiopians Reggae Hit the Town [#1]
Moods
The Tennors Moods
Observer's Style
The Heptones Observer's Style
Slave Call
The Ethiopians Slave Call
21 Hits Salute
Derrick Morgan 21 Hits Salute
For a Fistful of Dollars
Derrick Harriott For a Fistful of Dollars
Pressure!
The Heptones Pressure!
Keep That Lovelight Shining
Slim Smith Keep That Lovelight Shining
Solid Gold: Coxsone Style
Various Artists Solid Gold: Coxsone Style
The Complete Bob Marley & the Wailers 1967-1972, Pt. 1
Bob Marley The Complete Bob Marley & the Wailers 1967-1972, Pt. 1