Duke’s Cookies: Duke Reid’s Mento, Shuffle Blues and Ska 1960-1962

First comprehensive anthology of the early productions of Jamaican legend, Duke Reid. Includes 20 tracks new to CD. Features some of the most popular and influential Jamaican recordings of the early 1960s.

The influence of Duke Reid upon the development of the Jamaican music industry can never be overstated. During the 1950s, he dominated the island’s sound system scene, initially specializing in rare R&B imports from the US before turning to local talent to create ‘exclusives’ for his powerful sound. These early productions proved so popular that many were subsequently officially released as 7” singles, primarily on the distinctive ‘Duke Reid’s’ record label in Jamaica, and Melodisc’s famed ‘Blue Beat’ subsidiary in the UK.

Yet despite the popularity and influence of Reid’s early works, a serious anthology of his recorded output from this period has until now remained unavailable. This collection finally makes up for lost time with almost the entirety of his released work from this time collected across three discs, combining major Jamaican hits performed by some of the island’s leading foundation artists with almost forgotten rarities from one-hit wonders.

As a stand-alone release or a companion to previous Doctor Bird and Trojan Duke Reid collections, this essential 3CD set not only provides a fascinating musical insight into the origins of Jamaica’s national sound, but also provides the opportunity to hear some of the finest mento, shuffle blues, and proto-ska sounds of the period.

Track Listing:

DISC ONE

1. "Penny Reel" – Lord Power

2. "I’m Going Home" – Chuck & Dobby

3. "Lollipop Girl" – The Jiving Juniors

4. "Duke’s Cookies" – Rico Rodriguez

5. "Tell Me (Pretty Baby)" – Chuck & Dobby

6. "My Heart’s Desire" – The Jiving Juniors

7. "Green Door" – Roland Alphonso

8. "Marjorie" – Alvin & Cecil

9. "Running Around" – Chuck & Dobby

10. "I Wanna Love" – The Jiving Juniors

11. "Blackberry Brandy" – Roland Alphonso

12. "Oh Fanny" – Chuck & Dobby

13. "I Love You" – The Jiving Juniors

14. "In And Out The Window" – Monty & Roy

15. "Tra La La Boogie" – Drumbago & His Orchestra

16. "Dearest Darling" – The Jiving Juniors

17. "Feel So Fine (take 2)" – Derrick & Patsy

18. "Low Down Dirty Girl" – Laurel Aitken

19. "Mean To Me" – Roland Alphonso

20. "Let The Good Times Roll" – Derrick & Patsy

21. "Sweetie Pie" – Monty & Roy

22. "Let George Do It" – Rico Rodriguez

23. "Judgement Day" – Laurel Aitken

24. "You Done Me Wrong (take 2)" – Derrick & Patsy

25. "Duck Soup" – Drumbago’s All Stars

26. "Baby Please Don’t Leave Me" – Derrick & Patsy

27. "Magic" – Duke Reid & His Group

28. "Chambonia" – Lord Power

Stay tuned for the track listing of DISC TWO and DISC THREE.