Alton Ellis

Alton just died at the age of 74 in London in October 2008.
I have astonished my friends by calling Alton the greatest soul singer of all time. Sam Cooke would be my choice for second.
Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke all died at early ages.
Alton made few albums later in his life, but in these songs and albums - many not on cd - he demonstrated maturity and power that carried his genius even further than his early productions.
He never got the recognition he deserved, nor the commercial success. I feel his later work is every bit as good as his classic early work.
Ironically, Sean Paul probably did more to popularize his work than he did himself in the great song "I'm still in Love", which became a big hit and faithfully used the same phrasing and musicality of the original.
Alton recorded his most famous songs at Treasure Isle Studio and Studio one.
Alton once said in a live interview I heard on radio that Coxsone Dodd of Studio One was a "better music man" than Duke Reid of Treasure Isle. But he recorded many of the same songs at both studios.
I assume the songs on this cd are from Treasure Isle however.
When I was first introduced to Alton I was told that what set him apart from everyone was "heart". The man has a humanity and purity of feeling and goodness that elevated him beyond his peers as an artist.
Alton's sister Hortense was in the top ranks of female reggae singers though she recorded little, but made one great Studio One album with Alton, also on cd.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CDS I HAVE. I HAD ONLY HEARD ONE SONG FROM ALTON ELLIS, "YOU MADE ME SO VERY HAPPY" AND I THOUGHT THAT HE MIGHT HAVE MORE BETTER SONGS. AND HE DOES!! THIS IS ALL I HAVE BEEN LISTENING AT WORK FOR THE PAST WEEK. ITS GOOD THAT IT HAS MORE THAN 50 SONGS!!!

As the first reviewer stated this vocalist was most likely better in his younger years. This cd, in my opinion can be quite a trial to get through having so many , sound nearly alike songs on one c.d. Which is why most people prefer compilations by a number of artists. It only took the producers 30 years to figure that one out.

Alton Ellis is still performing, but his peak as a recording artist was in the 1960s and 70s - the period this extensive comp covers. Many of his classics, such as Cry Tough, Rock Steady, (Girl) I've Got a Date and Breaking up are here on the first disc.
But I like the second latter period disc even more. There are some great rare tracks like Alton's Official Daughter where Alton sings 'my little daughter,need a lots of water', and Harder and Harder. The second disc also features more rasta-themed tracks which Alton handles just as well as his rock steady classics, and soul/funk covers such as It's My Thing. So, one of the best Alton comps out there.

Alton just died at the age of 74 in London in October 2008.
I have astonished my friends by calling Alton the greatest soul singer of all time. Sam Cooke would be my choice for second.
Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke all died at early ages.
Alton made few albums later in his life, but in these songs and albums - many not on cd - he demonstrated maturity and power that carried his genius even further than his early productions.
He never got the recognition he deserved, nor the commercial success. I feel his later work is every bit as good as his classic early work.
Ironically, Sean Paul probably did more to popularize his work than he did himself in the great song "I'm still in Love", which became a big hit and faithfully used the same phrasing and musicality of the original.
Alton recorded his most famous songs at Treasure Isle Studio and Studio one.
Alton once said in a live interview I heard on radio that Coxsone Dodd of Studio One was a "better music man" than Duke Reid of Treasure Isle. But he recorded many of the same songs at both studios.
I assume the songs on this cd are from Treasure Isle however.
When I was first introduced to Alton I was told that what set him apart from everyone was "heart". The man has a humanity and purity of feeling and goodness that elevated him beyond his peers as an artist.
Alton's sister Hortense was in the top ranks of female reggae singers though she recorded little, but made one great Studio One album with Alton, also on cd.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CDS I HAVE. I HAD ONLY HEARD ONE SONG FROM ALTON ELLIS, "YOU MADE ME SO VERY HAPPY" AND I THOUGHT THAT HE MIGHT HAVE MORE BETTER SONGS. AND HE DOES!! THIS IS ALL I HAVE BEEN LISTENING AT WORK FOR THE PAST WEEK. ITS GOOD THAT IT HAS MORE THAN 50 SONGS!!!

As the first reviewer stated this vocalist was most likely better in his younger years. This cd, in my opinion can be quite a trial to get through having so many , sound nearly alike songs on one c.d. Which is why most people prefer compilations by a number of artists. It only took the producers 30 years to figure that one out.

Alton Ellis is still performing, but his peak as a recording artist was in the 1960s and 70s - the period this extensive comp covers. Many of his classics, such as Cry Tough, Rock Steady, (Girl) I've Got a Date and Breaking up are here on the first disc.
But I like the second latter period disc even more. There are some great rare tracks like Alton's Official Daughter where Alton sings 'my little daughter,need a lots of water', and Harder and Harder. The second disc also features more rasta-themed tracks which Alton handles just as well as his rock steady classics, and soul/funk covers such as It's My Thing. So, one of the best Alton comps out there.

great, great, great ! He is the otis redding of rocksteady. Wonderful voice, beautiful melody.....this record is a classic for those like roots reggae, love song and ....sunny sunday .

I would have to say this is the perfect place to start if you are just starting to get into Alton Ellis or Rocksteady. Ellis has one of the most expressive voices I've ever heard and it really comes out on these recordings. I was going to list some of the highlights of this album, but I can't think of a song I wouldn't recommend. Everything on this album, from the originals to the covers, is amazing.

What a joy it is to see this album. I pulled it out last evening and gave it the 100th or so once over and was still smiling ear to ear before, during, and after, the listen.

Ellis is the crooner par excellence in the rocksteady game, and this collection proves it and then some. His relationship with the legendary Duke Reid allowed Ellis carte blanche to do what he did best-not only write brilliant original tunes, but also take popular soul or R&B tunes from the era and making them so much reggae and his iwn that they superceded the term "cover tune."

And what tunes this lp has. Many cover tunes grace this lp, and after a few listens, one begins to appreciate Ellis' gift for making them his own. In many cases, including on Chuck Jackson's "Willow Tree," the Delfonics' clasic "La La Means I Love You," Junior Walker's "What Does It Take," and Blood Sweat and Tear's anthem "You Make Me So Very Happy," Ellis' renditions are so amazing that you almost forget that he didn't pen those tunes.

And the tunes he DID pen on this compilation are no less amazing. "Why Birds Follow Spring" is a gorgeous showcase for Ellis, as his voice fills the room, soaring over the equally great backing vocals. Other great originals include the understated "If I Could Rule This World," "Cry Tough," Ellis' reply to the Rude Boy movement (led by the Wailers) that he so disliked, "Can't Stand It," which U-Roy would make a hit in the late 70's, and Ellis' socially aware masterpiece, the touching "Black Man,White Man" (also known as "Black Man's Pride")

This compilation is a perfect look into the mind and inner workings of the Duke Reid era Ellis, who's voice insipred the likes of Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown, among many. The voice is amazing, as is the cd. A must have.

Not much to say except this is a gorgeously sweet, rhythmic album. Cream in your coffee, water clear as gine. I can go for weeks playing it every day.

Alton just died at the age of 74. I once told a friend, a big fan of Bob Marley but also Motown and American R&B, that Alton Ellis is the greatest soul singer of all time. He was incredulous. But he hadn't ever heard him before.
First of all, Sam Cooke died at 32 (I would give him second place), Otis Redding at 27, and Marvin Gaye in his early 30s. Smokey Robinson I would put in the running too.
Alton not only had more years to improve his body of work than his short-lived American competition, he also, like Bob Marley, matured and wrote some of his greatest songs later in life.
Unfortunately he never reached the international heights of recognition he deserved. Probably he is best known for Sean Paul's version of his "I'm Still in Love with You".
Alton was no Rude Boy, slacker or dance hall poseur. Like Bob Marley, his songs consistently exalt human rights and dignity. His love songs though really excel.
It is his HEART that sets him apart. FEELING. Along with Gregory Isaacs and Bob Marley, he is the greatest vocalist Jamaica has ever produced. That is saying a lot, because the little island of Jamaica has produced many great singers, most of whom remain very obscure. More than any other nation per capita by a factor of 100s.
Alton has produced some great vinyl albums with songs that have never made it to CD. This is true of at least a half dozen other great reggae albums by other singers. Alton's Silver Jubilee albums for example have great versions and songs not on any CD. Also, there is no CD with his version - the greatest of all - of the banned song "Fat Girl".
His sister Hortense arguably is the greatest female singer produced by Jamaica. Other contenders are Judy Mowatt and Phyllis Dillon. I would add The Lovejoys. She is understated and best when she sings Alton's songs, as well as a few other great Studio One songs found only on compendium albums and this one.

I can't add much to the excellent review given by the prior writers (kudos for that review- excellent!!! I'm glad there are other Ellis fans out there), so I will only add what I can to help strengthen their review.

This collection was not a proper lp at any point, though it should have been. The songs are first rate examples of Ellis' rocksteady power. "Willow Tree" was a hit for him in late '66, and "People Make the World Go Round" was also a minor hit; so my guess would be that these songs were recorded around the late summer to fall of '66 (remember, technology was basic then- many lps were recorded live in the studio, as overdubbing was not yet common, especially in Jamaica- until King Tubby and Scratch got their paws on such machinery).

As for "Breakfast In Bed," it is no worse than the Heptones' banned clasic "Fattie Fattie" though the point is well taken as to how it got radio play..who knows when it comes to censorship?

As always, Ellis showcases his soulful voice to great effect on this collection, and his powers were rarely sharper. This lp, along with any others that showcase his Studio One output ("Sunday Coming," "Sings Rock and Soul") come very highly recommended. Delicious.

This CD, to the best of my knowledge, was never a proper LP. Rather, it is a collection of singles. They are either duets or solo performances, from sometime in the mid to late-60's, the peak of the rock steady period (which was basically Jamaican interpretations of the Detroit and Memphis R&B scenes).

To the unacquainted: Alton, at this stage in his career, was the Jamaican Marvin Gaye and on these performances espescially, the subtle nuances (use of breath sounds, vibrato, etc.) of his voice are without fault. He gives the impression that he can bend and shape a tone at will. Now, on the other hand, Hortense displays an Astrud Gilberto-esque innocence. It's as though she's singing, not as a professional but, as a result of having actually lived the tribulations behind these love songs.

Amazing productiuon and engineering. Tactful and subtle musicianship. And other than the altered "Breakfast in Bed" (a racy little tune that, as the metaphors reveal themselves, makes one wonder how it actually recieved airplay), none of the songs have been remixed or dubbed over. These are classic rock steady performences that rival America's best and most soulful moments. I've got over a thousand records and this ranks among my favorites. If you've got friends that can't get past the (horribly misinterpreted) hippie stigma of reggae, this is the record that will win them over!

this is a verey graet album to start off you rocksteady/reggae
cd collecton. Alton Ellis grat voice and soulful leric is what give this cd a life of its owne. give it a lison for your self