14

And:

The Gaylads - Over the Rainbow's End

Lovely

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G36-DqXRzSQ

13

Couple of classic from The Gaylads, first up:

The Gaylads - It's Hard to Confess

Love the sound of these harmony bands, the lovely vocals, the heavy bass, just so uplifting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llmnAmmfq7A

11

Derrick Morgan feat George Agard - Me Naw Give Up

Pure dance music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n21S31DLkjM

10

Derrick Morgan - I Mean It

This is just shockingly good. Proper goosebumps listening to this one. Had to rewind twice. Just check out those pianos backing Derrick's voice, the bass, how perfectly they all complement each other, so so good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNaM0rzixLY

9

Love this sound:

Basil Daley and the Conquerors - So Nice Like Rice

1968. Seems to have also been (mis-)credited to 'Charlie Kelly' at some point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3WGLrZU40Q

8

Oh my:

Noel "Bunny" Brown & The Wildcats - The Rock Steady

Lovely, lovely sound. Great voice. Love it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37_mcTX4Q7g

7

Winston & George - Keep the Pressure On (Alternative version)

Such a feel-good sound, lovely stuff! George Agard was Desmond Dekker's (half) brother, later of The Pioneers; seems like this might be the only credit for Winston Weir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlMKG-y18LY

6

Another one from The Consummates:

The Consummates - Do It Now

These guys really knew how to make music. No idea why they had so few releases, this (from 1968) is wonderful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9pgxVavsVk

5

The late, great Alton Ellis:

Alton Ellis - Never Love Again

The Godfather of Rocksteady. Fantastic song, again on the bittersweet side, but his voice...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkZoTlUIuqk

4

More rocksteady...

The Clarendonians - Baby, Baby

The Clarendonians made a name releasing ska, before moving on to rocksteady and early reggae. This from 1968, Tommy McCook's Band on backing, is kind of bittersweet - lovely, yet melancholy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh2__N-Nn9w

3

And in the same mood, this one:

The Consummates - The More They Get

Or was it The Consumates? These guys don't even have a Wikipedia page, which is a shame given how good this is. Seems like it was maybe Frank Brown, with Lynn Taitt & The Jets. No idea the year this was recorded, just somewhere 66-68.

Real message for our times in this one, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9mHG4B_wNM

2

Second one from The Viceroys

The Viceroys - Give It to Him

From 1968. Also produced by Derrick Morgan. Also fantastic. Literal goosebumps when that bassline kicks in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDilMxKm1TU

1

First up, as I'm in a 'rocking mood' (if you get the reference...), a couple of scorchers from The Viceroys

The Viceroys - Let Him Go (Wrap Up)

Really don't know much about this song. Produced by Derrick Morgan, maybe with Lynn Taitt & The Jets. Not even listed on Discogs except on some 21st century compilations so maybe unreleased back then. But it's fantastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCWX-ypQFGw