V/A - Ska From The Vaults Of Federal Records

[Kingston Sounds Records]

Killer early ska rocksteady comp!

"Federal Records was the first domestic Jamaican studio, based at 220 Foreshore Road, Hagley Park, Kingston. It opened it's doors in 1961 and was owned by Ken Khouri who first licensed American records to the island of Jamaica, before cutting his own tunes, which were some of the first Jamaican R&B and ska singles. Ken Khouri initial studio was Records Limited but very basic so with the help of engineer Graeme Goodall built the new studio complex at 220 Foreshore Road which also contained a pressing plant and disc cutting room. The studio was not only the forerunner for ska music but the music that followed and in 1981 Ken Khouri sold the complex now on the renamed road Marcus Garvey Drive to Bob Marley who renamed the premises Tuff Gong Studios whose legacy carries on today. Kingston Sounds have compiled some of the best ska sounds that came out of the Federal Vaults, with some of the best artists, musicians from the time. The great Lord Tanomo, Don Drummond, Rico Rodriguez, Roland Alphonso, alongside some lesser-known artists. However, one thing is for sure, the quality never drops on this fine collection of ska hot tunes. Also features Reuben Anderson, The Skatalites, Ferdie Nelson, Bibby And The Astronauts, Ivan Jap, and Jackie Opel."