Alton Ellis – Love To Share LP

Description

LP version. Radiation Roots present a reissue ofAlton Ellis‘sLove To Share, originally released in 1979. One of Jamaica’s most highly-rated vocalists, Alton Ellis made an incredible contribution to the island’s popular music. Blessed with a particularly emotive voice that brings shivers to the spine, whether singing original material or cover tunes, Ellis was born and raised in Trench Town, the west Kingston ghetto area that gave rise toBob Marley and the Wailersand countless other singers. Ellis and singing partnerEddie Parkinshit big in 1961 with the ballad “Muriel” forCoxsone Dodd, and after Parkins moved to the USA, Ellis teamed briefly withJohn Holt, and then began fronting theFlamesharmony group. He excelled in the rocksteady style, christening the genre with “Rock Steady” and “I Have Got A Date”, bouncing between Studio One and Treasure Isle for a number of years. From 1971, he spent increasing period in London, but continued to record hits in Jamaica for various producers. The 1979 releaseLove To Sharewas arranged by the great Studio One keyboardistJackie Mittoo, who co-produced the album withJunior Lincoln, founder of the London-based Bamboo label; the disc straddles the line between lover’s rock and roots reggae, remaining a lesser-known classic.