Jackie Mittoo, organ and piano maestro, was also one of the founding
members of Jamaica's top session band The Skatalites. Musical arranger for Studio One
he provided the backbone to so many of Jamaica's finest tunes. The invention of Ska music
and the sounds that rode through the Rocksteady and Reggae period all carry his stamp.
Whether it be in his various incarnations, the aforementioned Skatalites, The Soul Brothers,
Soul Vendors and the Sound Dimension or under his own name, his distinctive organ and
piano sound and musical arrangements have all played a major part in Jamaica's musical history.

Jackie Mittoo (born 1948, Kingston, Jamaica) began playing musical instruments at a very
early age. Taught piano by his grandmother he was performing live by the age of 10 and
recording by the age of 15. Two Kingston bands that he played with the Rivals and the
Sheiks brought him to the attention of Studio One's founder Coxsone Dodd. Who at the
time was putting a group of musicians together to be his studio band. Impressed by his skills
on both the organ and the piano, Jackie was asked to join in what would become Jamaica's
foremost band The Skatalites. The fellow band members were Lloyd Brevett (bass),
Lloyd Knibbs (drums), Don Drummond (trombone), Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso
and Lester Sterling (Sax), Johnny Moore (trumpet), Jah Jerry (guitar) and Mr Mittoo (piano).
This line up ruled the Jamaican scene between 1964 - 1965 as well as inventing the Ska
sound, they also performed the backing duties for the other top labels of the time including
Duke Reid's Treasure Isle and Justin Yap's Top Deck label.

1965 saw The Skatalites disband and Jackie Mittoo move on to his next musical project
The Soul Brothers. Formed with fellow Skatalite Roland Alphonso, this band would back
all the hits coming out of Studio One for the next three years with Jackie Mittoo working as
band leader and musical arranger. Around this time Jackie also had his own single released,
a Ska underground classic called 'Got My Bugaloo'. Rare, as it also features Jackie in the
unusual role for him, as lead singer!!!!.

1966 saw the Ska sound evolve into Rocksteady, again with Jackie's band at the helm,
and his first hit single the Rocksteady cut 'Ram Jam'. The success of which would lead to
a solo career and album releases under his own name such as 'Now', 'Macka Fat',
'Evening Time', 'In London' and 'Keep on Dancing', to name but a few. In1967 the hits at
Studio One were still flowing when The Soul Brothers morphed into The Soul Venders
and began backing such luminaries as Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, The Heptones,
The Cables, The Wailers and many other of the labels solo artists. By 1968 Jamaican music
was ready for another change and Rocksteady rolled into a slower groove soon to be called
Reggae. Jackie Mittoo would be at the forefront with his latest band The Sound Dimension.
A line up that included Leroy Sibbles (bass), Roland Alphonso and Cedric Brooks (saxophone),
Eric Frater and Ernest Ranglin (guitar) and Bunny Williams (drums). Being the house band
at Studio One they backed all the leading names of the time, John Holt, Horace Andy and
Alton Ellis, all of Studio One's output carried his sound.

Jackie Mittoo emigrated in the late 60's to Canada, but travelled to Jamaica and London to
record with many of the big new names, who were trying to redress Studio One's supremacy
and needed his magic touch. Such Producers as Bunny Lee used Jackie Mittoo on many of
his sessions, Sugar Minott among others were always glad of his services.

We have captured some fine 1970's cuts that feature Jackies numerous
talents, showing his ability to embellish tracks with a feel that few could better, Musical
arranger, band leader all round studio ace. We hope you enjoy the set and I'm sure you'll
agree with us Jackie Mittoo does indeed Ride On.........

CD Track Listing

1. JAH JAH HARMONY
Our first track sees Jackie playing some wonderful organ lines over the Johnny Clarke
'Jah Jah We Prey' rhythm.
2. NATTY CONGO RIDES ON
Another Johnny Clarke cut 'Roots Natty Congo' gets taken in another direction by some fine
organ playing.
3. SOULFUL TIMES
Pat Kelly's timeless 'Give Love a Try' gets a little help from Jackie's key's...
4. JUMPING UP
Here Jackie Mittoo rolls over the 'Jump Up' rhythm (AKA 'In Cold Blood' ) and adds some
fine lines to an already classic piece...
5. FREEDOM SMILE
'Freedom Street' covered by many including Dereck Morgan, has on this rare cut the
Aggrovators Sly Dunbar playing some fine Steppers style drumming to kick Jackie's
organ sound along.
6. TAKING YOU SOMEWHERE
The classic 'I'll Take You There'/'Liquidator' rhythm gets a softer funkier feel with Jackie's
rolling organ sounds.
7. NANNY SKANK
The 'Nanny Goat' rhythm backs this Miittoo lead odyssey.
8. LOOK AT LIFE
Another Johnny Clarke cut 'Look at Life' gets a new lease of life on this organ lead cut.
9. HARD TIMES
Jackie Mittoo rides over the 'Hard Times' rhythm soloing out in fine style.
10. PRAY TO PLAY
 'Pray before You You Eat' cut by Mr Johnny Clarke sounds starker on this lost till now organ cut.
11. TOO BAD BULL
The classic Aggrovators rhythm known as 'Too Bad Bull'. This is a rare organ cut.
12. NO GET DUB OVER
The 'Triller' rhythm which was used for Johnny Clarke's 'Wonty Wonty No Getty Getty' backs this
Jackie Mittoo organ cut... nice.....
13. DONE UPON THE RHYTHM*
The 'Who Done It ' rhythm gets a Jackie Mittoo work out.
14. AIN'T TO PROUD TO PLAY*
The Ain't Too Proud To Beg' rhythm, cut by John Holt and Slim Smith among others gets a
Jackie Mittoo make over on this lost to now organ cut.
15. LOCKSOME*
Last but no lest the irrepresable 'Curly Locks' rhythm lets us ride out in style.

•CD Bonus Track

Vinyl Track Listing

Side 1
1. JAH JAH HARMONY
2. NATTY CONGO RIDES ON
3. SOULFUL TIMES
4. JUMPING UP
5. FREEDOM SMILE
6. TAKING YOU SOMEWHERE

Side 2
1. NANNY SKANK
2. LOOK AT LIFE
3. HARD TIMES
4. PRAY TO PLAY
5. TOO BAD BULL
6. NO GET DUB OVER


Musicians Include:
Jackie Mittoo, Organ, Keyboards and Piano
Sly Dunbar, Carlton 'Santa' Davis, Carlton Barrett: Drums
Robbie Shakespere, Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, Lloyd Parks: Bass
Earl 'Chinna' Smith: Lead Guitar
Tony Chin, Winston'Bo Beep': Rhythm Guitar
Ansel Collins: Piano
Bobby Ellis: Trumpet
Vin Gordon: Trombone
Tommy McCook: Tenor Saxophone
Lennox Brown: Alto Saxophone

Recorded At: Channel 1, Randy's Studio 17 & Dynamic Sounds
Produced By: Bunny Lee
Design by: Gary @ Voodoo London
Photography: Bunny Lee/Jah Floyd Archive
Manufactured Under Licence from: E.Lee
Made In The UK