The Cats (reggae band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Music recordings |
The Cats, initially known as The Hustlin' Kind, were a ska group originating from Mile End, London. The band featured Tyrone Patterson on keyboards, Richard Archer handling bass, John Kpiaye playing guitar, and Michael Okoro on drums.
History
Starting out as an instrumental ensemble performing ska and soul cover tunes at London venues, they took on the name The Cats during the summer of 1968. In September 1968, they laid down ten tracks at Maximum Sound studios located on Old Kent Road.
Their 1968 release, the single "Swan Lake" with the B-side "Swing Low", climbed to number 48 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1969. This achievement marked them as the first British reggae group to secure a top fifty position in the UK charts. The single was issued through their own Baf label. Years later, "Swan Lake" was interpreted by Madness on their first album One Step Beyond.... Despite further releases, none managed to enter the charts, designating them as one-hit wonders.
Singles
| Label | Catalog Number | Release Year | Track Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAF | BAF1 | 1968 | "Swan Lake" / "Swing Low" |
| BAF | BAF2 | 1968 | "My Girl" / "The Hog" |
| BAF | BAF3 | 1968 | "The Hog" / "Blues for Justice" |
| BAF | BAF4 | 1968 | "William Tell" / "Love Walk Right In" |
| BAF | BAF5 | 1968 | "Falling in Love" / "Don't Mess with Cupid" |
| Crystal | CR 7009 | 1970 | "Sherman" / "What Can I Do" |
| Groove | GVE 1001 | 1976 | "Swan Lake" (re-recorded) / "Swan Lake" (Disco Version) |