The Uniques (Jamaican group)

The Uniques

Company type	Vocal ensemble
Industry	Music
Founded	1966
Headquarters	Jamaica
Products	Rocksteady and reggae music

The Uniques were a Jamaican vocal ensemble specializing in rocksteady and reggae genres, established in 1966 and continuing with different members until the late 1970s.

History

Initially, The Uniques formed as a harmony trio featuring Roy Shirley, Slim Smith, and Franklyn White (with Smith and White previously part of The Techniques). In 1966, they released multiple singles, among them the R&B-styled "Do Me Good" on Ken Lack's Caltone label. After disbanding, the group reassembled in late 1967 when Smith brought together a new lineup including Jimmy Riley and Lloyd Charmers. This incarnation's first release was "Watch This Sound," a rendition of Stephen Stills's "For What It's Worth," which gained popularity alongside other Bunny Lee-produced tracks like "My Conversation." Bunny Lee later transferred this rhythm to Rupie Edwards, who utilized it to produce the groundbreaking one-rhythm album, Yamaha Skank.

In 1978, Bunny Lee issued the album Showcase vol. 1. The Uniques name was briefly revived in 1977 by Riley and Cornell Campbell with the album Give Thanks (released in 1979), and once more in 1997 when Al Campbell joined Riley and Cornell for the album The Uniques.

Albums

• Absolutely The Uniques (1969) Trojan
• Showcase vol. 1 (1978) Third World/Jackpot
• Give Thanks (1979) Plant (recorded 1977)
• The Best of The Uniques (1994) Trojan
• Watch This Sound (1998) Pressure Sounds
• The Uniques (1999) Charm

Singles

• "The Journey" (1966), Rio (B-side to Tommy McCook's "Jerk Time"), Caltone
• "Do Me Good" (1966), Rio (B-side to Tommy McCook's "Out of Space"), Caltone
• "Dry the Water" (1967), Collins Downbeat
• "People Rock Steady" (1967), Island
• "Gypsy Woman" (1967), Island
• "Never Let Me Go" (1967), Island
• "Let Me Go Girl" (1967), Island
• "Speak No Evil" (1968), Island
• "Lesson of Love" (1968), Island
• "Build My World Around You" (1968), Island
• "Give Me Some More of Your Loving" (1968), Island
• "My Conversation" (1968), Island
• "The Beatitude" (1968), Island
• "Girl of My Dreams" (1968), Island
• "Girls Like Dirt" (1968), Blue Cat (B-side to Glen Adams' "She Is Leaving")
• "More Love" (1968), Trojan (B-side to Race Fans' "Bookie Man")
• "Little Boy Blue" (1968), Giant (credited to Pat Kelly & The Uniques)
• "Facts of Life" (1968), Island (credited to Roy Shirley & The Uniques)
• "Watch This Sound" (1968), Trojan (credited to Slim Smith & The Uniques)
• "My Woman's Love" (1969), Crab (B-side to The Melodians' "When There Is You")
• "Forever" (1969), Duke (B-side to Lloyd Tyrell's "Cooyah")
• "Secretly" (1969), Dr. Bird
• "Too Proud to Beg" (1969), Gas
• "Crimson & Clover" (1969), Nu-Beat
• "I'll Make You Love Me" (1969), Nu-Beat
• "A-Yuh" (1969), Trojan
• "The Beatitude"/"My Conversation" (1969), Trojan