Band Name: The Ethiopians
Music Album: Train To Skaville 1966-1969
Album Release Date: November 2024
Music Genre: Reggae Ska Rocksteady
Record Label: Earmark
Album Release Country: Italy
Music Record Type: 28 Tracks Vinyl LP
The Ethiopians are a ska, rocksteady, and reggae vocal group, founded by Leonard Dillon, Stephen Taylor (15) and Aston Morris. The group started out recording for Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd in 1966. Dillon had previously released some mento songs under the name Jack Sparrow (2). Around late 1966, Morris left the Ethiopians. Having left Dodd, the Ethiopians started recording at Dynamic Studios for the WIRL label, releasing the ska classic song "Train to Skaville", which was their first success. In 1968 they recorded the song "Everything Crash", their first big hit. The song criticised the political situation in Jamaica at the time, such as water rationing and power cuts that led to unrest; such as an incident in which 31 people were shot by police. In September 1975, Taylor was killed by a van while he was crossing a road, but Dillon continued to tour as The Ethiopian.
| A1 | Free Man | 2:37 |
| A2 | Owe Me No Pay Me | 2:29 |
| A3 | Train To Skaville | 2:50 |
| A4 | I Need You | 2:27 |
| A5 | The Wip | 2:59 |
| A6 | Cool It Amigo | 2:34 |
| A7 | Stay Loose Mama | 2:41 |
| B1 | The World Goes Ska | 2:45 |
| B2 | Come On Now | 3:05 |
| B3 | Give Me Your Love | 2:09 |
| B4 | You Got The Dough | 3:15 |
| B5 | Engine 54 | 2:37 |
| B6 | Train To Glory | 2:54 |
| B7 | Fire A Muss Muss Tail | 2:18 |
| C1 | Reggae Hit The Town | 2:25 |
| C2 | I'm Not A King | 2:05 |
| C3 | Not Me | 2:30 |
| C4 | Everything Crash | 2:31 |
| C5 | Hong Kong Flu | 2:16 |
| C6 | Feel The Spirit | 2:24 |
| C7 | What A Fire | 2:38 |
| C8 | Gun Man (Aka You) | 2:02 |
| D1 | Everyday Talking (Aka Big Spush Splash) | 3:20 |
| D2 | Woman Capture Man | 2:22 |
| D3 | One (Heart, One Love) | 3:36 |
| D4 | Well Red | 2:45 |
| D5 | My Testimony | 2:23 |
| D6 | Buss Your Mouth (Aka Contention) | 2:38 |
Dull Gatefold sleeve and Earmark PVC sleeve with sticker on front.
"Formed in early 1966 by Leonard 'Sparrow' Dillon, the Ethiopians were of the first groups to openly draw a connection between themselves and Rastafarianism, paving the way for the many 'Roots' reggae artists to come. This collection of early hits (1966-1969) features classics like 'Owe Me No Pay Me' (from their first recording session with Coxsone Dodd at his legendary Studio One studio), 'Train To Skaville' (recorded at Duke Reid's famed Treasure Isle studio), 'The Whip' (recorded at Sonia Pottinger's Gay Feet) and much more. 180 gram virgin vinyl."
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