With 24 tracks new to CD it is a collection of Dandy’s early recordings. Before joining the Trojan Records stable, Robert Thompson aka Dandy was a new singer-songwriter who was recording for Carnival Records, a subsidiary of Crossbow Records, based in London. It was decided that Dandy would be paired-up with another vocalist and Keith Foster (Tito Simon) took the role of Sugar. This happened after Dandy had cut various singles during the second-half of 1964 into 1965, Sugar and Dandy featured on many popular singles and then ‘The Ska’s The Limit’ album was released. The Carnival Label ceased to exist after summer ’65 and Dandy then recorded for Melodisc and R&B before moving to Trojan Records in 1968. This collection features Dandy’s formative years as a performer and one now takes-a-look at a selection of the tracks.
1. WHAT IS LIFE! – Sugar & Dandy. This track opens the collection and is penned by Robert Thompson. This comes as a full-on Bluebeat sound and has a fast rhythm track with a combined vocal and some fine saxophone playing. A catchy number and good way to open the collection. 3. ONE MAN WENT TO MOW – Sugar & Dandy. Yes, this is a version of the well-known song from many years back. This again is given a Bluebeat rhythm and is good with the song lending itself to this style, the lyrics are clear and full on. Again the listener hears some fine sax playing and overall it makes for a catchy, sing-along recording. 6. OH DEAR – Sugar & Dandy. This is up-tempo and comes with an instrumental intro before we hear ‘Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be’, which the listener may have heard before in a different styles over the years. This is mid-tempo and the song lends itself well to the Bluebeat treatment. 8. LET’S SKA. This sounds as though there is a party going on before the vocalists come in with pleasing vocals. The rhythm track comes fast with short spells of percussion, catchy number. 10. TRA-LA-LA-LA-LA – Sugar and Dandy. This was the B side to ‘Oh Dear’ as a single and here we have a mid-tempo Bluebeat number on which the combined vocals are clear. Some fine percussion comes in mid-way through, another catchy number this one. 12. ONLY HEAVEN KNOWS – Sugar and Dandy. This was on 7″ as the B side to ‘Let’s Ska’ and was originally released on the Carnival label before its re-release on the Page One label. This is more of a Calypso sound than previous tracks and has high quality combined vocals. This is mid-tempo and has some fine trumpet blowing at times throughout. Catchy track this one and can be danced along to. 14. I WANT TO BE YOUR LOVER – Sugar and Dandy. This is not Bluebeat but a fast-moving Northern Soul styled number with a punchy rhythm track. Percussion comes in at times and this is very danceable. 17. GIRL COME SEE – Sugar and Dandy. This has a faster Bluebeat rhythm and the song is written by Robert Thompson (Dandy) as most are and we hear fine percussion work at times throughout. The combined vocals are clear and it adds up to one of the stand-out tracks. 18. WITHOUT LOVE – The Rub A Dubs. Not sure who these artists are but they sound good on this fast slice of toe-tapping Bluebeat. The vocals are combined and around the middle we have a high-quality instrumental section. 20. TO LOVE YOU – Dandy. On this Dandy moves away from the Bluebeat style as this is a slow Soul number on which he is joined by a female vocalist at times. The rhythm track contains some fine percussion and overall a fine track that shows off Dandy’s vocal talents. 24. SO LONG BABY – Dandy & Del. Another track which comes in a Soul style and Dandy is joined by Del who appears to be female. Again the percussion work is classic and this is a catchy sound. 26. NOW I HAVE YOU – Dandy & Barbara. More of the same Soul style and again Dandy is joined by a female artist, not sure who it is. A piano comes in towards the end in a Honky-Tonk style, the track is pleasant enough. 28. HEY BOY! HEY GIRL – Dandy & Del. We return to the Bluebeat sound on this track that comes with pleasing combined vocals, although both artists sing on their own at times. Percussion is pleasant throughout.
IN CONCLUSION
This collection includes Dandy’s formative years as a performer and features some bestsellers along with a selection of obscurities that have remained unavailable for six decades. It is a collection that is well worth thinking about, especially if you are a Dandy fan and like the Jamaican styles of Bluebeat/Ska. It comes with a price tag of £11.49p and is well worth it.