The Pioneers - Some Having A Ball / Whip Them - Limited Edition - HSRSS-0021

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PRESALE ONLY - OFFICIAL RELEASE: JUNE 23, 2023

First reissue of the very rare double-sided killer single by

THE PIONEERS

“SOME HAVING A BALL” /

“WHIP THEM”

7" VINYL 45 RPM - LIMITED EDITION

ABOUT THIS RELEASE:

This is the first re-release on 7inch vinyl single of the super rare killer single by The Pioneers released in 1968 on Amalgamated Records in Jamaica and on Doctor Bird in the U.K. that same year. 

Attention: This is a special limited edition - strictly limited to 500 copies - one release only.

THE PIONEERS

The Pioneers were formed in 1962 by two brothers Derrick and Sidney Crooks and their friend Winston Hewitt later replaced by former Heptone Glen Adams.

The Pioneers' early singles were not successful, and the group broke up in 1967 Sydney started working at Joe Gibbs shop and then in the studio where he met a talented new young singer: Jackie Robinson.  The new Pioneers were reborn as a duo. They recorded several successful singles such as "Longshot" "Jackpot", "Catch the Beat" with Gibbs before joining producer Leslie Kong where they recorded Samfie Man which topped the Jamaican charts. They then recruited Geaorge Agard and became a trio again.

 They scored in the charts again with "Long Shot (Kick De Bucket)" a sequel to “Long Shot”, the tragic story of a race horse that never won and died racing!  “Kick De Bucket” became an instant hit both in Jamaican and in the U.K.  particularly among skinheads in 1969.  More hits followed and the band moved to the UK in 1970. Over time, their sound changed and became more sophisticated and pop and they eventually recorded soul albums with Eddy Grant as a producer in 1976. It was not successful and the band split before reforming. They have been performing sporadically since then. 

 A SIDE:

Title: "SOME HAVING A BALL" Artist: THE PIONEERS - Limited Edition 500 copies

Year: 1968

Genre: Rocksteady/early Reggae

Produced by Joe Gibbs

This heavy, unrelenting, esoteric track features a unique syncopated, exotic rhythm accompanied by spirited lead and eerie backup vocals.  It is not quite Rocksteady and it is not quite Reggae, but it sure is a top track by one of its greatest performers and it rocks… Another version of the song “Intensified Girls” by Anderson All Stars was featured on our Hot Sauce volume 1 LP. Super rare and super good.

B SIDE:

Title: "WHIP THEM" - Artist: THE PIONEERS - Limited Edition 500 copies

Year: 1968

Genre: Rocksteady

Produced by Joe Gibbs

This fierce Rocksteady track was the B side for “Some Havin’ A Ball” on the Jamaican record label Amalgamated while it was on the A side on the Doctor Bird label in the U.K.  It was certainly more mainstream musically, but still is another killer track by the Pioneers and a highly collectable track in its own right.