The Carltons - Better Days / Lee Perry - Station Underground News

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Reissue Of The Rare & Strikingly BeautifulReggae Masterpiece…

THE CARLTONS

“BETTER DAYS”

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LEE PERRY “STATION UNDERGROUND NEWS”

7" VINYL 45 RPM
RELEASE APRIL 3, 2026 

 Catalogue number: HSRSS-0039

RELEASE INFORMATION: 

Format: black 7" vinyl - 45 RPM – Stereo

Label: Harlem Shuffle Records

Sleeve: Black paper cover with round cut-outs on both sides

This is the reissue of the rare 1973 original single with its original tracks as produced by Lee Perry. This original “Better Days” performed by The Carltons aka Carlton And The Shoes and produced was released on the Jamaican label Underground in 1973 as a B side to the track “Station Underground News” by Lee Perry (under the strange name “King Koba”). It was also released the same year in the U.K. on the Bread label, a Trojan’s sublabel.

“Better Days” was the only song ever recorded under the name The Carltons. Regrettably, it was also the only Carlton And The Shoes track ever produced by Lee Perry…

The very much in demand original singles are now quite rare and expensive. The single was reissued only once in 2014 - but with The Upsetters’ track “Tight Spot” on the B side - and this reissue is also quite rare and expensive by now.

Our release is therefore the first reissue of the original single complete with its original tracks - although we put the gorgeous “Better Days” on the A side where it should be.

Note: several other versions have been recorded over the years including a 12” version in 1978 under the name Carlton And The Shoes for the D.E.B Music label and another one under the name Carlton Manning on the Jamaican label Quality sometimes in the 1980s. It was also covered by The Heptones in 1978. These later versions are in fact completely different from the superior original track produced by Lee Perry.

The strikingly beautiful “Better Days” original is in our opinion Carlton & the Shoes best track and is without doubt an early Reggae masterpiece... A must!

ABOUT THE CARLTONS AKA CARLTON AND THE SHOES

The Carltons, normally known as Carlton and the Shoes were a Jamaican vocal group who had their greatest success in the late 1960s, as Rocksteady gradually became Reggae… And it is that mix of gorgeous harmonies allied to the nascent Reggae sounds that defines their outstanding sound. They had several Studio One recorded hits in Jamaica, most notably "Love me Forever" in 1968.

Carlton and the Shoes was led by Carlton Manning, and the line-up included his younger brothers Donald and Lynford (both members of The Abyssinians), and Alexander Henry.

Manning originally named the group Carlton and his Shades. On their debut release for Sonia Pottinger, there was a printer's mistake that led to the "Shoes" and the strange name stuck! After their debut release made little impact, they moved on to work with Clement "Coxsone" Dodd at Studio One, where they recorded several singles and enjoyed a massive rocksteady hit with "Love Me Forever".

When Donald and Lynford left to form The Abyssinians, Carlton remained at Studio One, continuing to make records, and working as a session guitarist. He continued to record through the 1970s and early 1980s, though never repeated his early success...

 A SIDE: 

Title: Better Days
Artist: The Carltons
Genre: Early Reggae
Produced by: Lee Perry
Year of original release: 1971

Description:

“Better Days” is a strikingly beautiful anthem built around the Carltons’ breathtaking harmonies and a patient, rolling, minimalist Reggae rhythm made of syncopated drums and a gentle horn section in background, hence serving the strong vocal delivery even further. Without forgetting the equally beautiful lyrics delivering a powerful message of resilience, optimism and faith. Beautiful harmonies, minimalist rhythm and uplifting lyrics all together make “Better Days” one of the Shoes most enduring performances and a Reggae masterpiece that invites to both reflection and musical delight...

"God made man and he made us all

An equal share of blessing.

Some men want to take it all

And keep the rest of the world

In bondage and oppression."

 B SIDE:

Title: Station Underground News
Artist: Lee Perry
Genre: Funky Reggae
Produced by: Lee Perry
Year of original release: 1973

Description:
“Station Underground News” was in fact the A track on the original 1973 single with Lee Perry credited as “King Koba”. It is a subterranean journey through Perry’s imagination. Built from a skeletal rhythm track, the piece unfolds as a series of musical interventions: echoing vocals, fractured percussion, Funky manipulations and more.

This little know tracks capture perfectly Perry’s trademark blend of Jamaican musical textures, off kilter rhythms, experimentations and unbridled whimsy and creativity…

Enjoy!