Ain't That Loving You

Alton Ellis’s  version of „Ain’t that Loving You“ is one of the early hours staples in the dancehall before the selector turns up the heat and the beats gradually become raw and rugged.

Written by Isaacs Hayes and David Porter and originally sung by Johnnie Taylor in 1967,  Duke Reid, the operator of  Treasure Isle produced the cover version backed by Tommy McCook and The Supersonics.  

Arthur "Duke" Reid and his wife Lucille "The Dutchess" operated a liquor store called Treasure Isle in West Kingston where the family business eventually morphed into one of the most influential record labels in Jamaica.

Legendary singer Dennis Brown covered Ellis’s version in 1978 for Joe Gibbs and scored a huge success with a very beautiful rendition of the song. Definately, having both in your collection.

On the B side the very popular toaster or DJ, U-Roy or Daddy U-Roy as he is affectionately called, make a jolly toast and quickens the tune with his perfect timing. As the appetite for the sweet crooning of the Rock Steady singers began to wane Treasure Isle almost lost it’s footing until the man U-Roy stepped in and joined the Treasure Isle posse churning out hit after hit toasting on various versions.

Tracklist

A.   Alton Ellis with Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Ain't That Loving You
B.   Alton Ellis, U-Roy with Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Ain't That Loving You