Caltone

Caltone – Listen To The Music – Pressure Sounds

Blondel Keith Calnek aka Ken Lack came into the music business in Jamaica in the early sixties, working as the road manager for the Skatalites band.

By the mid-sixties he had started the Caltone label and Jon Tom labels. He linked up with Rio Records in the UK in during so he made sure he had distribution for him music in the biggest reggae record market in the world.

Well over 50 tunes followed from a whole heap of artists including the Pioneers, The Heptones – who cut there first record for him ‘Gunman Coming To Town’

In the next four years up to 1969, he recorded groups like The Tartans, The Emotions, The Vibrators, The Kingstonians, The Clarendonians, and The Diplomats.

With many more great releases coming from people like Peter Austin, Milton Boothe, Anthony Ellis, Yvonne Harrison, Honey Boy, Alva Lewis and Roy Shirley

Plus talented musicians like Lyn Taitt, Tommy McCook, and Vin Gordon. He also gave a start in the business for producers like Phil Pratt and Bunny Lee.

Very much like the Rock Steady era, Caltone the label got over looked – until 2005, when Bunny Lee released ‘Caltone Special’ on CD. Followed by ‘Listen To The Music’ in 2012, which was released by Pressure Sounds, in connection with Phil Pratt.

Ken emigrated to America in the late sixties. And died on June 6^th 2001 in America. Like so many artists and producers, he never got the appreciation for his works until after his death. Yet his productiions will live on. His contribution was a great one.