TRACKLIST
A SIDE:
"SHE CAUGHT THE TRAIN" : RAY MARTELL
B SIDE:
"CORA" : RAY MARTELL
DESCRIPTION
First reissue of this super rare early Reggae classic!
CHECK THE TRAILER HERE: https://youtu.be/HEC4-5pZPGg
This is the first re-release on 7inch vinyl single of the early Reggae classic “She Caught The Train” by Ray Martell released in 1970 on the Trojan sublabel Joe in the U.K. and later covered by UB 40 in 1983. This original song, a huge hit, has featured on sevearl compilations but has never been repressed as a single, until now…
It was initially released with the track “Tea House From Emperor Roscoe” by Dice The boss on the B side (which we will also release separately on the 22nd of March 2024). On this release, we chose to showcase a super rare Ray Martell song, the gorgeous “Cora” initially released on Attack in 1970.
About Joe Mansano:
“She Caught The Train” was credited to Joe Mansano, real name Joel Mansano who also produced the song. Joel was a Trinidadian who moved to London in 1963. He was a record shop seller, song writer and producer and became heavily involved in the early reggae era producing and writing tracks for several Jamaican artists, enough for Trojan to dedicate a label to him: the “Joe” label aimed at the emerging Skinheads market. He also owned a shop the Joe's Record Centre in Brixton and recorded two handfuls of singles under the name Joe The boss…
About Ray Martell:
“Cora” is credited to Ray Martell himself and was produced by Philligree, an alias for Graham Goodall and Phil Chen. The Philligree duo produced about 20 very interesting singles on a variety of labels with artist such as Desmond Dekker, Millie, Pat Sandy and Ray Martell among others between 1969 and 1970. Although “She Caught The Train” is indeed a famous track, little is known about Ray Martell aka Martel Robinson. Ray was born in St Catherine parish in Jamaica in September 1943. He started to sing at school and church and later on moved to U.K. where he kept on singing in clubs in Coventry and Birmingham … He eventually moved to London where he recorded 4 great tracks in 1970 “She Caught The Train” on Joe, “Cora” and “Loving Lover” on Attack, and “Lover” on Trojan, the last three being written by himself. In 1973 he started his own label “Ray” featuring his own productions but these were unfortunately not as interesting as his previous releases…
A SIDE:
Title: "SHE CAUGHT THE TRAIN" Artist: RAY MARTELL - Limited Edition 500 copies
Year: 1970
Genre: Early Reggae
Produced by Joe Mansano
This is the first reissue on 7inch vinyl single of the early Reggae classic “She Caught The Train (aka I am Going Home)” by Ray Martell released in 1970 on the Trojan sublabel Joe in the U.K. and later covered by UB 40 in 1983.
Recorded withe Joe’s All Stars as a backing band, this simple but strangely poignant song has a long-lasting appeal. It is sad, beautiful and still hugely popular 50 years after its release...
B SIDE:
Title: "CORA" - Artist: RAY MARTELL - Year: 1970
Genre: Early Reggae
Produced by Philligree, an alias for Graham Goodall and Phil Chen
We are delighted to showcase this rare and cracking gem of a song written by Ray Martell himself, a joyful “skaish” B side for the beautiful but mournful main title... The original single is very rare and is practically impossible to find one in good conditions. Enjoy!