Derrick Morgan - Moon Hop [2CD Expanded Edition] (2019)

Among the first major recording stars to emerge in Jamaica, Derrick Seymour Morgan first made his mark in the studio in the late 1950s, becoming the island’s premier performer soon after. By 1969 he had secured an unprecedented number of ska, rock steady and early reggae hits, with his success prompting an approach from London-based Afro- Caribbean music-company, Pama Records.

The relationship that ensued spawned dozens of popular 45s, many of which were produced by Morgan in the UK, notably the rousing ‘Moon Hop’, written in celebration of the Apollo 11 moon landing in July ’69. After becoming a firm favourite on the London club scene, the single cracked the British pop charts early the following year, with Pama releasing the suitably titled “Moon Hop” LP soon after.

This immensely popular album makes its CD debut on disc 1 of this set, with the LP’s original track-listing bolstered by the remainder of the singer’s UK- produced output for Pama from 1969 to 1970. The second disc on this 2CD collection comprises Morgan’s other Pama long-player from the period, “In London”, the contents of which are supplemented by the remainder of his Jamaican-produced recordings from the late Sixties.