The Cats (reggae band)

The Cats
Origin Mile End, London, England
Genres Ska
Years active 1967-1971
Labels BAF
Past members Tyrone Patterson
Richard Archer
John Ogetti Kpiaye
Michael Okoro

The Cats, previously known as The Hustlin' Kind were a ska ensemble from Mile End, London.[1][2] The group's lineup comprised Tyrone Patterson (keyboards), Richard Archer (bass), John Kpiaye (guitar), and Michael Okoro (drums).[1]

History

They were initially an instrumental band, playing ska and soul covers in London clubs, changing the band name to The Cats in Summer 1968.[1] The group recorded ten tracks at Maximum Sound studios in Old Kent Road in September 1968.[1]

Their 1968 single, "Swan Lake", backed by "Swing Low", hit no.48 in early 1969, making them the first British reggae band to have a top fifty hit in the UK.[2][3] According to Kpiaye "Swan Lake" was recorded during the Maximum Sound session, but roadie Mike Cole claimed that it was recorded in spare studio time after a Tex Withers and the Sidetrackers recording session, with Cole and members of the Sidetrackers playing on it.[1] The single was released on the group's own Baf label.[1] "Swan Lake" was later covered by Madness on their debut album One Step Beyond...; Subsequent releases by The Cats failed to chart, rendering them as one-hit wonders.

Singles Discography[4]

Record label Record number Year Title
BAF BAF1 1968 Swan Lake/Swing Low
BAF BAF2 1968 My Girl/The Hog
BAF BAF3 1968 The Hig/Blues For Justice
BAF BAF4 1968 William Tell/Love Walk Right In
BAF BAF5 1968 Falling In Love/Don't Mess With Cupid
Crystal CR 7009 1970 Sherman/What Can I Do
Phoenix NIX 139 1972 Knees Up Mother Brown/Rubbish
Groove GVE 1001 1976 Swan Lake (re-recording)/Swan Lake (Disco Version)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 de Koningh, Michael & Griffiths, Marc (2003) Tighten Up! The History of Reggae in the UK, Sanctuary, ISBN 1-86074-559-8, pp. 37-38
  2. 1 2 "John Kpiaye" at LintonKwesiJohnson.com
  3. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 22. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ↑ http://www.45cat.com/artist/the-cats


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