Rico's Combo were a studio band, that recorded on the Planetone label in the early 1960s. History Rico's Combo recorded for the Planetone record label that was founded by Sonny Roberts in 1961 who would also release recordings by Mike Elliott, George Bailey, Jackie Foster, and Zephies Group.DJ Mag, 25 July 2023 - NEWS, Sonny Roberts, Jamaican producer who opened Britain’s first Black-owned recording studio, to be honoured with blue plaque The group, which was led by the Jamaican trombonist Rico Rodriguez, recorded some ska records for the label in the early 1960s.Marmoset - Rico's Combo When Rodrigues was not present on the recordings, the group would go by the name of The Planets.Tighten Up!: The History of Reggae in the UK, Michael De Koningh, Marc Griffiths · 2003 - - Page 19
They were also the house band for the Planetone label. Artists such as Dandy Livingstone, Tito Simon aka Sugar & Dandy and the Marvels recorded at the Planetone studio. This made Rico Rodriguez happy as he was given the opportunity to play Ska again.Bass Culture When Reggae Was King, By Lloyd Bradley · 2001 - - (page unknown)
It appears that the first release which was credited to Rico's Combo as a stand-alone band was "London Here I Come" bw "Midnight in Eihiopia".45Cat - Rico's Combo - London Here I ComeTighten Up!: The History of Reggae in the UK, Michael De Koningh, Marc Griffiths · 2003 - Page 20
Two tracks from this group, "London Here I Come" and "Hitch and Scramble", appeared on the Rodriguez's Trombone Man Anthology 1961-1971 CD. Later years Mike Elliott would join The Foundations around 1967.Disc and Music Echo, 4 November 1967 - Page 11 Eight faces that laid the FOUNDATIONS of a hit! In 1972, he had his own single released on the Ackee Record label.Tighten Up!: The History of Reggae in the UK, By Michael De Koningh, Marc Griffiths · 2003 - - Page 20 The record was "Milk and Honey", credited to Mike Elliot, backed with "Burst a Shirt" which is credited to Mike Elliot with Harvey & Errol.45 Cat Artist: Mike Elliot Milk And HoneyReggae Label Art Archives - Ackee ACK 151 # Mike Elliott – Milk & Honey / Mike Elliott & Errol – Bust A Shirt (Ackee) 1972 UK 7”
Rodriguez would release his Man from Wareika album in the mid 1970s and play on the "Ghost Town" single by The Specials.Ancient to Future - THE MAN FROM WAREIKA HILLS: RICO RODRIGUEZ 1934 -2015
Rodriguez died on 4 September 2015 at age 80.The Guardian, Mon 7 Sep 2015 - Obituary, Rico Rodriguez obituary - David Katz Members Rico Rodriguez - (Trombone) Lovett Brown - (Saxophone) Mike Elliott - (Saxophone) Jackie Edwards - (Piano) Tighten Up!: The History of Reggae in the UK, Michael De Koningh, Marc Griffiths · 2003 - - Page 19
Discography "London Here I Come" / "Midnight In Ethiopia" - Planetone RC 1 "Planet Rock" / "You Win" - Plantone RC 4 "Hitch and Scramble" / "Gee's Boogie" - Planetone RC 6 "Mighty As a Rose" / "Tell All Those Girls" (The Marvelles) - Planetone PT 35
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