Labels BAF Genre Ska | Years active 1967-1971 Active until 1971 | |
Past members Tyrone PattersonRichard ArcherJohn Ogetti KpiayeMichael Okoro Members John Kpiaye, Richard Archer, Tyrone Patterson, Michael Okoro | ||
The Cats, previously known as The Hustlin' Kind were a ska ensemble from Mile End, London. The group's lineup comprised Tyrone Patterson (keyboards), Richard Archer (bass), John Kpiaye (guitar), and Michael Okoro (drums).
Contents
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. The group recorded ten tracks at Maximum Sound studios in Old Kent Road in September 1968.
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. 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. The single was released on the group's own Baf label. "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.
Songs
Blues For Justice
Swan Lake2003
The Hog