1968
GIRLS * THE HI-TONES * NU BEAT 017 * UK
The Rock Steady beat can often have a dark and moody atmosphere about it, Girls, by the Hi-Tones is no exception added to which the lyrics are critique and somewhat threatening towards a girl or girls in general the exact opposite of the Moments & Whatnauts song of the same name.
Credited to the Termites on the label but identified by Roger Dalke as by the Hi-Tones in Ska to Reggae discography Vol. 9 (1987) and production is attributed to Eric Barnnet, though this might also not be the case.
It would be more logical to accept that Girls was by the Termites as they are known for some excellent Rock Steady cuts whereas The Hi-Tones are not and were recording in the pre Ska period around 1962/3; they cut several sides for Coxsone Dodd, one of which was released in the UK on Island, another early recording of theirs was also released in the UK on the Wasp imprint.