The Merrymen is without a doubt one of the most loved bands out of Barbados. Early in their career Robin Hunte, Emile Straker and Chris Gibbs who make up the Merrymen decided to set up their own label and studio on the island. The label became the Merry Disc and the studio was called REC using the initials of the three members; Robin, Emile and Chris. Along with studios at Caribbean Broadcast Corperation, usually credited as CBC, the REC studio was the most used in Barbados at the time. All the Merry Disc records were pressed up by West Indies Records Limited in Barbados. In 1967 a distribution deal was made with the Canada-based label Caravan. Prior to that the Merrymen releases were distributed by RCA Victor and Capitol Records. As equipment over the years became a lot cheaper and vinyl sales started to crumble the REC studio and the Merry Disc label closed. The Merrymen remain active as a band to this day.
The discography contains Merry Disc releases as well as Caravan Records releases on 45. The system used for numbering the Merry Disc discography appears a little confusing; The first couple of releases didn’t have a catalogue number and several 45’s in the discography were given the same number.
If you have anything to add or any corrections then please get in touch. A big thanks to Jan Hofman (The Netherlands) for his work with additions by Alfred Benjamin (Barbados / Brooklyn).
Merry Disc, LP’s:
MM-003 Merrymen – In The Land of Sea & Sun (also Caravan, Island series)
MM-004 Merrymen – Fun In The Sun
MM-005 Merrymen – Just For You
MM-006 Merrymen – You Sweeten Me
MM-007 Merrymen – From Dusk ’till Dawn
MM-008 West Star Steel Band – Steel Band Memories
MM-009 Lord Radio and the Bimshire Boys – Rhymes in Rhythm
MM-010 Merrymen – Sing and Swing
MM-011 Merrymen – Merry Christmas
MM-012 Merrymen – Beautiful Barbados
MM-013 Richard Massiah’s Steel Orchestra – Calypso Vacation
MM-014 Merrymen – Colour It Calypso
MMS-1016 Merrymen – Standing Room Only Merry Disc
MMS-017 Oscar Harris & The Twinkle Stars
MM-018 The Troubadours of Barbados – Find A Way (also Island Series REC-1003)
MMS-1025 Merrymen – Sun Living
MMS-1026 Merrymen – Don’t stop the carnival
MMS-1027 Outreach – Outreach
MMS-1028 Mardi Gras – Mardi Gras
MMS-1029 Merrymen – Merry Moods
MMS-1031 The Islanders – Caribbean Memories (Island Series only release?)
REC MMS-1032 Tyrone & The Clouds – Steelband & Calypso
MMS-1033 Merrymen – Barbados Memories
MMS-1034 Merrymen – Caribbean Pepperpot
REC MMS-1035 Tyrone & The Clouds – Steelband & Island Songs (also Fiesta FLPS 1876)
MMS-1036 Merrymen – Sugar Jam
MMS-1037 Merrymen – Jolly Roger Jump-Up
MMS-1038 Merrymen – Come To My Island
MM-1039 Merrymen – The Merrymen Live
MM-1040 Merrymen – Christmas Party
MM-1041 Merrymen – No Big Ting
MMS-1042 Merrymen – Tropical Wave
MMS-1043 Merrymen – Party Animal
MMS-1044 Merrymen – Island Treasure (tape-only release?)
MMS-1047 Merrymen – Sweet Fuh Days (label: Rainbow WIRL)
Merry Disc REC-1001 The Blue Rhythm Combo – Magumba
Merry Disc REC-1002 El Verno Del Congo – El Verno Del Congo
Merry Disc REC-1004 Sun Islanders – Barbados Steel Drums
Merry Disc REC-1038 Various Artists – Sweetest Woman
MMS- Merrymen – Bajan Bram (1987)
MMS- Merrymen – Crop Over (Label Rainbow WIRL 1988)
Merry Disc 45’s, “M” series:
M 02 Merrymen – Medley no 3 // Caribbean Lovesong
M 04 Merrymen – Archie // Girl Next Door
M 05 Merrymen – For Lovin’ Me // Yesterday
M 06 Merrymen – The Rebels // I Remember
M13 Merrymen – Do Re Me // Steel Donkey
M15 Merrymen – Calypso Medley No 4 // My Pussin
M16 Merrymen – Wings Of A Dove // Too deep to blue
M17 Merrymen – You Sweeten Me // It’s All Over
M18 Merrymen – The Fugitive // Something Has Gone Wrong
M19 Merrymen – Ring Ting Ting // Caribbean Boy
M19 Merrymen – Conrad // God Bless BIM
M20 Merrymen – Bermuda Woman // Guantanamera
M22 Merrymen – Sounds With Pressure EP: Ska Medley / Bam Bam //67 Calypso / Ribbon Of Darkness
M23 Merrymen – Love Sweet Love // I’m In Trouble
M24 Merrymen – Run Buddy Run // Nut Seller
M25 Merrymen – Don’t Try To Tie Me Down // Soul Calypso
M26 Merrymen – Christmas Feeling // Go Tell It On The Mountains
M26 Merrymen – Fire Fire // Ma Mas Mas (also WIRL WL 182)
M27 Merrymen – Cuando Sali de Cuba // Bang Bang Lulu
M28 Merrymen – Calalou vs Coucou // Take Your Hand Away
M31 Merrymen – Goodbye // Israelites
M32 Merrymen – I Want To Love You // Coffee Tea And You
M33 Merrymen – Trinidad Kaisomen // El Condor Pasa
M34 Merrymen – Raycan // Me And Bobby McGee
M35 Merrymen – Play Mas // P.P. 99
M35 Oscar Harris and the Twinkle Stars – Soldiers Prayer // Make This Night A Special One
M36 Oscar Harris and the Twinkle Stars – I Didn’t Want To Listen // Try A Little Love
M37 Merrymen – Sweet City Woman // Peace And Love
M39 The Troubadours of Barbados – Woman In Jail // Faith
M40 Merrymen – Barnabas // Bum Bum
M41 The Blue Rhythm Combo – Shaft // Jesus
M42 Young Cassius & The Generation Bridge – Snowcone // Magga Doc
M43 The Jesters – Chico Chico // Never Ask A Stranger
M44 The Seranaders – Never Stop Loving Me // I Must Be Dreaming
M45 Billy Jones and the Twinkle Stars – We Want Peace // Jerusalem
M45 Merrymen – In The Caribbean // Garrot Bounce
M46 The Blue Rhythm Combo – Sam’s Son // Don’t Look Back
M47 The Tropical Serenaders – Mr Framer // Begoine
M48 Young Cassius & The Generation Bridge – The Girl Say I Lie // Princess
M49 Young Cassius – Dragon Spouge // ??
M51 Tony Grazette & The Blue Rhythm Combo – Knock On Wood // Take The Funky Feeling (also as Caravan REC 4547)
M52 Clarence Thompson & The Blue Rhythm Combo – Never Let A Kiss Fool You // Eternal Love
M53 Merrymen – Mary Lou // Gary Sobers (REC 4503 acc. to run out)
M54 Tony Grazette & The Blue Rhythm Combo – Oh Lonesome Me // Sister Jeanie
M55 The Brothers – Big Bird // Will Of The West
Merry Disc LP’s, “REC” series:
REC-1006 St. Michael’s Cathedral Choir – Christmas At St. Michael’s
Merry Disc 45’s, “REC” series:
REC 4503 Merrymen – You Got Me // Mary Lou
REC 4522 The Checkmates – You Are Always On My Mind // Cream Puff
REC 4526 The Troubadours – Gimme Some More // No Ball At All
REC 4527 Ronald (Kitten) Watson – You Think It Easy // Let’s Get Together
REC 4528 Russel and The Checkmates – Love Me Or Leave Me // Groove Me
REC 4529 Lawrence Baptiste – I Can’t Take It Anymore // Please Com Back To Me
REC 4530 Serenaders – If I Can See You Just One Time // Twinkle In Your Eyes
REC 4531 Brothers – Thoughts // Sadi Love
REC 4559 The Barbados Spouge Ensemble – Kala Hamsa // Where’s My Gas
REC 4551 The Serenades acc. Atlantics – Twinkle In Your Eye // Just One More Time
REC 4562 Gabby Scott & Relevations – Mr Boolah // Momma’s Prayer
REC 4564 Jesters – My Boy Lollie Pop // Sad Movie
REC 4566 Smokey Burke The Organisation – Tell Her I’m Sorry // Help Me Love
REC 4570 The Checkmates – Always Thinking Of You // Long Lived Love
REC 4572 Merrymen – Drink A Rum // Christmas Party (Island Series)
REC 4574 The Revelations – Country Girl // Set Me Free
REC 4575 DaCosta Allamby & the Eki Becki Orchestra – Gallon Of Rum // Endorse The Cou Cou (also on Is. Series)
REC 4575 Merrymen – How I Love Her … Allouette // Good Good Mornin’
REC 4576 L. Baptiste “Cowboy” – The Kind Of Woman // From Loving You
REC 4576 Cassius Clay – Jamaican Lady // Bajan Rasta
REC 4578 Sir Don – Dear Don // Libel
REC 4579 Checkmates – I Can’t Believe In You // Pauper
REC 4580 Sir Don – Women’s Lib // Tom Say
REC 4581 Sir Don – Politics // Tribute To Grannie
REC 4582 Merrymen Flag – Woman // La Paloma Blanca
REC 4584 Gary Walters And The Revelations – I Ain’t Turning Back // When A Boy Falls In Love
REC 4585 Mighty Gabby – Burn Mr Hardy // Bandit Fever
REC 4590 The Merriboys – I Need You // Wonderful Feeling
REC 4591 Harmony – All By Myself // Mozart in Harmony (also on Island Series)
REC 4591 Harmony – All By Myself // Mozart in Harmony
Merry Disc 45’s, “4 Digit” series:
4521 The Troubadours Of Barbados – Are You Shure // Talk
4523 Alfred Pragnell – Telephone Conservation // How Mazie Ross Got Saved
4524 Merrymen – Price Of Gas Gone Up // Baxter’s Road
4525 The Blue Rhythm Combo – Black Water Gold // Sweet Spouge Music
4563 The Blue Rhythm Combo – Miliki // Bajan Love Song (also released on Caravan??)
4565 Happening of Bermuda – City Country City // I Believe In Music
REC 4566 Smokey Burke The Organisation – Tell Her I’m Sorry // Help Me Love
4567 The Troubadours International – Spouge Inspiration // Love Theme (also on Caravan label)
4568 Alfred Pragnell- Tea For Two // Concl. Tea for two & Glendairy
4569 The Blue Rhythm Combo – Get Down // Rhythm Man
MM4571 Merrymen – Devil Woman // Sweet Bon Bon (also released as Caravan CX220)
4577 Merrymen – Sugar Bum Bum // Time Marches On
4578 Merrymen – Bionic Man // I Goin’ Soca You
4579 Mighty Gabby – Who Killed Pele // Bridgetown
4580 DaCosta Allamby – The Wedding // No more backalou
4582 Merrymen – Just A Little Bit // Sydney Burnet
4583 Merrymen – Sweet Sugar Cane // Mr Harding – Crop Over Fever
4585 Merrymen – How Many Times I A Told Ya // She Want Pan (REC label)
4586 Peter Leacock – Take A Chance On Me // One Year Love Affair (REC label)
4588 Merrymen – Let Me Wrap You In My Arms // Happy Birthday Jesus
4589 Merrymen – Beautiful Barbados // Yellow Bird
4590 Merrymen – Uncle Sam Goes Calypso//Beautiful Barbados
Merry Disc 45’s, Misc:
MN0020 // MN0022 Merrymen – You Sweeten Me // It’s All Over
MerryDisc 3381 Merrymen- After Johnny // Pack She Back To She Ma
MerryDisc 3381 Merrymen – Caribbean Love Song // No. 3
Caravan 45’s:
CX100 The Wee Beasties – Something To Do With The Weather // Cherry Tree
CX102 Jackie Shane – Knock on wood // You’re the one
CX125 Merrymen – Good-Bye // Israelites
CX130 Merrymen – La Belle City // My Love For You
CX 145 Merrymen – Take These Ribbons // Sin To Tell A Lie
CX150 Merrymen – Bum Bum // Barnabas Island Series
CX155 Funny – Soul Chick // Funny Florie
CX160 Lord Shorty – The Art Of Making Love // Part Two
CX165 Lord Shorty – Calypso Is Ours // Indrani
CX166 Jackie Shane – Don’t Play That Song // Barefootin’
CX170 Merrymen – Ring ting ting // God bless BIM
CX175 Merrymen – My Pussin // Wings Of A Dove
CX185 Lord Shorty – Gone Gone Gone // Loving You
CX190 Escorts – Sixpence // Loving Feeling
CX210 Lord Shorty – Soul Calypso Music // Bajan Girl
CX215 Merrymen – Who Put The Pepper // Price Of Gas Gone Up
CX220 Merrymen – Devil Woman // Sweet Bum Bum
CX225 Lord Shorty – Endless Vibrations // Drum Spirits
CX230 Merrymen – How I Love Here Alouette // Good Good Mornin’
CX235 Merrymen – La La Jam Back // Paloma Blanca
CX240 Jackie Opel – You Send Me // Fly Me To The Moon
B320 Draytons Two – Mr Jones // Go Go
B366 Draytons Two – 6 And 7 Books Of Moses // Roe Boat
CX255 Merrymen – Just A Little Bit // Sydney Burnet
REC-4520 Merrymen – Baxter’s Road // A Sin To Tell A Lie
REC 4525 The Blue Rhythm Combo – Black Water Gold // Sweet Spouge Music (?)
REC-4547 The Blue Rhythm Combo – Take The Funky Feeling // Knock on wood
REC-4563 The Blue Rhythm Combo – Miliki // Bajan Love Song
REC-4567 The Troubadours International – Love theme // Spouge Inspiration
REC-4569 The Blue Rhythm Combo – Rhythm Man // Get Down
No catalogue number:
Merrymen – Don’t Talk To Me // A Big Rock (For Juke Box Only)
'Merry Disc Discography' have 4 comments
03/01/2015 @ 8:22 PM Solly Cham
I have a copy of M53 gary sobers I cant find much info on it. Can any body help me? How many copies were made?
01/02/2015 @ 11:44 PM Alfred Benjamin
This 7″ was released in the early 70s as a tribute to a great Barbadian who was one of the world’s cricketers. Apart from this tune, The Mighty Sparrow had done a song in the 60s about him also.
02/01/2016 @ 12:35 AM sandyee
we have a copy of Mardi Gras, Barbados Stellpan fealturing Sid Serreo mms-1028 any idea what it is worth?
21/10/2016 @ 3:33 PM Sean Morvan
Hello, I have been trying to download the song “Soca Jam” from the album ‘Sugar Jam from Apple iTunes. For some reason, Fonior and Merrydisc only have a 55 second snippet of the song as content to download. Can someone please help me with this issue – I am trying to download the whole song from somewhere to my iTunes. Thanks.