Formed in 1967, The Soul Vendors were a pivotal Jamaican rocksteady band, emerging from the remnants of The Skatalites. As the house band for producer Coxsone Dodd's Studio One, they played a crucial role in the transition from ska to rocksteady, laying the groundwork for reggae. Their lineup featured esteemed musicians like guitarist Ernest Ranglin, trumpeter Johnny "Dizzy" Moore, pianist Richard Ace, and bassist Lloyd Brevett. Notably, Roland Alphonso and Jackie Mittoo served as arrangers and composers, crafting instrumental classics such as "Darker Shade of Black," "Ram Jam," "Swing Easy," and "Drum Song." Beyond their instrumental work, The Soul Vendors backed legendary artists like The Heptones, Alton Ellis, and Ken Boothe, solidifying their legacy in Jamaican music history. ([fr.wikipedia.org](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Soul_Vendors?utm_source=openai))