Penthouse’s founder Donovan Germain was born on March 7, 1952 in Kingston, Jamaica. In the 70’s he relocated to New York and was running Keith’s Records, a reggae record shop here in Brooklyn. In 1975, Germain began distributing records for several jamaican producers and started producing. Germain spent much of the 80s travelling between Jamaica, USA and England for his productions. He progressively gave up roots productions and turned to digital riddims. Eventually he moved back to Kingston to open his own Penthouse studio on the top floor of a building on Slipe Road in 1988 (hence the name Penthouse).
He produced his first big hit on Penthouse Records “Chaka On The Move” by Chaka Demus in 1989. He became also distributor, first of all of his own productions then of those of other labels. The quality of its productions quickly enabled him to achieve an impressive number of hit singles and to become one of the most important labels in Jamaica. Penthouse allowed many young artists like Wayne Wonder, Buju Banton, Tony Rebel, Cutty Ranks, Sanchez or Mad Cobra to launch their international career in the early 90s.
On the following pages, we picked some of our favourite riddims from the sheer endless catalog of Penthouse Records. Enjoy!
Feeling Soul Riddim (1991)
Marcia Griffiths – Fire Burning
Andi – Fuego Quemando
Anthony Malvo – There’s no Me
Beres Hammond – Feeling Lonely
Beres Hammond & Cobra – Feeling Lonely
Beres Hammond & Cinderella MC – Come and Get Me
Buju Banton – Love Black Woman
Buju Banton – Browning
Chaka Demus – Get Up Stand Up
Jack Radics – I’ll Be Sweeter
Leroy Smart – Bad Boy
Marcia Griffiths – Fire Burning
Marcia Griffiths & Tony Rebel – Things Not So Right
Marcia Griffiths & Cutty Ranks – Half Idiot
Peter Man – Understanding Each Other
Supervisor – Prevention
Tabby Diamond – Miracle
Thriller U – Every Little Step
Tiger – Crying Fool
Wayne Wonder – Feeling Soul
A Love I Can Feel Riddim (1991)
Beres Hammond – Tempted To Touch
Beres Hammond & Cutty Ranks – Love Mi Haffee Get
Cobra – All Who Believe
ET Webster – Temptation
Nana McLean – Nana’s Medley
Pinchers – Stand By Me / She’s Coming Back
Pliers – Call It Off
Richie Stephens – Trying To Get To You
Sanchez – Won’t Last A Day
Tony Rebel – Fresh Vegetable
Tony Tuff – I’ve Got To Get You
Always Together Riddim (1991)
Beres Hammond – Respect To You Baby
Beres Hammond & Tony Rebel – Respect and Honour
Carlene Davis – Dream Talk
Jack Radics – I Love You
Johnny P – Gun Talk
Marcia Griffiths & Cutty Ranks – Really Together / Give Me Your Loving
Marcia Griffiths & Bunny Ruggs – Really Together
Sanchez – Sanchez Medley
Tiger – Must Street
Tony Rebel – Sweet Rose Apple
Head To Toe Riddim (1992)
Beres Hammond – Sweet Sensation
Buju Banton – Protection
Silver Cat – Getting So Hot
Terry Ganzie – Inspiration
Wayne Wonder & Tony Rebel – Cross Over The Bridge
Falling In Love Riddim (1992)
Andi – Thinking About You
Beres Hammond – Falling In Love
Beres Hammond & Buju Banton – Who Say
Jack Radics – Stay With You
Marcia Griffiths & Cutty Ranks – Loving You
Nana McLean – What A Price
Wayne Wonder – Tongue Tied
Wayne Wonder & Terry Ganzie – Woman A How
