The Cats, previously known as the Hustlin' Kind, were a ska ensemble from Mile End, London.de Koningh, Michael & Griffiths, Marc (2003) Tighten Up! The History of Reggae in the UK, Sanctuary, , pp. 37-38 The group's lineup comprised Tyrone Patterson (keyboards), Richard Archer (bass), John Kpiaye (guitar), and Michael Okoro (drums).
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 on the UK Singles Chart 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; 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.
Discography Singles Record label Record number Year TitleBAFBAF11968"Swan Lake" / "Swing Low"BAFBAF21968"My Girl" / "The Hog"BAFBAF31968"The Hog" / "Blues for Justice"BAFBAF41968"William Tell" / "Love Walk Right In"BAFBAF51968"Falling in Love" / "Don't Mess with Cupid"CrystalCR 70091970"Sherman" / "What Can I Do"GrooveGVE 10011976"Swan Lake" (re-recording) / "Swan Lake" (disco version)
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