Beverley’s Records: Jamaica’s Ice-Cream Parlour that Launched Reggae

From Ice-Cream Parlour to Record Label

In the early 1960s, the Kong family ran Beverley’s Restaurant, Ice-Cream Parlour & Record Shop at 135A Orange Street, Kingston—a hub in Jamaica’s emerging music scene. One day in 1961, a teenage Jimmy Cliff auditioned his song “Dearest Beverley” outside the shop. Leslie Kong, impressed, recorded it and paired it with “Hurricane Hattie.” This single became Beverley’s first big hit and launched both Cliff’s career and the label itself.

PLAYLIST

1. Leslie Kong – I'm in a Rocking Mood (Alternate Version)

2. Jimmy Cliff – Hurricane Hattie

3. The Melodians – Rivers of Babylon

4. The Gaylads – It's All in the Game

5. Ken Boothe – It's Gonna Take a Miracle

6. Peter Tosh, The Wailers – Stop the Train

7. The Pioneers – Samphie Man

8. Bruce Downer – Free the People

9. Delroy Wilson – Got To Get Away

10. The Maytals – 54-46 That's My Number

11. The Pioneers – Money Day

12. The Wailers – Back Out

13. Desmond Dekker & The Aces, Desmond Dekker, ACES – Israelites

14. Ansel Collins – Sentimental Journey

15. The Maytals – Peeping Tom

16. Beverley’s Allstars – Be Yours

17. The Pioneers – Long Shot (Kick De Bucket)

18. Desmond Dekker & The Aces – 007 (Shanty Town)

19. The Maytals – Sweet and Dandy

20. Lloyd Clark – I Love You the Most

21. Ken Boothe – Freedom Street