During the early 1960’s, the sound of ska exploded upon Jamaica’s musical landscape, with the driving dynamic sound championed by arguably the greatest ensemble of musicians ever to have performed and recorded on the island. Fronted by legendary saxophonist Tommy McCook, the Skatalites also comprised a veritable who’s who of Kingston-based performers, their number including trombonist Don Drummond, tenor saxman Roland Alphonso, drumming supremo Lloyd Knibb and keyboard prodigy Jackie Mittoo.
Following their creation in the summer of ’64, this powerhouse instrumental combo dominated the island’s music industry for 18 glorious months, the very best of their work produced by famed Treasure Isle Records boss, Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid.
The best of their output for the celebrated producer is showcased on the ‘Essential Artist Collection’, which sees issue on both as a 2LP vinyl set and a double CD collection, both of which provide the best introduction yet to the music of the incredible, multi-talented and hugely influential Skatalites.
Tracklist:
CD 1
1. (Music Is) My Occupation - Don Drummond, Tommy McCook & The Skatalites
2. Alley Cat Ska - Tommy McCook & The Baba Brooks Band
3. Cool Smoke - Don Drummond & The Skatalites
4. Garden of Love - Don Drummond & The Skatalites
5. Twelve Minutes to Go - Tommy McCook & The Skatalites
6. Girls Town Ska - The Baba Brooks Band
7. Stampede - Don Drummond & Baba Brooks & The Skatalites
8. Vitamin A - The Baba Brooks Band
9. Teenage Ska - The Baba Brooks Band
10. Melody Jamboree - Don Drummond & Baba Brooks
11. Boat Ride - Baba Brooks & The Skatalites
12. Around the World - Don Drummond & The Skatalites
13. Watermelon Man - The Baba Brooks Band
14. River Bank, Pt.1 (Bank to Bank) - Baba Brooks & His Band
15. Guns Fever - The Baba Brooks Band
16. Ska Virginia (Virginia Ska) - The Baba Brooks Band
17. Duck Soup (with Baba Brooks & His Band) - Cuttings
18. Donkey City, Pt. 1 - The Baba Brooks Band
19. Latin Goes Ska - Lester Sterling & The Skatalites
20. Alipang (Alley Pon) - Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond & The Skatalites
21. Lucky Seven - Don Drummond & Baba Brooks
22. Musical Store Room - Frank Anderson, Don Drummond & The Skatalites
23. Musical Communion (Sly Mongoose) - Baba Brooks
24. Sandy Gully - Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
25. Doctor Dekker - Don Drummond & The Baba Brooks Band
CD 2
1. Nuclear Weapon - Roland Alphonso & The Baba Brooks Band
2. Corner Stone (A Trip to Mars) - Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
3. Knockout Punch (Cotton Tree) - Baba Brooks & Don Drummond
4. Don De Lion - Don Drummond & The Skatalites
5. Rocket Ship - Tommy McCook & The Skatalites
6. Feeling Fine - Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
7. Mesopotamia - Don Drummond & The Skatalites
8. Donkey City, Pt. 2 - The Baba Brooks Band
9. Independence Ska (El Pussycat) - Lyn Taitt & The Baba Brooks Band
10. Rude Boy - Roland Alphonso & Duke Reid's Group
11. Jelly Bean - The Baba Brooks Band
12. Skalarama (The Magnificent Seven Theme) - Lyn Taitt & The Baba Brooks Band
13. River Bank (Pt. 1) - Baba Brooks & His Band
14. Country Town - Baba Brooks
15. One Eyed Giant - Baba Brooks & His Band
16. Twilight Zone (Instrumental) - The Baba Brooks Band
17. Catch a Fire - Baba Brooks & His Band
18. Spider - Don Drummond
19. Eastern Standard Time - Don Drummond & The Skatalites
20. Thoroughfare (Treasure Isle) - Don Drummond & The Skatalites
21. Silver Dollar - Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
22. Street Corner - The Skatalites
23. University Goes Ska - Don Drummond
24. J.F.K.'s Memory - Don Drummond & Tommy McCook
25. Good News - The Skatalites
