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.
TRACK LISTING
LP1 SIDE 1
(Music Is) My Occupation (Ring Of Fire) - Don Drummond, Tommy McCook & The Skatalites
Alley Cat Ska – Tommy McCook & The Baba Brooks Band
Cool Smoke – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Garden Of Love – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Twelve Minutes To Go – Tommy McCook
Girls Town Ska – The Baba Brooks Band
Vitamin A – The Baba Brooks Band
LP1 SIDE 2
Latin Goes Ska – Lester Sterling & The Skatalites
Alipang – Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Lucky Seven – Don Drummond & The Tommy McCook Band
Musical Store Room – Frank Anderson & Roland Alphonso
Musical Communion – The Baba Brooks Orchestra
Sandy Gully – Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
Doctor Dekker – Don Drummond & The Baba Brooks Band
LP2 SIDE 1
Nuclear Weapon – Roland Alphonso & The Baba Brooks Band
Corner Stone – Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
Knockout Punch (aka Cotton Tree) – Baba Brooks & Don Drummond
Don De Lion – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Rocket Ship – Tommy McCook & The Skatalites
Feeling Fine – Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
Mesopotamia – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
LP2 SIDE 2
Eastern Standard Time – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Thoroughfare (Treasure Isle) – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Silver Dollar – Don Drummond & Roland Alphonso
Street Corner – The Skatalites
University Goes Ska – Don Drummond
Good News – The Skatalites
J.F.K’S Memory – Don Drummond & Tommy McCook
CD 1
Music Is) My Occupation (Ring Of Fire) Don Drummond, Tommy McCook & The Skatalites
Alley Cat Ska – Tommy McCook & The Baba Brooks Band
Cool Smoke – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Garden Of Love - Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Twelve Minutes To Go – Tommy McCook
Girls Town Ska – The Baba Brooks Band
Stampede – Don Drummond, Baba Brooks & The Skatalites
Vitamin A – The Baba Brooks Band
Teenage Ska – The Baba Brooks Band
Melody Jamboree – Don Drummond & Baba Brooks
Boat Ride – Baba Brooks & The Skatalites
Around The World – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Watermelon Man – The Baba Brooks Orchestra
River Bank, Pt.1 (Bank To Bank) – Baba Brooks & His Band
Guns Fever – Baba Brooks & His Band
Ska Virginia (Virginia Ska) – The Baba Brooks Band
Duck Soup – Cuttings With Baba Brooks & His Band
Donkey City, Pt.1 – The Baba Brooks Band
Latin Goes Ska – Lester Sterling & The Skatalites
Alipang – Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Lucky Seven – Don Drummond & The Tommy McCook Band
Musical Store Room – Frank Anderson & Roland Alphonso
Musical Communion – The Baba Brooks Orchestra
Sandy Gully – Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
Doctor Dekker – Don Drummond & The Baba Brooks Band
CD 2
Nuclear Weapon – Roland Alphonso & The Baba Brooks Band
Corner Stone (A Trip To Mars) – Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
Knockout Punch (Cotton Tree) – Baba Brooks & Don Drummond
Don De Lion – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Rocket Ship – Tommy McCook & The Skatalites
Feeling Fine – Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
Mesopotamia – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Donkey City, Pt.2 – The Baba Brooks Band
Independence Ska (El Pussycat) – Lyn Taitt & The Baba Brooks Band
The Rude Boy – Roland Alphonso & Duke Reid’s Group
Jelly Bean – The Baba Brooks Band
Skalarama (The Magnificent Seven Theme) – Lyn Taitt & The Comets
River Bank, Pt.2 – Baba Brooks & His Band
Country Town – Baba Brooks
One Eyed Giant – Baba Brooks & His Band
Twilight Zone (Instrumental) – The Baba Brooks Band
Catch A Fire – Baba Brooks & His Band
Spider – Don Drummond
Eastern Standard Time – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Thoroughfare (Treasure Isle) – Don Drummond & The Skatalites
Silver Dollar – Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites
Street Corner – The Skatalites
University Goes Ska – Don Drummond
J.F.K.’s Memory – Don Drummond & Tommy McCook
Good News – The Skatalites
