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LP
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VPRL 1497LP
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2024 repress. Originally released in 1998. "A typically excellent reissue by Heartbeat, Rounder Records' reggae-and-Caribbean imprint, 1998's Skatalites & Friends At Randy's is a fascinating collection of rare tracks recorded at the legendary Randy's Studio in Kingston, Jamaica in the mid '60s. Although the Skatalites only get their names on a quarter of the 20 tracks here -- all of them killer ska instrumentals -- they were the backing band on all of them, and although the Maytals or Alton Ellis might get top billing on the other 15 tracks, they're indubitably Skatalites tracks. Even more than Booker T and the MGs did for Stax/Volt or the Funk Brothers did for Motown, the Skatalites defined -- some say invented -- the musical landscape of Kingston from 1963 to 1966. Highlights include 'Machine Shop' a solo showcase by Skatalites trombonist Don Drummond, and a skanking version of Henry Mancini's 'Baby Elephant Walk' that works much better than anyone might expect."
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LP
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KSLP 011LP
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2024 repress. If one band could be cited for the emergence of ska, it would be The Skatalites. Formed around June 1965 and built around the many musicians that had honed their craft at the Alpha Boys School in Kingston, Jamaica, the early line-up consisted of Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso, Tommy McCook, Johnny "Dizzy" Moore, Lester Sterling, Jerome "Jah Jerry" Hines, Jackie Mittoo, Lloyd Brevett and Lloyd Knibbs. The time-span of the Skatalites' career, considering their output of literally hundreds of sides of music, was a relatively short one of just over two years. Here, Kingston Sounds have delved into the vaults of Wirl Records and have selected some tunes that show the dexterity of the band and what great sounds this group of musicians were capable of producing.
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LP
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KSLP 027LP
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LP version. 2011 release. When talking about ska music, one group of musicians whose name always comes to the forefront of the conversation are The Skatalites. Formed around 1965 and named originally after the Soviet space satellite which was big news at the time and with a little help from band member Tommy McCook, making a play on the characteristic "ska" sound made by the guitar when following the "after beat" of the music. The band would have a name to go with its distinctive musical style. The group had honed their skills by playing under various guises around Jamaica in numerous "Hotel Bands." When the big Sound System operators of the day, Sir Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid and King Edwards needed new material to play out, they turned to this group of musicians to provide it. Their usual source for the material was beginning to dry up, namely the American R&B records of the day, due to tastes in the USA changing. They began by getting the group to record their own set of tunes in this still popular sound in Jamaica and also cut some tracks with the popular singers of the day, Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis and Lord Creator, to name but a few. Their knowledge of the old mento tunes and an understanding of jazz and the R 'n' B sound under the tutelage of their official band leader and main musical director Don Drummond made this possible and created a sound that was to dominate the Island from the early '60s to around 1966 when the music would slow down to become rocksteady. The time span of The Skatalites' career considering their output of hundreds of tunes was a relatively short one of around two years. The line-up consisted of Don Drummond (trombone), Roland Alphonso (tenor saxophone), Tommy McCook (tenor saxophone), Johnny "Dizzy Moore (trumpet), Lester Sterling (alto saxophone), Jerome "Jah Jerry" Hines (guitar), Jackie Mittoo (piano), Lloyd Brevett (bass), and Lloyd Knibbs (drums). Here is a great set of tunes that the band cut at the legendary Treasure Isle Studios. Built out of wood and positioned above Duke Reid's liquor store, it somehow worked in getting a great sound out of the band, or maybe it was the intimidating sight of Duke Reid and his ever-present loaded gun that he carried at all times that provided some inspiration. Whatever the reasons, the band cut some mighty fine tunes, a selection of which are cherry-picked here, for your musical pleasure.
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RUSLP 8310LP
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"Come ye revelers to hear the original Skatalites, in their prime, in long extended jam sessions, recorded live in Jamaica in 1983 at the Blue Monk Jazz Gallery nightclub before their friends and fellow musicians. In 1983 Herbie Miller, manager of Peter Tosh brought the original Skatalites (minus the late Don Drummond) back to Jamaica from all over the world to perform at the 1983 Jamaica Sunsplash. The Skatalites had broken up 18 years earlier, after their short career of two years (1963-1965). Personal disagreements, conflicts and animosities had driven these inventors of ska and master musicians to seek their own future as individual artists. Miller, who became their manager, owned a nightclub in Kingston, Jamaica called The Blue Monk Jazz Gallery. Here, after 18 years of separation they reconciled their differences, (for a time), and rehearsed for Sunsplash '83 and performed live at the club before a crowd of local fans, friends, and fellow musicians. There were no restrictions on the length of sets, no barriers on solos or improvisational experiments, and no recording studio limits on how long each song should last. They stretched out, played out, and had a joyous 18th anniversary celebration and reunion. Fortunately, Miller recorded the rehearsals and nightclub performances and captured for history (and dance - mad ska mavens) all the spontaneity, fire, electricity, and good fellowship of that unique moment. Ska at its best by the greatest ska musicians in the world!"
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LP
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RUSLP 8312LP
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"The heavily anticipated vinyl re-release of Volume Two of the Skatalites marathon ska-blowout -- Stretching Out. Come ye revelers to hear the original Skatalites, in their prime, in long extended jam sessions, recorded live in Jamaica in 1983 at the Blue Monk Jazz Gallery nightclub before their friends and fellow musicians. In 1983 Herbie Miller, manager of Peter Tosh brought the original Skatalites (minus the late Don Drummond) back to Jamaica from all over the world to perform at the 1983 Jamaica Sunsplash. The Skatalites had broken up 18 years earlier, after their short career of two years (1963-1965). Personal disagreements, conflicts and animosities had driven these inventors of ska and master musicians to seek their own future as individual artists. Miller, who became their manager, owned a nightclub in Kingston, Jamaica called The Blue Monk Jazz Gallery. Here, after 18 years of separation they reconciled their differences, (for a time), and rehearsed for Sunsplash '83 and performed live at the club before a crowd of local fans, friends, and fellow musicians. There were no restrictions on the length of sets, no barriers on solos or improvisational experiments, and no recording studio limits on how long each song should last. They stretched out, played out, and had a joyous 18th anniversary celebration and reunion. Fortunately, Miller recorded the rehearsals and nightclub performances and captured for history (and dance - mad ska mavens) all the spontaneity, fire, electricity, and good fellowship of that unique moment. Ska at its best by the greatest ska musicians in the world!"
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CD
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KSCD 011CD
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"If one band could be cited for the emergence of ska, it would be The Skatalites. Formed around June 1965 and built around the many musicians that had honed their craft at the Alpha Boys School in Kingston, Jamaica, the early line up consisted of Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso, Tommy McCook, Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore, Lester Sterling, Jerome 'Jah Jerry' Hines, Jackie Mittoo, Lloyd Brevett and Lloyd Knibbs. The time span of the Skatalites career, considering their output of literally hundreds of sides of music, was a relatively short one of just over two years. Here, Kingston Sounds have delved into the vaults of Wirl Records and have selected some tunes that show the dexterity of the band and what great sounds this group of musicians were capable of producing."
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