The Skatalites - The Best of the Skatalites (2017)

In Jamaica throughout the early half of the 1960’s, the sound of ska prevailed and of all the groups to make their mark during this time, none proved more influential or popular than the Skatalites. Following their creation in the summer of ’64, this powerhouse instrumental combo, featuring the cream of Kingston’s session players dominated the island’s music industry for 18 glorious months. Among the very best of their recordings produced during this time were released on Duke Reid’s famed Treasure Isle label, and 40 of their works for the legendary producer comprise this modestly priced 2CD celebration of the ska sound. As with previous titles in the ‘Trojan Legends’ range, the release is presented in a handsomely designed digi-pack sleeve, which includes an 8-page booklet highlighting an array of fascinating images, well as a comprehensive essay on this celebrated group.

Tracklist:

01. The Skatalites & Don Drummond - Eastern Standard Time
02. Don Drummond, Tommy McCook & The Skatalites - (Music Is) My Occupation
03. The Skatalites - Street Corner
04. The Skatalites & Don Drummond - Garden of Love
05. The Skatalites & Lester Sterling - Latin Goes Ska
06. Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites - Silver Dollar
07. The Skatalites & Don Drummond - Green Island
08. Tommy McCook & The Baba Brooks Band - Alley Cat Ska
09. Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond & The Skatalites - Alipang (Alley Pon)
10. The Skatalites & Roland Alphonso - Corner Stone (A Trip to Mars)
11. Don Drummond & The Baba Brooks Band - Doctor Dekker
12. The Skatalites & Tommy McCook - Rocket Ship
13. The Baba Brooks Band - Teenage Ska
14. Baba Brooks & Don Drummond - Knockout Punch (Cotton Tree)
15. Frank Anderson, Don Drummond & The Skatalites - Musical Store Room
16. The Skatalites & Don Drummond - Cool Smoke
17. Don Drummond & Baba Brooks - Lucky Seven
18. Don Drummond & Baba Brooks - Melody Jamboree
19. Don Drummond, Baba Brooks & The Skatalites - Stampede
20. The Baba Brooks Band - Girls Town Ska
21. The Skatalites & Tommy McCook - Twelve Minutes to Go
22. The Skatalites & Don Drummond - Thoroughfare (Treasure Isle)
23. The Skatalites & Baba Brooks - Boat Ride
24. The Skatalites & Don Drummond - Mesopotamia
25. Roland Alphonso & The Baba Brooks Band - Nuclear Weapon
26. The Skatalites & Roland Alphonso - Sandy Gully
27. Don Drummond - University Goes Ska
28. Cuttings - Duck Soup (with Baba Brooks & His Band)
29. Lyn Taitt & The Baba Brooks Band - Skalarama (The Magnificent Seven Theme)
30. The Baba Brooks Band - Vitamin A
31. The Skatalites & Don Drummond - Around the World
32. Lyn Taitt & The Baba Brooks Band - Independence Ska (El Pussycat)
33. The Skatalites & Roland Alphonso - Feeling Fine
34. The Baba Brooks Band - Guns Fever
35. The Skatalites & Don Drummond - Don De Lion
36. Don Drummond & Tommy McCook - J.F.K.'s Memory
37. Tommy McCook & The Baba Brooks Band - Special Event
38. The Skatalites - Good News
39. Baba Brooks & His Band - Catch a Fire
40. Lyn Taitt & The Baba Brooks Band - Forty Miles of Bad Road