Product Description
The Skatalites – Essential Artist Collection (Double Clear Vinyl)
2LP – Limited Edition Transparent Clear Vinyl (28 Tracks).
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:
Side A
1. Don Drummond, Tommy McCook & The Skatalites – (Music Is) My Occupation (Ring of Fire)
2. Tommy McCook & The Baba Brooks Band – Alley Cat Ska
3. Don Drummond & The Skatalites – Cool Smoke
4. Don Drummond & The Skatalites – Garden of Love
5. Tommy McCook – Twelve Minutes to Go
6. The Baba Brooks Band – Girls Town Ska
7. The Baba Brooks Band – Vitamin A
Side B
1. Lester Sterling & The Skatalites – Latin Goes Ska
2. Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond & The Skatalites – Alipang
3. Don Drummond & The Tommy McCook Band – Lucky Seven
4. Frank Anderson & Roland Alphonso – Musical Store Room
5. The Baba Brooks Orchestra – Musical Communion
6. Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites – Sandy Gully
7. Don Drummond & The Baba Brooks Band – Doctor Dekker
Side C
1. Roland Alphonso & The Baba Brooks Band – Nuclear Weapon
2. Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites – Corner Stone (A Trip to Mars)
3. Baba Brooks & Don Drummond – Knockout Punch (Cotton Tree)
4. Don Drummond & The Skatalites – Don De Lion
5. Tommy McCook & The Skatalites – Rocket Ship
6. Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites – Feeling Fine
7. Don Drummond & The Skatalites – Mesopotamia
Side D
1. Don Drummond & The Skatalites – Eastern Standard Time
2. Don Drummond & The Skatalites – Thoroughfare (Treasure Isle)
3. Don Drummond & Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites – Silver Dollar
4. The Skatalites – Street Corner
5. Don Drummond – University Goes Ska
6. The Skatalites – Good News
7. Don Drummond & Tommy McCook – J.F.K.’s Memory
