Label: Jump Up!
Reissued 2021, Originally released 2000
The Skatalites are more than a band, they are an institution, an aggregation of top-notch musicians who didn’t merely define the sound of Jamaica, but WERE the sound in the ’60s. Frequently credited as the originators of ska — the Skatalites’ various members banded together as both an original group and the often uncredited backing band for artists/producers such as Prince Buster and Duke Reid. Although the group officially existed in its original incarnation for less than 18 months (1964-1965), its members brought their signature styles to thousands of the island’s releases. Following a handful of reunions in the ’70s and early ’80s, the Skatalites re-formed for good in 1986 and, over subsequent decades, have included a rotating lineup of both original members and newcomers responsible for late-period highlights like 1994’s “Hi-Bop Ska” and 2000’s “Bashaka”, now reissued on vinyl for the first time. “BASHAKA” is an album lost in time, plagued by a label bankruptcy and released when mainstream’s support for the genre had waned. Simply put, this brilliant album never got the credit it deserves! Original members Lloyd Knibb, Lloyd Brevett, Lester Sterling and Cedric Brooks lead the charge into scorching ska instrumentals and rootsy jazz reggae, Doreen Shaffer adds beautiful vocals on ska tunes “Oh baby” and “Reach for the Sky”, while special guest Ken Boothe delivers the mid-tempo groover “I Never Knew”.
Track listing:
- Ska Latte
- Sky Rocket
- Ska Of Iran
- Tanya
- Roland Ride Along
- Wild Honey
- Reach For The Sky
- Milk Lane Shuffle
- What A Day
- I Never Knew (What A Queen Was Like)
- Magic Muffin
- Hail Tommy McCook
- Oh Baby