A Rediscovered Gem
Adam Adam Adam | Placentia, CA United States | 03/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Skatalites sessions produced with Justin Yap have grown to legendary status among the ska loving community for quite some time, largely due to the fact that many of these recordings either were only available on vinyl, or not available at all. Luckily, westside recordings found mr yap(now a cab driver in new york) and managed to start re-releasing his material. While most of these volumes were compilations of one sort or another, this particular release actually re-releases an entire album, adding to bonus takes previously unissued. This is some of the highest quality the skatalites would ever record in their short two years together. Trumpeter Johnny Moore has even been quoted as saying he believs it to be the best sessions the band ever did. This should be a definate buy for any skatalites fan, or anyone seeking a good example of reggae's roots."
Ska or Skatalites
Adam Adam Adam | 07/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As far as I'm concerned Ska is the Skatalites, the Skatalites are Ska, accept no imitations . . .They are everything that is good about horns . . .this collection of recordings is a superb example of what makes them so great, exquisite horn rhythms, snatches of familiar old jazz melodies drifting in on the breaks. Incomparable trombone mastery from Don Drummond (if you have a soft spot for the trombone, it must be heard--if you don't, you will). . . People always speak of ska in terms of reggae's roots, but that's far too simplified. The influence and soul of ska so clearly goes back to New Orleans jazz. You could just imagine any of these guys stepping right out of Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives and Sevens Sessions . . .It's the emphasis of virtuosity serving the ensemble, music to entertain, particularly dancers. Their rendition of Caravan, Ska-ra-van, is a heavenly triumph of the power of rhythm supporting melody, you will bow before it, because it alone is worth the price of admission, the rest is gravy."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1