The Skatalites - Play Ska LP

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.