If you’re a fan of Jamaican ska, then you know that there’s nothing quite like it. It’s the perfect blend of reggae, rocksteady, and calypso, and it always gets your feet moving. Here are the 10 best Jamaican ska tracks of all time.
Table of Contents
Reggae: The Definitive Collection
If you want to get an education in reggae, this is the set to get. It’s a bit pricey, but worth every penny. It’s a 4 CD set with 80 tracks and runs over 5 hours. The booklet that comes with it is excellent, providing detailed liner notes for each track. The sound quality is excellent throughout.
There are 2 discs of classic roots reggae, including tracks from Lee “Scratch” Perry, The Upsetters, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Toots & The Maytals, Max Romeo, Junior Murvin, and many more. Disc 3 features the best of reggae’s golden age in the 1970s, with tracks from Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Black Uhuru, Bunny Wailer, and others. And finally, disc 4 explores the more modern side of reggae with tracks from Beenie Man, Sean Paul, Buju Banton, Elephant Man, and Vybz Kartel.
Overall, this is an essential collection for any reggae fan. It’s also a great way to get introduced to the genre if you’re not already familiar with it. Highly recommended.
Ska: The Definitive Collection
Ska: The Definitive Collection is a compilation album by various ska artists. It was released on March 20, 2001 by Trojan Records. The album features thirty tracks of ska music from the 1960s and 1970s.
The album opens with “My Boy Lollipop” by Millie Small. This song was a huge hit in 1964, and is considered one of the first ska songs to achieve mainstream success. The next track is “Liquidator” by Harry J Allstars, which was released in 1969 and is one of the most well-known ska songs. The rest of the album features tracks by other well-known ska artists such as Desmond Dekker, The Skatalites, and Toots & The Maytals.
This compilation is a great introduction to ska music for those who are not familiar with the genre. It features some of the biggest hits from the golden era of ska, and is sure to get your feet moving. If you’re a fan of reggae or rocksteady, then you’ll definitely enjoy this album.
Trojan Reggae Box Set
The Trojan Reggae Box Set is one of the best reggae box sets out there. It contains 3 CDs with some of the best reggae tunes from the 60s and 70s. The tracks are well chosen and represent the different styles of reggae from that era. The sound quality is excellent, as is the packaging. This is a must-have for any reggae fan.
two tone: the definitive collection
When it comes to classic two-tone ska, there’s really only one band that matters: The Specials. And this comprehensive, 35-track collection from Rhino is the best place to start if you want to get your feet wet in the genre.
The disc opens with “Gangsters,” the band’s first single and an immediate two-tone anthem. From there, it’s a non-stop party of up-tempo numbers and catchy melodies, with just enough social commentary (“Do the Dog,” “Too Much Too Young”) to keep things interesting. The real standout tracks are the ones that feature guest vocalist Neville Staple (“A Message to You Rudy,” “Concrete Jungle”), whose high-pitched delivery is the perfect complement to the band’s already tight sound.
If you’re looking for a primer on two-tone ska, look no further than this essential collection from The Specials.
The Best of British Ska
British Ska is one of the most popular and well-known genres of music in the world. It originated in the UK in the late 1950s and has been hugely influential in the development of other genres such as reggae, 2-tone, and rocksteady. British ska has also been a major influence on the fashion, language, and lifestyle of British youth culture.
The Best of British Ska is a collection of some of the best-known and loved ska tracks from the past 60 years. It features classic tracks from legends such as The Specials, Madness, The Beat, and TheSelecter, as well as more recent hits from artists like Rancid and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. This album is the perfect way to discover or rediscover the joys of British ska.
Ska for Beginners
Ska for Beginners: A guide to the basics of the Ska genre
If you’re new to ska music, or just looking to learn more about the genre, then this book is for you. Ska for Beginners takes a comprehensive look at ska music, from its origins in Jamaica to its spread to other parts of the world.
The book starts with a brief history of ska, tracing its roots back to the early days of Jamaican music. From there, it looks at the various subgenres of ska that have developed over the years, including 2-Tone and ska-punk.
Each chapter features a different artist or band, with an in-depth look at their work and how it fits into the wider world of ska. There are also interviews with some of the biggest names in the genre, including The Specials and Madness.
Whether you’re just starting out on your ska journey or you’re already a fan of the genre, Ska for Beginners is the perfect guide to everything you need to know.
Jamaica: Kingston to Ocho Rios (Adventure Guide)
Jamaica is an island that offers a little bit of everything, from stunning beaches and lively nightlife, to hiking in the mountains and exploring historic towns. This Adventure Guide covers all the major bases, from Kingston to Ocho Rios, with information on activities, accommodations, restaurants, and more.
If you’re looking for a beach vacation with plenty of activities to keep you busy, Jamaica is a great choice. The island is home to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, as well as a wide variety of resorts that cater to every budget. You can find everything from all-inclusive resorts with all the bells and whistles to more affordable hotels that offer a more traditional Jamaican experience.
Jamaica is also a great destination for nature lovers. The island is home to a number of national parks, including Blue Mountains National Park, which offers hiking trails with stunning views of the island. There’s also the Cockpit Country, a region of limestone hills that are home to a number of caves and underground rivers.
And of course, no visit to Jamaica would be complete without spending some time in the capital city of Kingston. The city is home to a number of historic sites, like Fort Charles and the Bob Marley Museum, as well as a lively nightlife scene.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an action-packed adventure, Jamaica has something to offer everyone.
Skatalites – Foundation Ska
The Skatalites are one of the most influential bands in the history of ska and reggae. They were active in the 1960s and their music has been hugely influential to subsequent generations of musicians. The band was led by saxophonist Tommy McCook and also featured trombonist Don Drummond, trumpeter Lester Sterling, guitarist Ernest Ranglin, bassist Lloyd Brevett, and drummer Lloyd Knibb. The Skatalites’ sound was a melting pot of Jamaican mento, American jazz, and Caribbean calypso. Their music was characterized by tight instrumentals and catchy melodies, which helped to popularize ska worldwide.
The Skatalites’ first recordings were made in 1963 for Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One label. These recordings showcased the band’s instrumental prowess and laid the foundation for the ska sound. The Skatalites’ popularity increased rapidly in Jamaica and they soon became the house band at Dodd’s legendary Studio One nightclub. The band toured extensively throughout Jamaica and also performed regularly on Jamaican radio. In 1964, the Skatalites embarked on their first international tour, which took them to England, France, and Italy.
The Skatalites’ popularity continued to grow in the late 1960s and they toured extensively throughout Europe and North America. They also recorded several albums during this period, including Freedom Sound (1967), Hi-Bop Ska (1968), and Ball of Fire (1969). The band broke up in 1965 but reformed in 1983. Since then, they have continued to tour and release new albums, including Walk with Me (2004) and Foundation Ska (2009).
The Skatalites are widely regarded as one of the most important bands in the history of ska and reggae. Their music has been hugely influential to subsequent generations of musicians and their legacy continues to grow.
Specials – Ghost Town: The Collection
If you’re a fan of the show Ghost Town, then you’ll love this collection of episodes from the first season. This set includes all 13 episodes of the season, plus bonus features such as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.
Ghost Town: The Collection is a must-have for any fan of the show. The episodes are exciting and well-written, and the bonus features are informative and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a great gift for a Ghost Town fan, this is the perfect option.
Madness – Total Madness: The Very Best of Madness
If you’re a fan of Madness, then this is the album for you. All of their greatest hits are included, plus some bonus tracks that are sure to get your feet moving. The tracks are all well-chosen and represent the best of what Madness has to offer.
The album starts off strong with “Our House”, one of their most well-known and catchy tunes. It’s followed by other classics like “Baggy Trousers”, “Embarrassment”, and “House of Fun”. There are also some deeper cuts like “Shut Up”, which is a great example of Madness’ ability to write both fun and thought-provoking songs.
As mentioned above, there are also some bonus tracks included on the album. These include live versions of “One Step Beyond” and “My Girl”, as well as an acoustic version of “It Must Be Love”. These tracks are all great additions and help to round out the collection.
Overall, this is a must-have for any Madness fan. It’s a great representation of their work and will keep you entertained for hours on end. If you’re looking for a comprehensive collection of their best material, then this is the album for you.