The Skatalites - ‘Essential Artist Collection’ limited clear double vinyl LP reissue.

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 Essential Artist Collection is a brand new series of albums on Trojan Records for 2023. It will showcase the biggest selling and most celebrated artists/groups from the Trojan archive.

Tracklisting -

LP1

Side 1 -

1. (Music Is) My Occupation (Ring of Fire) - Don Drummond, Tommy McCook & The Skatalites

2. Alley Cat Ska – Tommy McCook & The Baba Brooks Band

3. Cool Smoke – Don Drummond & The Skatalites

4. Garden of Love – Don Drummond & The Skatalites

5. Twelve Minutes to Go – Tommy McCook

6. Girls Town Ska – The Baba Brooks Band

7. Vitamin A – The Baba Brooks Band

Side 2 -

1. Latin Goes Ska – Lester Sterling & The Skatalites

2. Alipang – Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond & The Skatalites

3. Lucky Seven – Don Drummond & The Tommy McCook Band

4. Musical Store Room – Frank Anderson & Roland Alphonso

5. Musical Communion – The Baba Brooks Orchestra

6. Sandy Gully – Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites

7. Doctor Dekker – Don Drummond & The Baba Brooks Band

LP2

Side 1 -

1. Nuclear Weapon – Roland Alphonso & The Baba Brooks Band

2. Corner Stone – Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites

3. Knockout Punch (aka Cotton Tree) – Baba Brooks & Don Drummond

4. Don De Lion – Don Drummond & The Skatalites

5. Rocket Ship – Tommy McCook & The Skatalites

6. Feeling Fine – Roland Alphonso & The Skatalites

7. Mesopotamia – Don Drummond & The Skatalites

Side 2 -

1. Eastern Standard Time – Don Drummond & The Skatalites

2. Thoroughfare (Treasure Isle) – Don Drummond & The Skatalites

3. Silver Dollar – Don Drummond & Roland Alphonso

4. Street Corner – The Skatalites

5. University Goes Ska – Don Drummond

6. Good News – The Skatalites

7. J.F.K’S Memory – Don Drummond & Tommy McCook