SKA was the name given to the music that came out of Jamaica between 1961/66.
Based on the American R & B and Doo-wop records that the Sound Systems in Kingston
Town used to play. But the American records style started to mellow out, while the
Jamaicans preferred a more upbeat sound. So the Sound System bosses became
record producers to cater for this demand. Sir ‘Coxonne’ Dodd and Duke Reid led
the way putting the top musicians on the Island in the studio to make music, its subtle
twist that had an emphasis placed on the offbeat, made the music
unmistakingly Jamaican.
W.I.R.L. Records (West India Records Limited) was set up by the Jamaican politician
Edward Seaga in the late 1950’s. He had supervised the recording of an album of
Ethnic Jamaican music and needed an outlet for it’s eventual release. He had a
great love for music and became deeply involved in the Jamaican music scene,
promoting bands and dances. He was one of the founders and recorded such
artists as Higgs and Wilson and Bryon Lee and the Dragonaires. WIRL was based
at 13 Bell Road, Kingston, Jamaica and was a recording studio as well as a record
label and became the most successful record company in the West Indies.
As Edward Seaga’s political career took off and became more demanding, he was
forced to take a back seat with the runnings of the label. In 1962 the year of Jamaican
Independence. Seaga became a Member of Parliament, representing the Jamaican
Labour Party and decided to sell the company to Bryon Lee. This sale also led to a
name change and WIRL became Dynamic Sounds.
We have compiled some of the best SCORCHING SKA SOUNDS that came out
of the W.I.R.L. vaults. Cut by the top musicians of the day, The Skatalites and their
various off shoot members. Tracks cut at WIRL, Federal, Studio One and
Treasure Isle studios, but all promoted through the great W.I.R.L label.
A label that speaks for itself, musically and historically wise, giving us great
timeless music that still sounds as fresh today as when it was produced back in the day.
Hope You enjoy the set….
CD Track Listing
1 Chinatown • The Skatalites
2 The Reburial • The Skatalites
3 South China Sea • Johnny Moore
4 Determination • Roland Alphonso
5 Love In The Afternoon • Don Drummond
6 Confucius • The Skatalites
7 Live Wire • The Skatalites
8 Ska – Boo – Da - Ba • The Skatalites
9 A Shot In The Dark • The Skatalites
10 El Pussycat • The Skatalites
11 Ska – Ra - Van • The Skatalites
12 Smiling • The Skatalites
13 Ringo Rides • The Skatalites
14 VC 10 • Roland Alphonso
15 Lawless Street • The Skatalites*
16 Marcus Junior • The Skatalites*
•CD Bonus Track
Vinyl Track Listing
Side 1
1 Chinatown • The Skatalites
2 The Reburial • The Skatalites
3 South China Sea • Johnny Moore
4 Determination • Roland Alphonso
5 Love In The Afternoon • Don Drummond
6 Confucius • The Skatalites
7 Live Wire • The Skatalites
Side 2
1 Ska – Boo – Da - Ba • The Skatalites
2 A Shot In The Dark • The Skatalites
3 El Pussycat • The Skatalites
4 Ska – Ra - Van • The Skatalites
5 Smiling • The Skatalites
6 Ringo Rides • The Skatalites
7 VC 10 • Roland Alphonso
Musicians Include:
Don Drummond: Trombone
Roland Alphonso: Tenor Saxophone
Tommy McCook: Tenor Saxophone
Johnny ‘Dizzy’ Moore: Trumpet
Lester Sterling: Alto Saxophone
Jerome ‘Jah Jerry’ Hines: Guitar
Jackie Mittoo: Piano
Lloyd Brevett: Bass
Lloyd Knibbs: Drums
Recorded at: Wirl, Federal, Studio 1 and Treasure Isle Studios
Executive Producers: Bunny Rae & Bob Grey
Manufactured Under Licence from: E.Lee / Bunny Rae
W.I.R.L. Productions
Design: Gary @ Voodoo London
All tracks Copyright control
