The Skatalites - Bashaka LP

Description:
US import!
The Skatalites are more than a band, they are an institution, an aggregation of top-notch musicians who didn’t merely define the sound of Jamaica, but WERE the sound in the ’60s. Frequently credited as the originators of ska - the Skatalites’ various members banded together as both an original group and the often uncredited backing band for artists/producers such as Prince Buster and Duke Reid. Although the group officially existed in its original incarnation for less than 18 months (1964-1965), its members brought their signature styles to thousands of the island’s releases.
Following a handful of reunions in the ’70s and early ’80s, the Skatalites re-formed for good in 1986 and, over subsequent decades, have included a rotating lineup of both original members and newcomers responsible for late-period highlights like 1994’s “Hi-Bop Ska” and 2000’s “Bashaka”, now reissued on vinyl for the first time.
BASHAKA is an album lost in time, plagued by a label bankruptcy and released when mainstream’s support for the genre had waned. Simply put, this brilliant album never got the credit it deserves! Original members Lloyd Knibb, Lloyd Brevett, Lester Sterling and Cedric Brooks lead the charge into scorching ska instrumentals and rootsy jazz reggae, Doreen Shaffer adds beautiful vocals on ska tunes “Oh baby” and “Reach for the Sky”, while special guest Ken Boothe delivers the mid-tempo groover “I Never Knew”. Brand new updated art by Chema Skandal.
Format & package: LP, orange/red vinyl
Record label: Jump Up
Year of release: 2023
Tracks:
A1 Ska Latte
A2 Sky Rocket
A3 Ska Of Iran
A4 Tanya
A5 Roland Ride Along
A6 Wild Honey
B1 Reach For The Sky
B2 Milk Lane Shuffle
B3 What A Day
B4 I Never Knew (What A Queen Was Like)
B5 Magic Muffin
B6 Hail Tommy McCook
B7 Oh Baby