Saturday Hustle – May 21
Ska was highly popular in the late 1950s to 60s, and many Jamaican artistes shot to prominence locally and internationally during this era. Ska is the predecessor to rocksteady and reggae, and is heavily influenced by mento, calypso, jazz and R&B. Today, we’re paying homage to the ska genre with some of our faves.
Bob Marley and The Wailers – Simmer Down
Long time people dem used to sey, wah sweet nanny goat a go run him belly, so simmer down, control yuh temper…
This track was the first single released by Bob Marley and The Wailers in 1963, in which they implored criminals to stop the violence.
Eric ‘Monty’ Morris – Sammy Dead Oh
Many of us grew up singing, “Sammy plant piece o’ corn dung a gully, and it bear till it kill poor Sammy”, not knowing that this song which targeted covetous persons, was the mega-hit that gave Morris his moment on the international stage.
Toots & The Maytals – Sweet and Dandy
Formed in the 1960s, Toots and The Maytals are still one of the best-known ska groups coming out of Jamaica. Little wonder their track Sweet and Dandy was featured on Jamaica Ska Core – Best of Ska in 2004, as well as the 1972 soundtrack for The Harder They Come.
The Ska Kings – Jamaica Ska
One of the early pioneers of Jamaican music, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires released their ska records under a different name, The Ska Kings. This track grew extremely popular because it featured the moves associated with the genre.
Millie Small – My Boy Lollipop
One of the biggest ska hits ever recorded, this track powered Millie Small to the top of the charts as the song became a household ska favourite in the UK, US and a number of European countries.
Folkes Brothers – Oh Carolina
Definitely a ska favourite, Oh Carolina has a feel-good vibe that never fails to get people moving. The track, which was recorded by John, Mico and Junior Folkes and produced by Prince Buster in 1960, was a major hit. It was later covered by dancehall artiste Shaggy for his album Pure Pleasure.