Ska Shots / Various

On August 5th 1962, after 300 years of British rule, which had soaked the earth of the island in blood, Jamaica was finally independent. The country that the British left behind was certainly a place of widespread poverty and deep inequality, but there seems to have been a real burst of confidence that came with independence. Newsreels of the day show well-dressed crowds reacting with enthusiasm and excitement, and the era found it's perfect soundtrack in the boldness and exuberance of ska music, which was erupting all over the island. This optimistic mood found probably it's greatest artistic expression in the music of the Skatalites, who formed in June 1964 as a kind of Jamaican supergroup. Justin 'Philip' Yap was a young, upcoming producer who had used members of the Skatalites for his first tunes, recorded either at RJR (Radio Jamaica and Redifussion) or at Federal studios. Studio One opened just in time to catch the formation of the Skatalites, and is where Justin recorded most of his classic Skatalites sides. He also recorded lots of excellent instrumentals with a smaller brass section, still mainly using members of the Skatalites, but crediting instead the composer or arranger of the tune. Combined with Coxsone's own recordings, these productions for Justin's Top Deck and Tuneico labels really captured the members of the Skatalites at their magnificent best in the unique atmosphere of Studio One. Musicians include: Drums Lloyd Knibbs / Bass Lloyd Brevett / Guitar Harold McKenzie, Joshua Rosen, Jerome 'Jah Jerry' Haynes, Lynn Taitt /Piano Jackie Mittoo, Gladstone Anderson / Trombone Don Drummond, Ron Wilson / Alto Saxophone Lester Sterling /Tenor Saxophone Roland Alphonso, Dennis 'Ska' Campbell, Tommy McCook / Trumpet Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore, Raymond Harper, Oswald 'Baba' Brooks / Percussion Noel 'Scully' Simms Recorded at Studio One, JBC Studio and Federal Studio, Kingston Jamaica