The original version of this landmark album in Jamaican music – a set that's not just a very early showcase for the instrumental talents of the Skatalites, but also the growing wave of new talent coming up on the scene! Unlike later versions, which focus mostly on the Skatalites work – this set also brings equal focus to some key singers – young artists who include Jackie Opel, Delroy Wilson, The Gaylads, The Maytals, and even a young Lee Scratch Perry! Throughout the set, the Skatalites are wonderfully wicked – sharp-edged, and with lots of jazzy inflections – thanks to the work of Tommy McCook and Roland Alphonso on tenors, each of whom also get time in the solo spotlight on the instrumentals – plus the great Don Drummond on trombone, Jackie Mittoo on piano, Jerry Hines on guitar, and Lester Sterling on alto. Titles include "Freedom Sounds", "Brown Skin Girls", "Lee Oswald", "Rolling Down", "Ska Ba", "Sammy Dead", "Wondering Now", and "Turn Your Lamp Down". (Reggae, Soul) CD

A huge collection of rare singles from the vaults of the legendary Treasure Isle label – a company who was home to some of the hippest tracks from the early days of ska – and also did a great job of getting the music to the UK scene as well! This package goes past the familiar Treasure Isle hits, as the 7" singles feature previously unreleased tracks and rare alternate versions – all packaged up in a great box set with a mighty sharp look. The whole thing is great – nice and raw, and very different than ska revival material of later years – and this 3CD set features all the material that was on the 7" box set done a few years back, plus 74 more bonus tracks! Core cuts include "You Wish Me Bad (take 6)" by The Spanishtonians, "Love Me Or Leave Me (take 1)" by Owen & Leon Silvera, "I'm All Alone (take 1)" by Frank Cosmo, "Oh Misery (take 2)" by The Duke Reid Group, "Thinking Of The Future" by Stranger Cole, "Fooling Around" by The Rio Grandes, "Renegade (take 1)" by The Zodiacs, "Smokey Ska (take 1)" by The Baba Brooks Band, "Practice What You Preach" by Owen & Leon Silvera, "My True Confession (take 1)" by The Silvertones, "Til My Dying Day" by Winston & Slim, "Road To Nowhere (orig mix)" by Lyn Taitt & The Baba Brooks Band, "What A Bailing (take 1)" by Duke Reid Group, The Army Is Searching (take 2)" by Basil Caral & Group, "Storm Warning (take 1)" by Lyn Taitt & the Boys, "Want Me Cock (take 1)" by Owen & Leon Silvera, and "How Know Your Friend (take 1)" by Derrick Morgan – with bonus material by Duke Reid, The Movers, Justin Hinds, Tommy McCook, Froggy, Lynn Tait, Eric Morris, Baba Brooks, Lloyd & Glenn, Derrick & Naomi, The Miracles, The Zodiacs, The Melodies, Sensations, and many many more. (Reggae, Soul) CD