The Skatalites are a group who were one of the key forces in Jamaican music in the 60s – a crack ensemble of musicians who really helped the scene in Kingston break strongly from other Caribbean cities at the time – finding a groove that would forever set the path towards rocksteady and reggae for years to come! And sure, there's been plenty of lame music out there with "ska" in the name in later decades – but these guys are the first, the best, and the real deal all the way through – thanks to superb work on trombone from Don Drummond, saxes from Roland Alphonso and Tommy McCook – and even a bit of organ from a young Jackie Mittoo! The package brings together loads of great early cuts that show the group at their best in a variety of ways – issued under the name of the Skatalites, or some of its key members – and the 2CD set features 50 titles that include "Latin Goes Ska", "
Vitamin A", "Music Is My Occupation", "Cool Smoke", "Mesopotamia", "Thoroughfare", "Feeling Fine", "Corner Stone", "Knockout Punch", "Doctor Dekker", "Alipang", "Rocket Ship", "Street Corner", "Don De Lion", and "JFK's Memory".