Sunday Morning Music: Early Ska Selections

About 14 years ago I began listening to early ska and the roots of reggae. We're talking about very different music than people think of nowadays when we say ska/reggae. In the mid to late '60s, groups in Jamaica began recording pop (and original) songs with a soulful, downbeat twist. It's reminiscent of Motown, but a different frequency.

Many years later, these songs have been re-recorded. A good example is "The Tide is High" by John Holt.



Or 1963's Simmer Down by the Wailing Wailers. Truth be told, I prefer the early band over the later Bob Marley work.



Here's my all time fave by the Wailing Wailers - an excellent take on "Do You Love Me"



There is also another offshoot of early ska called Rocksteady. I have an insane Rocksteady list on iTunes if you ever want to check it out. Do I get a red cent out of it? Nah. iTunes doesn't need to pay me in order to make money. Evil geniuses...