Festivarians–
I always know I can turn to you for musical input/knowledge far and wide, and I’m hoping you can help me fix my ignorance about a certain type of music.
I was listening to public radio the other day and heard a few tracks that were clearly reggae, but unlike the more mainstream type of reggae (Marley, etc.) the songs were instrumental and horn-driven, almost like jazz in that way. It sounded vintage, as in – it didn’t sound like a new recording.
I really dig this style and was hoping to explore it a bit more, but I’m not sure what to call it.
Can anyone help?
Thanks in advance-
Zack
I have no idea, but now I want to know as well.
Very likely you heard some Ska music from the Skatelites, a very popular band that started in the 60’s and is still recording. Mento evolved in Jamaica about the same time as calypso, then ska followed mento, then rock-steady, then reggae.
Ska has undergone a few waves of popularity over the decades, like The English Beat and Madness days, most recently combined with punk with bands like Fishbone and No Doubt.
The old school ska you probably heard is a long way from these bands, of course, kind of like Trampled by Turtles is a long way from Bill Monroe.
It’s all good!
Not sure if this will be close to what you heard on NPR, but a few of my favorite albums that highlight instrumentals are dub reggae:
Groundation: Dub Wars
10 Foot Ganja Plant (all albums are fantastic)
John Brown’s Body: Among Them & This Day - others are good too
Burning Spear has a great horn section, this is a nice album: Live at Montreux Jazz Festival
Good call; I think the Skatalites will do the trick as a starting spot – check out the older stuff!
Thanks for all the help!
