miko2

Today's Song: The Guns of Navarone by the Skatalites

Based on my limited research of the evening, I present for you one of the earliest of Jamaican ska bands with one of their biggest hits -- a true ska anthem by the Skatalites. Before there was reggae, before there was rocksteady, before there was dub and dancehall and whatever other Jamaican music styles that have followed, there was ska, and the Skatalites were one of ska's earliest pioneers.

It should be noted that the rise of ska coincided with Jamaica gaining independence in 1962. Several ska band celebrated this in song, so I've also included "Forward March" by Derrick Morgan and "Freedom Sound" by the Skalites, both of which celebrate Jamaican independence. Lastly, there's a nice cover of Guns of Navarone by the Specials, a 2 Tone ska band from England that