VA - Deep Ska: 80 Original Ska Classics (1999)

Deep Ska: 80 Original Ska Classics Review by Jo-Ann Greene
This compilation should have been subtitled "Duke Reid: The Early Years," as the four-CD box set is drawn exclusively from the great producer's archives. Half the set, interestingly enough, comprises instrumentals, the great majority courtesy of the Skatalites, although Baba Brooks and Drumbago are also well represented. Even a few U.K. groups get to strut their stuff; the Pyramids, Rico Rodiguez' All Stars, and Blue Rivers & the Maroons all put in an appearance. And so boogies, big band swing, and R&B surge out from the grooves, as hit after instrumental classic stream by, interspersed by the vocal tracks. Of the singers, the fabulous Justin Hinds & the Dominoes grab the lion's share of attention, while the smooth Stranger Cole is also highlighted, either on his own or partnered with Patsy Todd. A myriad of other vocal duos are also showcased. The box is nicely split between legendary hits and equally worthy, but lesser-known numbers, a boon for general fans and collectors alike. A 23-page booklet is also included, giving a detailed history of ska, with particular emphasis on the Skatalites' integral contribution to the genre, and also providing a wealth of information on the other artists and the songs themselves. The excellent booklet was written by Joop Visser, who obviously knows his ska, which means he runs into problems with the fourth disc, where a few rocksteady and reggae numbers creep in. But that's not his fault, and these handful of gaffes aside, Deep Ska lives up to its title, almost four hours of exuberant classic ska.

CD1
[3:01] 1. Stranger Cole - Rough And Tough
[3:04] 2. The Skatalites - Latin Goes Ska
[2:31] 3. Eric Morris - Penny Reel
[2:27] 4. Tommy McCook - Strolling In
[2:46] 5. Justin Hinds & The Dominoes - Carry Go Bring Home
[3:14] 6. Roland Alphonso - Yard Broom
[2:26] 7. The Dreamlets - Really Now
[2:32] 8. Don Drummond - Corner Stone
[2:44] 9. Shenley Duffus - Rukumbine
[2:46] 10. Duke Reid Group - Rude Boy
[2:10] 11. Clive And Anaomi - Open The Door
[3:03] 12. Baba Brooks - Musical Communion
[2:27] 13. Justin Hinds & The Dominoes - Corner Stone
[2:39] 14. Drumbago All Stars - Duck Soup
[2:30] 15. Owen + Leon Silvera - Next Door Neighbour
[2:53] 16. The Skatalites - Lucky Seven
[3:17] 17. Stranger & Patsy - When I Call Your Name
[3:17] 18. Tommy McCook & Lester Sterling - Inez
[2:49] 19. Duke Reid - Night Food
[3:07] 20. Don Drummond - Eastern Standard Time

CD2
[3:05] 1. The Skatalites - Twelve Minutes To Go
[2:41] 2. Derrick & Patsy - Housewife's Choice
[2:56] 3. Tommy McCook & The Skatalites - Silver Dollar
[2:29] 4. Justin Hinds & The Dominoes - Here I Stand
[2:59] 5. Don Drummond - Burning Touch
[2:36] 6. Eric Morris & Baba Brooks - Samson
[2:56] 7. Roland Alphonso - Feeling Fine
[2:31] 8. Dottie & Bunnie Featuring Don Drummond - Dearest
[2:12] 9. Baba Brooks - River Bank, Pt. 1
[2:27] 10. Stranger Cole - We're Rolling
[2:56] 11. Baba Brooks - River Bank, Pt 2
[2:05] 12. Clive And Naomi - You Are Mine
[2:27] 13. Duke Reid Group - Duke's Cookies
[2:12] 14. Justin Hinds & The Dominoes - Botheration
[2:37] 15. Tommy McCook & The Skatalites - Magic
[2:20] 16. Stranger & Patsy - Hog In Cocoa
[2:49] 17. Roland Alphonso - Sandy Gully
[2:46] 18. Dottie And Bunny - Foul Play
[2:08] 19. Don Drummond - Dan De Lion
[3:12] 20. Margarita - Woman A Come

CD3
[3:01] 1. Justin Hinds & The Dominoes - The Higher The Monkey Climbs
[3:04] 2. The Skatalites - Street Corner
[2:29] 3. Stranger Cole,The Techniques, Baba Brooks - Run Joe
[3:06] 4. Roland Alphonso - James Bond
[2:31] 5. Dottie And Bunny - The Sun Rises
[2:56] 6. Don Drummond - Apanga
[2:35] 7. Eris Morris & The Duke Reid Group - What A Man Doeth
[2:42] 8. Baba Brooks - The Clock
[2:44] 9. Stranger Cole & Lester Sterling - Bangarang
[2:25] 10. Tommy McCook - Musical Store Room
[3:05] 11. Stranger &d Patsy - Hey, Hey Baby
[2:52] 12. Don Drummond & Baba Brooks - Dr. Decker
[2:22] 13. Justin Hinds & The Dominoes - Over The River
[3:11] 14. Duke Reid Group - What Makes Honey
[3:00] 15. The Pyramids - Prisoner Of Alcatraz
[2:44] 16. Roland Alphonso - You Can Depend On Me
[2:05] 17. Toots & The Maytals - John James
[4:16] 18. Rico Rodriguez All Stars - Luke Lane Shuffle
[2:18] 19. Byron Lee & The Dragonaires - Oh Carolina
[4:04] 20. The Skatalites - Independance Anniversary Ska

CD4
[2:48] 1. Roland Alphonso - Blackberry Brandy
[3:19] 2. Blue Rivers And The Maroons - Guns Of Navarone
[2:58] 3. Don Drummond - Occupation
[2:50] 4. Justin Hinds with Baba Brooks & Drumbago - Jordan River
[4:02] 5. The Skatalites - Green Island
[3:45] 6. Toots & The Maytals - Monkey Man
[3:05] 7. Tommy McCook - Cotton Tree
[2:39] 8. The Ethiopians - Everything Crash
[2:53] 9. Baba Brooks - Twilight Zone
[2:17] 10. Nora Dean - Oh Mama
[3:09] 11. Duke Reid Group - Joker
[2:32] 12. The Pyramids - Jesse James Rides Again
[2:45] 13. John Holt - The Tide Is High
[2:41] 14. Laurel Aitken - The Ska Is The Limit
[3:11] 15. Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 That's My Number
[4:00] 16. Rico Rodriguez All Stars - Bridge View Shuffle
[3:05] 17. Pat Kelly - Somebody's Baby
[2:29] 18. The Pyramids - Shotgun
[3:01] 19. Don Drummond - Thoroughfare
[2:43] 20. Desmond Dekker - 007