Ska

Far from just featuring ska, this collection also takes on rudeboy, rocksteady, and early reggae sides, not to mention a clutch of songs by second-generation ska bands out of England. The mix is packed and the hits are heavy, as the 20-track set goes from vintage fare by the Skatalites ("Guns of Navaronne") to a vocal harmony gem from the Paragons ("The Tide Is High") to post-punk skank by the Specials and the Selector. Most of these sides hit big in England, especially skinhead and club favorites by the Upsetters ("Return of Django"), the Maytals ("Monkey Man"), and Dave and Ansel Collins ("Double Barrel"). An ambitious release that never misses a beat. ~ Stephen Cook

top ska CDs

Carry Go Bring Come: The Anthology - Justin Hinds & The Dominoes +w Justin Hinds: Justin Hinds. Additional personnel: King Sporty, The Supersonics,...  read more

2.  Below The Bassline - Ernest Ranglin +w 3.  Ram Di Dance - Dr. Ring-Ding/Senior All-Stars +w 4.  Laurel Aitken Vs. Ska Titans - Laurel Aitken/The Skatalites +w 5.  Rockin' Steady: The Best of Desmond Dekker - Desmond Dekker +w 6.  Greatest Hits - The Specials +w 7.  Awfully Quiet - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones +w 8.  Ska Bonanza: The Studio One Ska Years - Various Artists +w 9.  Wasted Days - The Slackers +w 10.  The Rhythm Remains the Same: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin - Sly & Robbie +w

top reggae CDs

Legend - Bob Marley & The Wailers +w This remastered version of LEGEND contains a 28 page booklet, and two bonus...  read more

2.  One Love: The Very Best of Bob Marley - Bob Marley & The Wailers +w 3.  Youth - Matisyahu +w 4.  Catch A Fire - Bob Marley & The Wailers +w 5.  Natural Mystic - Bob Marley +w 6.  Pressure Points - John Brown's Body +w 7.  The Essential Bob Marley - Bob Marley +w 8.  Family Time - Ziggy Marley +w 9.  Bob Marley - Bob Marley +w 10.  Best of Peter Tosh 1978-1987 - Peter Tosh +w