Audio By Carbonatix
When legendary Studio One producer Clement “Sir Coxsone” Dodd died in 2004, he left behind a real legacy: Ska, widely considered to be the first truly Jamaican music, was among his most enduring creations. To pioneer the style — which combines the understated rhythms of 1960s R&B, jazzy horn sections designed to accentuate the rhythm (not overwhelm it, as most modern ska acts are apt to do), boogie-woogie blues, calypso and a percussive yet mellow island vibe — Dodd gathered together the musicians who wound up forming the Skatalites in 1963. Despite its reputation for promoting the “wrong” rhythm — the beat fell on the off second and fourth notes — ska developed into a happy, carefree style that caught fire in the dance halls and with sound-system DJs. The Skatalites rose to the very top of the scene, and their first hit, “The Guns of Navarone,” remains a classic. Although ska soon gave way to rock steady and reggae, the Skatalites preserve a vital part of Jamaican culture.
When news happens, Westword is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $50,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to this community. If Westword matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
