Powered by a frenzied crowd that seems to have mistaken the show for a World Cup Final, the godfathers of Ska bring the soul of Jamaica to the heart of Latin America. For two nights Teatro Armenio was swingin’. And the heat was captured on tape.
Why all the excitement? Well, back to 1964... Jamaica’s world famous Studio One is in its infancy as is the newly independent nation of Jamaica itself. Spirits are high. The vibe is strong. Jamaica is forging its own foundation and so are The Skatalites. Officially formed in ’64, the musicians who made up the original Skatalites had been playing jazz and calypso together and as a studio band for Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid since the mid-50’s. Their new live release and world tour powerfully reaffirm that they are still hard-bopping Jamaican style some 50 years later.
Early Studio One recordings were the first ‘Skatalites’ songs, including Simmer Down for Bob Marley (his first #1 Jamaican hit). Most releases were first takes; essentially live. The ‘house band’ was, by demand, impeccable. Now, more than 40 years after their first album, The Skatalites break ground with two firsts?their first shows in Argentina and their first self-released album, on Xaymaca Records. "The Skatalites In Orbit (Vol.1); Live from Argentina" was recorded in Buenos Aires on September 23 & 24, 2005. Released March 21, 2006, this CD is the first in a series of live albums.
Jazz and Ska enthusiasts alike will be drawn in by the hard-bop and improv sounds. Full of horns and rhythm, here you have the Jamaican Jazz Messengers. Just as Art Blakeys’ quintessential hard bop ensemble served as a beacon for jazz purists for nearly 40 years, The Skatalites have provided dedicated ska fans with a standard to go by for more than fifty. The bottom line for both bands has always been the same- it’s all about the rhythm.
With a large fan base, but few Latin American shows in the past, recent trips down south have been received extremely well. The rabid fans at Teatro Armenio embody Latin-Ska enthusiasm; chanting before and during the show, even singing lyric-less songs with improvised vocalizations. The excitement is not unique to Argentina. The Skatalites have recently given scores of Mexican and Latin interviews in response to the Putumayo release, "The Caribbean", which features ‘Freedom Sounds’, the opening track from "...In Orbit Vol. 1."
These musicians, even before a coy nod to the space race and a desire to play out live gave them a name, are a rarity... The best the land has to offer have played together for years, helping usher in generations of styles. Ska, Rocksteady, Rude-boy, Reggae, Rockers, Dancehall, Reggaeton... are all children and grandchildren of The Skatalites. "Live from Argentina" invites you to bop, rock and skank as the Skafathers tear it up. Original Doreen Shaffer adds lively vocals on four tracks, recalling the Island soul singers so oft backed by The Skatalites.
The international ‘Orbit’ series serves as a wake up call to any sleepin’ Reggae, Jazz or rhythm fan to blast off with the original Skatalites.
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Why all the excitement? Well, back to 1964... Jamaica’s world famous Studio One is in its infancy as is the newly independent nation of Jamaica itself. Spirits are high. The vibe is strong. Jamaica is forging its own foundation and so are The Skatalites. Officially formed in ’64, the musicians who made up the original Skatalites had been playing jazz and calypso together and as a studio band for Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid since the mid-50’s. Their new live release and world tour powerfully reaffirm that they are still hard-bopping Jamaican style some 50 years later.
Early Studio One recordings were the first ‘Skatalites’ songs, including Simmer Down for Bob Marley (his first #1 Jamaican hit). Most releases were first takes; essentially live. The ‘house band’ was, by demand, impeccable. Now, more than 40 years after their first album, The Skatalites break ground with two firsts?their first shows in Argentina and their first self-released album, on Xaymaca Records. "The Skatalites In Orbit (Vol.1); Live from Argentina" was recorded in Buenos Aires on September 23 & 24, 2005. Released March 21, 2006, this CD is the first in a series of live albums.
Jazz and Ska enthusiasts alike will be drawn in by the hard-bop and improv sounds. Full of horns and rhythm, here you have the Jamaican Jazz Messengers. Just as Art Blakeys’ quintessential hard bop ensemble served as a beacon for jazz purists for nearly 40 years, The Skatalites have provided dedicated ska fans with a standard to go by for more than fifty. The bottom line for both bands has always been the same- it’s all about the rhythm.
With a large fan base, but few Latin American shows in the past, recent trips down south have been received extremely well. The rabid fans at Teatro Armenio embody Latin-Ska enthusiasm; chanting before and during the show, even singing lyric-less songs with improvised vocalizations. The excitement is not unique to Argentina. The Skatalites have recently given scores of Mexican and Latin interviews in response to the Putumayo release, "The Caribbean", which features ‘Freedom Sounds’, the opening track from "...In Orbit Vol. 1."
These musicians, even before a coy nod to the space race and a desire to play out live gave them a name, are a rarity... The best the land has to offer have played together for years, helping usher in generations of styles. Ska, Rocksteady, Rude-boy, Reggae, Rockers, Dancehall, Reggaeton... are all children and grandchildren of The Skatalites. "Live from Argentina" invites you to bop, rock and skank as the Skafathers tear it up. Original Doreen Shaffer adds lively vocals on four tracks, recalling the Island soul singers so oft backed by The Skatalites.
The international ‘Orbit’ series serves as a wake up call to any sleepin’ Reggae, Jazz or rhythm fan to blast off with the original Skatalites.
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Outback Ska