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Best Of Ska: Rock Steady & Reggae, Vol. 1
Byron Lee & Dragonaires
Best Of Ska: Rock Steady & Reggae, Vol. 1
Genres: Alternative Rock, International Music, Pop, Latin Music
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

Having single-handedly raised soca's quotient in reggae-ruled Jamaica, the hard-working and resourceful Byron Lee now casts his eye at the most "skalicious" tunes of the '60s, covering everything in this set from Millie Sm...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Byron Lee & Dragonaires
Title: Best Of Ska: Rock Steady & Reggae, Vol. 1
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Eclipse Music Group
Release Date: 10/28/1997
Genres: Alternative Rock, International Music, Pop, Latin Music
Styles: Ska, Caribbean & Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad, Soca, Reggae
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 078736478226, 078736478240

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Having single-handedly raised soca's quotient in reggae-ruled Jamaica, the hard-working and resourceful Byron Lee now casts his eye at the most "skalicious" tunes of the '60s, covering everything in this set from Millie Small's "My Boy Lollipop," Jamaica's first international smash hit, to Bob Marley's reggae love anthem, "No Woman No Cry." This selection does speak to Lee's impeccable taste. Prince Buster's "Oh Carolina" has enjoyed at least nine lives at the hands of various artists, including through Shaggy's funkified treatment. "Carry Go Bring Come," originally recorded by its writer, Justin Hinds, with the Dominos, is a paradigm of ska's cheerful shuffle, instrumental chaos, and jaunty horn sections counterpointing a sour social message--in this case, aimed at the wife of Jamaica's first prime minister, Lady Bustamante. "Cherry Oh Baby" is one of ska's most persuasive musical seductions. The overview provided by Lee's interpretations of these golden nuggets shows Jamaican music in the early '60s finding its own voice and expression, and while he and his band deliver crisp renditions, this collection should send listeners scurrying for compilations featuring the tunes as recorded by the original artists. --Elena Oumano

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CD Reviews

Mediocre to Poor
04/01/1999
(2 out of 5 stars)

"This CD lacks any punch. Byron Lee & the Dragonaires have the sound of a cocktail lounge house band. Tolorable but not anthing to go out of your way for. This particular Byron Lee aulbum actually includes the the "& Friends" in the title which combined with "Ska-Rock Steady" induced me to give it them another try. In this case "Friends" were often worse then Byron Lee. For example the first track "My Boy Lillypop" features Spencer, Roberts and is "screetchy." IT set my nerves on edge. If you want Ska buy Ska, if you want Raggae buy Ska but don't bother with this."