Laurel Aitken & The Skatalites – The Original Cool Jamaican Ska

In 1964, the world was rocking to the sound of ska: Millie’s “My Boy Lollipop” was sweeping the charts and all the major British and American record labels were eager to get on the bandwagon. In such an environment, Decca Records, of London, contacted Rio, the leading independent music company in the West Indies, to license some of their latest singles for a new album featuring the new and exciting sound of Jamaica. The result was essentially a collection of Laurel Aitken songs, along with a few others by the singer’s brother, Bobby, and unknowns, Vic Brown and Alan Martin. Released in the US in London as Original Cool Jamaican Ska, the LP quickly became a collector’s item on both sides of the Atlantic.

A1 Fire
A2 Freedom Train
A3 Peace Perfect Peace
A4 Bad-Minded Woman
A5 Devil Or Angel
A6 You Are My Sunshine
A7 Home Town
B1 Life
B2 Adam And Eve
B3 Mary
B4 Lion Of Judah
B5 Remember My Darling
B6 The Saint
B7 Go Gal Go