The Skatalites Album: “Hog in a Cocoa”

The perfect antidote to the idea that the whitened, insipid, post-Two-Tone dreck masquerading as "ska" nowadays is even close to being worthy of the name. This is the pure sound of early 60's Jamaica - it swings, it captivates, and most of all it conveys real feeling. Genuine ska is among the most uplifting of musical forms and here it is purveyed by the masters such as Justin Hines, The Maytals and, of course, the *only* ska band worthy of the name : The Skatalites.

Buy it.

This is an inspired lp from the always trustworthy Skatellites, and for me to not singularly praise them for what they do would be treason.

Fans will like the fact that Stranger Cole, the Maytals, the Dominoes, the Techniques, and Baba Brooks are among the guests on the lp, as well as the fact that the music, as always, is top rate.

Another excellent effort from the kings of ska, with more than a little help from their ska and rocksteady friends.

This CD is great! I'm rocking back and forth to each song and swooning to love duets of Stranger and Patsy & Baba Brooks "Yea Yea Yea Baby". Skatalites recorded the best ska music. Sadly their fame lasted two years and founding member Don Drummund killed his girlfriend Marguerite, also a singer, and then later killed himself in an institution in 1969. They leave their legacy of great hits for us enthusiasts of Jamaican music.