 | Ultimate Ska Classics by Various Artists
Buy used from: $22.29 There are a plethora of compilations out there but for the true Ska newbie, this gives you a mix of Ska's 1st and 2nd Waves. This is as good a place to start as any.
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 | Guns of Navarone: The Best of the Skatalites by The Skatalites
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $8.99 If you don't dig the Skatalites, you don't dig Ska. If you already like them, skip this and start trackign down the original albums. For the novice, start here.
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 | The Specials by The Specials
Buy used from: $1.97 Skip looking for the "Best ofs..." and just start with this one. The Specials were to the 2nd Wave of Ska what the Skatalites were to the first. One of the best Ska albums ever made...period.
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 | Dub 56 by The Toasters
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $1.99 The Toasters really crapped it up into the late 90's but this album stands as their magnum opus. Big horns, well produced and includes a good number of memorable tracks.
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 | Thrill Me Up by The Toasters
Buy used from: $6.96 My second favorite Toasters album and certainly more 2nd Wave than DUB 56. This may be a favorite for those who enjoy a less brassy sound.
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 | Pietasters: 1992-1996
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $15.49 Before they went psuedo-commercial The Pietasters were the finest blenders of Soul and Ska out there. This collection chronicles their magnificent first two releases plus tons of rare material.
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 | Ska in Hi-Fi by The Scofflaws
Buy used from: $4.66 The Scofflaws were, are and always will be the best retro-Ska band around. These captured like no other the original soul of Ska in a modern context.
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 | The Scofflaws by The Scofflaws
Buy used from: $1.96 If you love SKA IN HI-FI then you need to own their debut as well. Not quite as good as their sophomore effort but far beyond their contemporaries just the same.
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 | Out of Nowhere by Hepcat
Buy used from: $3.99 Next to The Scofflaws these guys captured the soul of the 1st Wave with skilled horn playing and great retro beats.
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 | Beat This: The Best of the English Beat by The English Beat
Buy new: $8.97 / Used from: $5.36 The Specials' contemporaries during the 2nd Wave. This collection chronicles the transition from Ska revival to 80's pop that most of the original acts tended to follow.
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 | The Selecter - Greatest Hits by The Selecter
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $4.72 Another Ska revival band that turned 80's pop. Their songwriting never waned terribly even if their dedication to the Ska genre did.
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 | Ultimate Collection by Madness
Buy new: $10.97 / Used from: $6.08 Alright, one last 2nd Wave act that turned 80's pop. Everybody loves "Our House" but there half a dozen songs that are twice as good on here.
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 | Anthology: Israelites 1963-1999 by Desmond Dekker
Buy used from: $39.78 Decker's career is one that chronicles the transition of original Jamaican Ska into Rocksteady and Reggae...and then back again. If you don't dig Decker, you don't understand Ska.
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![Prince Buster - Fabulous Greatest Hits [Diamond Range]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/3120YRV143L._SL75_.jpg) | Prince Buster - Fabulous Greatest Hits [Diamond Range] by Prince Buster
Buy used from: $22.99 The original dirty man of Ska who came to be revered heavily during the 2nd Wave. The lack of P.C. just adds to the fun.
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 | The Legendary Judge Dread by Judge Dread
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $15.99 From pro-wrestler to world record holder for the most banned records, Judge Dread took the Prince Buster project and ran with it like only he could. "Up With The Cock" will never be topped.
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