Heartbeat's 2-disc Skatalites collection. It's hard to overstate the historical importance of this band. Better-than-usual sound quality leaves classic cuts like "Addis Ababa" sounding great.

Trojan's big two-disc collection of trombone man Rico Rodriguez's early singles from1961-1971. Joyous, rough-and-tumble ska and rocksteady. Often jazzy, frequently bluesy, and always skanky.

Fantastic 1969 rocksteady LP is expanded w/ extra tracks, and taken from what may be the master tapes. The music bridges the ska/rocksteady/reggae gap with nice full sound quality. Features the talents of Winston Wright, Lloyd Knibbs, Bobby Ellis, Lloyd Brevett, Jackie Mittoo, Sly & Robbie, Lyn Tate, Chinna Smith & others.

From Trojan, a classic selection of instrumental Jamaican tunes! Perhaps one of the first such CDs. Compiled by the great Steve Barrow, who would go on to create the spectacular Blood & Fire label. Not the greatest sound ever, as this was the dawn of JA music on CD, but INDISPENSABLE music.

Sweet deal! A 50 track, 3-disc box from Trojan. Be your own selector with this mini DJ crate of 60s and early 70s instrumentals from the ska/rocksteady/early-reggae years. Many rare gems on this one! Quite killer.

Tied for the #1 spot is Soul Jazz's MIND-BLOWING selection of ecclectic Studio One instrumental sounds, with ska, rocksteady, early reggae mixed with jazz, funk & soul. Among the upbeat grooves are some amazing minor-chord numbers. Exceptional and transcendant.

A collector-oriented set of funky late-60s tunes and rhythms from this hugely influential Jackie Mittoo-led Studio One house band. Cedric Brooks, Vin Gordon, Ernest Ranglin, Leroy Sibbles and more...

Essential. Super groovy, soulful and jazzy B3 organ instrumentals from the man, Jackie Mittoo, who was so instrumental in the development of ska, rocksteady and reggae. Classic Studio One greatness, and so timelessly HIP. Sound quality is great as well. Also look for Jackie's killer LP "Macka Fat" on Studio One, for more tasty grooves.

Chilled-out and laid-back summer organ grooves for when happy, mellow skanking is required. The Upsetters were Lee "Scratch" Perry's house band, of course. Great stuff, and good sound quality from Heartbeat records.

From Heartbeat; Niney produced instrumentals & dubs. Fine, funky stuff with McCook, Bobby Ellis, Ansel Collins, Chinna Smith, Bongo Herman, Dillinger, Vin Gordon, Sly Dunbar & others. Despite the title, it's actually a very well balanced and satisfying set. Recommended.

Represents 3 LPs of dubs & instrumentals. The dubs are a bit sparse, but the first set has a few nice Augustus Pablo instrumentals, and the third set is actually a pretty good album of trombone instrumentals by the great Vin Gordon.

From sax player Cedric Brooks; eclectic 1970s-style soul/funk/mento/jazz/African/Jamaican mix. There are chanting vocals on a few tracks. Honestly...it's one of the greatest Jamaican albums of all time.

Two 70s instrumental albums from Jamaican sax legend Tommy McCook, courtesy of Blood & Fire records. Recorded in conjunction with Yabby You and King Tubby. Also features the great Bobby Ellis on trumpet.

Pressure Sounds' ultimate masterpiece; rare Augustus Pablo singles, including mind-melting instrumental versions of rhythms dubbed on the famous "King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown" LP. Amazing previously rare stuff. Quite simply the finest Augustus Pablo compilation.