First Wave Ska and Rocksteady




Rocksteady is the short-lived transitional genre between ska, a hybrid of traditional Jamaican folk syncopation and the influence of the American pop imports that were gracing the turntable platters in dancehalls around the island during the late 50's to early 60's, and roots reggae, made popular by the legendary Bob Marley among many others.

The defining characteristics of rocksteady can be quite ambiguous and often harbor many of the same elements as ska, its predecessor, which are mainly simple frenetic guitar rhythms and progressions, a consistent but offbeat syncopated rhythm section, and less reliance on horn melodies. Rocksteady also tends to have a slower 'steadier" tempo than ska and is more heavily influenced by the American R&B and soul releases that were reaching the island and becoming increasingly popular in dance halls at the time. Although rocksteady as a genre was particularly short-lived, from about 66-70, and quickly evolved into what we know now as roots reggae, it’s influences can be heard throughout the wider reggae genre as a whole.

This is primarily a rocksteady compilation, however there is also some first wave ska thrown into the mix simply because the distinguishing characteristics between the two genres tend to not be somewhat ambiguous at times and not completely mutually exclusive, which can sometimes make the music hard to classify. As any enthusiast of the genre will attest to, most of the rocksteady that you’ll find in digital format today is fairly obscure and hard to find, with the ubiquitous greatest hits format and genre & label compilations being the easiest way of amassing a good portion of it. If there’s anything you particularly like, give me a holler and I’ll get you sorted.

Alton Ellis - Dance Crasher
The Techniques - I'm in Love
Desmond Dekker - Rude Boy Train
The Melodians - Come on Little Girl
Hopeton Lewis - Take it Easy
Alton Ellis - Something You Got
The Ethiopians - Free Man
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Let Him Go
The Heptones - Pretty Looks Isn't All
Alton Ellis - Shake It
Phyllis Dillon - Don't stay Away
The Paragons - Silver Bird
Reuben Andersen - Wonder No More

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