Exclusive: Skatalites Launch ‘Platinum Ska’ Album

Early on, The Skatalites’ music was defined by even-paced drums and off-beat rhythmic guitar and piano, punctuated by lively horns. This provided the template for what became one of Jamaica’s most unique and recognizable contributions to world music, as once the tempo was slowed down and melodic vocals were added, the new subgenre of rocksteady was born, and that would soon evolve into reggae.

The new music is everything you would expect from a group that carries on the title The Skatalites. Platinum Ska features tons of danceable beats, world-class horn work and vocals from the lone remaining original member, singer Doreen Shaffer, though most of the tracks are instrumentals.

The first nine tracks on the album are straight-up ska songs, most of which are pretty fast-paced. The second half of the album features “Dub” versions of the music, which uses alternate production techniques and different arrangements of the tunes.

Check out the full album below:

One more Los Angeles date has been added for the Skatalites since we last shared the touring schedule. That gig will be at the Echoplex on Sept. 28. The band also appears on Flogging Molly’s Echoplex next March.

Here is the full plan for 2016:

Sept. 9 – Worcester, Mass., Electric Haze
Sept. 10 – New York, N.Y., American Beauty N.Y.C
Sept. 11 – Philadelphia, Pa., Underground Arts
Sept. 13 – Washington, DC, Rock And Roll Hotel
Sept. 15 – Chicago, Ill., Reggies Rock Club
Sept. 16 – Minneapolis, Minn., Cedar Cultural Center
Sept. 17 – Lincoln, Neb., Bourbon Theatre
Sept. 18 – Wichita, Kan., Barleycorn’s
Sept. 20 – Boulder, Colo., Fox Theatre
Sept. 21 – Albuquerque, N.M., The Co-Op
Sept. 22 – Flagstaff, Ariz., The Green Room
Sept. 23 – Phoenix, Ariz., Valley Bar
Sept. 24 – San Diego, Calif., The Casbah
Sept. 25 – Hermosa Beach, Calif., Saint Rocke
Sept. 27 – Santa Barbara, Calif., Soho Restaurant & Music Club
Sept. 28 – Los Angeles, Calif., The Echoplex
Sept. 29 – San Francisco, Calif., Rickshaw Stop
Sept. 30 – Fresno, Calif., Strummer’s
Oct. 1 – San Jose, Calif., The Ritz
Oct. 4 – Hong Kong, China, Hang Out
Oct. 5 – Osaka, Japan, Club Quattro
Oct. 6 – Nagoya, Japan, Club Quattro
Oct. 8 – Tokyo, Japan, Club Quattro
Oct. 9 – Shizuoka, Japan, Asagiri Jam
Oct. 13 – San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Steel Metal Bunker
Oct. 14 – Monterrey, Mexico, Explanada Sultanes
Oct. 16 – Guadalajara, Mexico, C3
Nov. 17 – Birmingham, England, Hare & Hounds
Nov. 18 – Manchester, England, Club Academy
Nov. 19 – Edinburgh, Scotland, The Liquid Room
Nov. 20 – Leeds, England, Wardrobe
Nov. 21 – London, England, Under The Bridge
Nov. 22 – Bristol, England, Bristol Fleece

Tickets to the shows are on sale now. Skatalites.com has more on the champions of ska.