Sixteen ska instrumentals from the genre's peak era (1963-66), including sides by
Roland Alphonso,
Duke Reid,
Tommy McCook, and Baba Brooks. When you get to this level of ska reissues, it's kind of like reviewing '60s garage compilations. If you love the style and have an insatiable thirst for more, you'll like this record. If you want the best ska, there are better compilations to start with first, and this disc might sound kind of monotonous. Nevertheless, it's perky, enjoyable music, and the liner notes actually contain some information about dates, musicians, and so forth (not always a given on ska reissues). ~ Richie Unterberger