RE-RELEASE OF
THE FAMOUS ROIR 1986 DOUBLE LENGTH CASSETTE-ONLY, NOW
REMASTERED DIGITALLY FOR DOUBLE CD WITH 5 NEVER BEFORE
RELEASED BONUS TRACKS!
COME YE
REVELERS TO HEAR THE ORIGINAL SKATALITES, IN THEIR PRIME, IN
LONG EXTENDED JAM SESSIONS, RECORDED LIVE IN JAMAICA IN 1983
AT THE BLUE MONK JAZZ GALLERY NIGHTCLUB BEFORE THEIR FRIENDS
AND FELLOW MUSICIANS.
HOW DID THIS
HAPPEN?
In 1983
Herbie Miller, manager of Peter Tosh brought the original
Skatalites (minus the late Don Drummond) back to Jamaica
from all over the world to perform at the 1983 Jamaica
Sunsplash.
The
Skatalites had broken up 18 years earlier, after their short
career of two years (1963-1965). Personal disagreements,
conflicts and animosities had driven these inventors of Ska
and master musicians to seek their own future as individual
artists.
Miller, who
became their manager, owned a nightclub in Kingston, Jamaica
called The Blue Monk Jazz Gallery. Here, after 18 years of
separation they reconciled their differences, (for a time),
and rehearsed for Sunsplash '83 and performed live at the
club before a crowd of local fans, friends, and fellow
musicians.
There were no
restrictions on the length of sets, no barriers on solos or
improvisational experiments, and no recording studio limits
on how long each song should last. They stretched out,
played out, and had a joyous 18th anniversary celebration
and reunion.
Fortunately,
Miller recorded the rehearsals and nightclub performances
and captured for history (and dance - mad Ska mavens) all
the spontaneity, fire, electricity, and good fellowship of
that unique moment. Ska at its best by the greatest Ska
musicians in the world!
"Sounds
better than the 60's studio rarities. We're talking party
soundtrack for lazybones. Bump Bottoms B+" -
Robert Christgau, Christgau's Record Guide To The 80's
"Stretching
Out is a tuneful marvel. 90 minutes (cassette) of a live
reunion. It captures the fire of the bands nine players,
(and three guest horns) as they blaze through "Confucius",
"Lee Harvey Oswald", "Fidel Castro", and 14 other Ska
delights"- FOUR STARS! Rolling Stone Album Guide
"Marathon
Ska blow-out courtesy of ROIR. Fans of The Specials, The
Beat and the entire Ska/Blue Beat revival will find this get
together of the original teachers a treat." NME
U.K.
"Skank
that swings like a cat in a very small space" - Melody Maker U.K.
"Essential.
To hear the original Skatalites and guests running through
some of their best known works in a relaxed live atmosphere
is a real thrill. Many of those red hot three minute "tours
de force" are indeed stretched out, the moody Black Sunday
clocks in at a memorable twelve minutes of fluid textured
improvisational Ska-bop technique" - Black Echoes
U.K.
"The jazz
soloing of Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, and Lester
Sterling on saxes and "Dizzy" Moore on trumpet summon the
spirits of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Dizzy
Gillespie. Yet no other band but the Skatalites merges this
tempestuous improvised blowing with the churning,
dance-crazy beat" - Tom Cheyney, Reggae &
African Beat
"After 20
years the Skatalites reformed and made incendiary
appearances at Jamaica Sunsplash in 1983 and 1984, their
first public appearance in almost 20 years! Always a great
band, but during their short recording career together
(1963-65) they never released any live recordings. The
cassette is a dazzling display of virtuosity in Jamaican
jazz. Fills a big void with a massive musical explosion.
Wild & Loose" - Pulse, Doug Wendt
"This is a
collectors item, treat yourself to some sweet sounds from a
band of the most influential musicians in the history of
reggae. Crucial!" - CMJ New Music Report
"A rave-up
live concert and rehearsal tape from the kings of 60's
Jamaican music. The playing is considerably more energetic
than the vinyl performance at Sunsplash" - World
Report
"Great
party music. Ska is the best!" - Dance Music
Report
"Brings
back the nostalgic joy of the sixties. Captures the
authentic sounds magnificently. A masterpiece" -
Andell Forgie, NY Carib News
"Sterling
work. Jazzy rhythmic back beat skank. Unstoppable dance
music" - Andy Dunkley, RockPool
"Crackles
with extra excitement and electricity from start to finish"
- Reggae Route/Amy Wachtel
