What is the difference between ska and rocksteady?

Ska, born in the early 1960s, is fast, driven by horns and offbeat guitar. Rocksteady, which appeared around 1966, slows the tempo, pushes the bass forward and leaves more room for vocals, often in close harmony. It's the bridge between ska and reggae, and many singers moved through all three styles.

What ska records should I start with?

A Skatalites compilation, a Studio One anthology or a Trojan box set gives a good picture of Jamaican ska. Add an Alton Ellis record for rocksteady, then The Specials' debut album for 2 Tone. That covers the genre's three main eras, and third-wave fans can add Operation Ivy.

2 Tone is the label Jerry Dammers founded in Coventry in the late 1970s, and by extension the movement it launched. The Specials, The Selecter, Madness and The Beat revived ska by mixing it with punk energy, an anti-racist message and racially mixed lineups.

Are original Jamaican ska pressings worth buying?

They are true collector's items, but manufacturing quality was often uneven and many copies were played hard. For listening, a period UK pressing or a solid reissue usually sounds better for a much more reasonable price. Compare offers before investing in an original.

Ska / Rocksteady

Before reggae, Jamaica was already grooving to the sounds of ska and rocksteady. Ska, born in the 60s, is characterized by its vibrant brass and upbeat tempo, inspired by American rhythm and blues. A few years later, rocksteady slowed the pace, laying the foundations for what would become reggae.

Artists like The Skatalites, Prince Buster, and Desmond Dekker shaped the history of ska, while Alton Ellis and The Paragons marked the golden age of rocksteady. These styles, often considered the older siblings of reggae, possess an energy and freshness that continue to inspire musicians and listeners.

A universe to rediscover through vinyl pressings, true witnesses to the birth of modern Jamaican music and its irresistible vitality.

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Ska Vinyl Records: From Jamaican Ska and Rocksteady to 2 Tone

Ska and rocksteady records: what's on this page

This selection gathers ska vinyl records and rocksteady: early-1960s Jamaican ska, the slower rocksteady that followed around 1966, and the revivals that came after, from late-1970s British 2 Tone to the ska punk of the 1990s and today. You'll find pioneers like The Skatalites, Desmond Dekker and Ken Boothe, 2 Tone-era bands like The Selecter and Bad Manners, and current acts like The Interrupters. For each record, Vinyles.com compares offers from several partner stores so you can find the edition and price that suit you.

Singles, compilations and reissues: buying ska on vinyl

Ska and rocksteady were first and foremost singles music, made for sound systems. Jamaican originals are rare, fragile and often worn; period UK pressings on Island, Blue Beat or Trojan are easier to find. For listening, compilations are often the best choice: Trojan's themed box sets and Soul Jazz Records' Studio One anthologies gather dozens of tracks with solid notes. Always check the credits, including producer, studio and recording year, to know what you're getting.

Jamaican pressing, UK pressing or reissue
Compilations with credits and liner notes
Condition of heavily played used singles
Producer: Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Leslie Kong

Essential ska and rocksteady artists and labels

Ska took shape in late-1950s Kingston. The Skatalites were its flagship band, with instrumentals like "Guns of Navarone", alongside Prince Buster and Derrick Morgan. Around 1966 the tempo slowed into rocksteady, led by Alton Ellis