007 SHANTY TOWN

Description

Desmond Dekker recorded some of his best-known tracks with his backing band, the Aces (composed of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard). Their debut album, 007 Shanty Town, includes the eponymous single which made him the first international superstar of Jamaican music, reaching 14th place in the UK charts. You'll hear how mid-60s ska evolved into rocksteady. The lyrics are inspired by calypso-mento, a musical method that addresses current events. Thus, with an irresistible groove, Desmond, James, and Barry (the Aces) portray love, politics, cantankerous women, the 5th anniversary of independence, and gang wars. This is how it all began before Desmond became an international star, famous for hits like "Israelites" (1968) and "It Miek" (1969).