i saw the ska thread, but i'm wondering - lots of the bands listed on that thread seemed to be modern ska. i'm looking for reggae ska... like, pre-reggae stuff, with some reggae sounds... y'know, love songs n stuff..
The Skatalites were the biggest Ska band in Jamaica for a very long time. They backed Bob Marley & The Wailin' Wailers on their work at Studio 1, which was also Ska.
Ya first wave ska is kick ass, here are some more bands, toots and the maytals, Prince Buster. If you want heres some bands that sound first wave but are currently playing...the slakers, the makeshift heroes. thats all i can think of now.
No im pretty sure they were just the studio band of bob marley, it had nothing to do with the wailers, the skatalites were an instrumental studio band, playing for whoever wants to sing.
skatalites were the house band at studio one wailers recorded a lot of ska there for sir coxsone skatalites play on those they were outstanding musicians - tommy mccook, roland alphonso, DON DRUMMOND, jackie mittoo, many other greats come from them [don drummond rules!]
Carlos Malcolm and his Afro Jamaican Rhythms - This band has always been overlooked but some of the greatest pre-reggae ska music came from them. Roland Alphonso actually played tenor sax in Carlos' band. Get a whole lot of information on ska at www.carlosmalcolm.com
the carlos malcolm site crashed my browser will try again, i seem to remember a cd at ernie b's that was $23 or so, maybe skamania, and maybe carlos sells it for less? [my computer is very old and primitive, like ska itself]
Try the Slickers, Blues Busters. There is a radio station playing nothing but early reggae and ska - http://www.rootsrockreggae.com.jm/
there a series of Cd's that you can download, its called the history of jamacian music, it takes you right from the early 50's to the 80's. Its amazing to hear the music take form through the ages!