In 1983 Herbie Miller, manager of Peter Tosh brought the original Skatalite… Read Full Bio ↴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!
Press
"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
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!
Press
"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
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Stretching Out
The Skatalites Lyrics
Big Trombone There was a man, he stood alone, Clutching in his hands,…
Confucius When you can walk a mile into my shoe Criticize me…
Freedom Sounds Here we are face to face and greeting on and…
Mood for Ska I'm in the mood for ska Simply because you're near me Funny…