The Skatalites

2024 marks the 60th Anniversary of The Skatalites. The original members played on hundreds of recording sessions before forming the band in 1964.  Backing most of the vocalists in Jamaica at that time, including Bob Marley, Toots and The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe and many more The Skatalites secured their place in musical history early on. After disbanding in 1965 the individual members continued playing in various groups as the music evolved from ska to rocksteady to reggae.

In 1983 The Skatalites reunited to play Reggae Sunsplash in Montego Bay and subsequently in London at The Crystal Palace for the U.K version of The Sunsplash event. A few years later they began emigrating to the U.S.A and in 1986 the first US shows began at The Village Gate in NYC. The band supported Bunny Wailer on The Liberation Tour in 1989 and followed it up in 1990 embarking on their first-ever headline tour of The U.S.A.  The Skatalites have not stopped touring the world ever since and continue to be available for festivals, casinos, and intimate venue settings. Their unique infectious brand of authentic Jamaican ska excites audiences of all ages across the globe year after year.

“We hope you will enjoy listening to our music as much as we enjoy performing it for you.”

Top Shotta Band featuring Screechy Dan is New York City's top live Jamaican foundation ska / reggae act. Based out of Flatbush, Brooklyn, and led by veteran trumpeter / producer / sound system operator / video director Mush1 (formerly of The Slackers & Murphy's Law, & currently of Al Paragus HQ studios / When Dance Was Nice, as well as Hungry March Band), Top Shotta Band features a 4-piece horn section, a full 4-person riddum section, as well as the inimitable Screechy Dan [original Shaggy/Big Yard/Vital Crew Posse] on vocals.  With a powerful, soaring, and versatile vocal style, Screechy Dan is a legendary and iconic singer, toaster, and MC, who has been releasing music since 1985. Screechy Dan’s vocal stylings seamlessly channel the essence of R&B/soul greats such as Frankie Lymon and Otis Reading, as well as Jamaican deejay toasting and hip-hop.

Unlike many pop-oriented acts, Top Shotta Band’s live shows can stretch from straight-forward foundation ska and reggae, to improvised horns solos, to experimental and psychedelic dub.  Each of these paths serve as a launching pad for Screechy Dan’s vocals, with an almost unlimited palette of musical colors for the band to create with.

Top Shotta Band featuring Screechy Dan are currently supporting their second full-length LP, ‘Spread Love”, released on the Liquidator Music label. With this LP, Mush1 returns to his musical roots and first love, foundation ska music, with a collection of all original material penned by living icon Screechy Dan and the band. In these times of uncertainty and rising tensions, Screechy Dan and the crew bring an uplifting, positive message through love songs, and the belief in the underlying good of humanity. Staying true to the sound of famed studios such as Studio 1, WIRL, and Treasure Isle, the rhythm section was recorded live all in the same room around 1 microphone direct to tape, giving the music an intimate and rootsy vibe. The Spread Love LP is also being supported by a pair of music videos (Spread Love / Cool and Deadly, and What’s On Your Mind), as well as a 7” vinyl single Spread Love / Cool and Deadly). People are already calling it “the greatest LP of foundation ska music ever made outside of 1960’s Jamaica” !

For more information: @topshottaband #topshottaband