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Without The Skatalites, there would be no ska! We all owe our thanks and respect to this band. This dvd is an awesome time piece of this historical band. Not only are there 2 shows on here, one from 1997 and one from 2002, but there are some great bonus features included. There is a 'History' featurette which gives a year-by-year run-down of the group's achievements since it was first formed. A discography. Then a featurette 'On Tour With The Skatalites' which is a documentary film showing the group rehearsing, warming up and playing on stage. Several of the members of the band, both old and new, talk about themselves, how they joined the band, their music and The Skatalites career and history. Finally there is a photo slideshow.

The Skatalites have been producing music of the finest caliber for over fifty years, either as a group or individually as players on countless reggae and ska classics. The two performances making up this DVD, filmed at the Lokersee Festival in Belgium in 1997 and 2002, are clear evidence of their brilliance. Formed in Jamaica in 1964 by several of the island's finest session musicians, The Skatalites' unique fusion of boogie-woogie, R&B, Jazz, mento, calypso and African rhythms introduced the World to ska, which in turn evolved into today's modern reggae sound. The original group broke up in 1965 after a short eighteen months of existence, leaving its members to pursue solo careers for a number of years. Their recording of 'Guns Of Navarone' even made the U.K. singles charts in 1967, becoming one of the first-ever ska hits. The group reformed for the first time in 1975 and several times again in the years since, playing concerts throughout the world and recording a series of critically-acclaimed albums - they were Grammy Award-nominated in both 1996 and 1997 for best reggae album. Not surprising for a group of its size and longevity, The Skatalites has seen a number of personnel changes over the years, yet has always maintained its superb level of musicianship and has prided itself in carrying on the innovative spirit of the original group.

DVD Specs
Digital 5.1 Surround Sound & 2.0 Dolby Digital
DVD 9 Dual Layer Format
Region FREE NTSC
Aspect Ratio 4:3
Total Running Time 179 Mins. Approx.

Track List 2002 Set 1. Freedom Sound
2. Eastern Standard Time
3. James Bond Theme
4. Guns Of Navarone
5. Can't You See
6. Simmer Down / Turn Your Lamp Down Low
7. Swing Easy
8. El Pussycat
9. The Vow
10. Phoenix City 11. Freedom Sound - Reprise
Track List 1997 Set
1. Freedom Sound
2. Man In The Street
3. Guns Of Navarone
4. El Pussycat
5. James Bond Theme
6. Sugar, Sugar
7. Nice Time
8. Simmer Down / Turn Your Lamp Down Low
9. Rockfort Rock (El Cumbanchero)
10. Latin Goes Ska
11. Phoenix City
12. Freedom Sound - Reprise.