Skatalites Take Ska Reggae To Czech Republic

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Skatalites Take Ska Reggae To Czech Republic

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Along with dramatic changes in the weather, autumn this year brings a wealth of first-class world music. Starting this week and continuing into next month, Respect offers a program that includes Guinea Afro-pop royalty Bembeya Jazz, Niger desert blues masters Entran Finatawa, Jamaican favorites the Skatalites, Nigeria’s Afro-pop acolyte Asa and the Oaxacan-born songstress Lila Downs.

As for the Skatalites, it’s safe to say that without them, neither reggae nor what is commonly called “world beat” would be what they are today. At the very root of the reggae recording sessions that first rocked Jamaica in the late ’60s (and then the rest of world) were founding members of this band, one of the Caribbean’s greatest musical gifts to the world.

Fans of ska and reggae won’t need to be reminded of their work with Bob Marley’s Wailers. This year, with concerts ranging from Brazil to Texas to Prague, the Skatalites seem more determined than ever to achieve world domination.

If you like jazz, calypso, reggae or ska, run, don’t walk, to hear their concert.

With all the transcontinental music happening in prague, it’s startling to remember that less than 10 years ago, the city was considered a world-music backwater. It seems the days of borderless global music have arrived — now, if only the planet’s politicians and economists would catch up. In the meantime, there’s no reason to keep your dancing shoes in the closet, especially with bands like the Skatalites, Bembeya Jazz and Entran Finatawa bringing slices of musical heaven to town.

The Reggae News Agency