The Skatalites - Foundation Ska
(Studio One / Yep Roc)

At this point the Skatalites have assumed legendary status for their foundational recordings with Coxsone Dodd in 1964-1965. They helped make Jamaican music what it is today thanks to the compositions and contributions of Don Drummond, Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, Johnny Moore, Jackie Mittoo, Lloyd Knibbs and Lloyd Brevette. That was the group that recorded all the music on this crucial compilation,Foundation Ska. Included here all the key instrumentals they recorded for those sessions as well as some vocal tracks with Jackie Opel, The Wailers, Stranger Cole and Ken Booth wih Doreen Schaffer.
This new reissue (out of print since 1997) includes 6 rare Skatalites recordings not on the original release plus a historical booklet and liner notes by Chris Wilson of Studio One / Heartbeat. 
If you are looking for a definitive compilation of the Skatalites, look no further. (Dom)
Check out a track here.