REPRESSED: THE SKATALITES “Platinum Ska” LP vinyl includes 3 bonus dubs!

Jamaican ska legends’ latest album “Platinum Ska” finally repressed on vinyl with three bonus dubs. The group has been at the forefront of ska music since the mid-’60s, and this studio album is their first recordings to follow the band’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2014. The Skatalites built the foundation for Jamaican music, and was part of it’s evolution as it morphed from ska to rock steady then reggae, helping give birth to household names like Toots and The Maytals, Lee Perry, and of course Bob Marley & The Wailers. Since re-forming in the ’80s, The Skatalites have been through their share of transformation and have sadly seen most of the band’s original members pass on. Each of today’s existing members were hand-picked by the band’s original members to play, and they continue to hold down the tradition by performing at some of the most prestigious festivals around the world. Two of the tracks included on “Platinum Ska” feature original 60’s era drummer Lloyd Knibb (who passed away in 2011), plus it captures alto sax player Lester Sterling and vocalist Doreen Shaffer, the last two living original Skatalites members. The album was mixed in Mali and also includes guest appearances by legendary Malian musicians Assaba Dramé and Madou Sidiki Diabaté. Simply put, “Platinum Ska” is a testament to some of the greatest Jamaican musicians the world has ever seen, and Jump Up is proud to preserve this legacy once again with a limited vinyl edition. Limited repress on metallic marble and classic black vinyl.

Restocked! LAUREL AITKEN vs THE SKATALITES “Ska Titans” LP vinyl – 1999 Moon NYC classic on wax for the first time

First time on vinyl for this classic Moon Ska NYC title released in 1999 – “Ska Titans” is a wonderful collaboration between the “Godfather of Ska” Laurel Aitken and the legendary Skatalites recorded in the studio during 1996’s European Ska Splash tour – it was the first time the titans met up on record since 1964!  The album features original Skatalites Roland Alphonso, Lester Sterling, Lloyd Brevett, and Lloyd Knibb alongside longtime members Devon James, Will Clark, and Nathan Breedlove backing Aitken’s amazing vocals on a set of classics, including several Aitken originals. As an added bonus three live tracks are included, taken from the Ska Splash’s stop in Amsterdam. Continue reading Restocked! LAUREL AITKEN vs THE SKATALITES “Ska Titans” LP vinyl – 1999 Moon NYC classic on wax for the first time

REPRESSED: THE SKATALITES “Bashaka” LP / 8 track – lost classic now on vinyl!

LONG LOST ALBUM is back and now on VINYL and 8 TRACK! The Skatalites are more than a band, they are an institution, an aggregation of top-notch musicians who didn’t merely define the sound of Jamaica, but WERE the sound in the ’60s. Frequently credited as the originators of ska — the Skatalites’ various members banded together as both an original group and the often uncredited backing band for artists/producers such as Prince Buster and Duke Reid. Although the group officially existed in its original incarnation for less than 18 months (1964-1965), its members brought their signature styles to thousands of the island’s releases. Following a handful of reunions in the ’70s and early ’80s, the Skatalites re-formed for good in 1986 and, over subsequent decades, have included a rotating lineup of both original members and newcomers responsible for late-period highlights like 1994’s “Hi-Bop Ska” and 2000’s “Bashaka”, now reissued on vinyl for the first time. “BASHAKA” is an album lost in time, plagued by a label bankruptcy and released when mainstream’s support for the genre had waned. Simply put, this brilliant album never got the credit it deserves! Original members Lloyd Knibb, Lloyd Brevett, Lester Sterling and Cedric Brooks lead the charge into scorching ska instrumentals and rootsy jazz reggae, Doreen Shaffer adds beautiful vocals on ska tunes “Oh baby” and “Reach for the Sky”, while special guest Ken Boothe delivers the mid-tempo groover “I Never Knew”. Brand new updated art by Chema Skandal, repress on clear yellow / orange vinyl limited to 200 copies. 8 TRACK edition of 30 for the ultimate collector housed in an original ISLAND RECORDS sleeve  (SOLD OUT)!

RSD 2020: THE SKATALITES “Ska Voovee” LP + 7″ single – first time on vinyl for 1993 masterpiece!

WAREHOUSE FIND! BLUE VINYL + BONUS 7″. First time on vinyl for 1993 classic from ska originators. Part of the the Shanachie trilogy of 90’s albums from legendary Jamaican big band that invented the genre in the early 1960’s. Released in 1993, Ska Voovee finds original saxophonist Tommy McCook leading a lineup that includes original members (bassist Lloyd Brevett, drummer Lloyd Knibbs, alto saxophonist Lester Sterling ) alongside newcomers and jazz guests, including trombonist Steve Turre and trumpeter Frank Gordan. This edition of the Skatalites was quite faithful to the band’s history, lively instrumentals like “Skamaica” and “Skapan” are instantly recognizable as authentic Skatalites performances. These dozen tunes are solid and engaging, an effort that both die-hard and casual fans will equally enjoy. Blue vinyl LP with bonus “Jamaican Blank” style 45 rpm 7 inch single, originally  scheduled for Record Store Day 2020 –  but we pulled the title to keep our fans safe! We don’t want you to have to wait in a line this fall….it’s just too dangerous.  Ska At Home Saves Lives!

Cassette Store Day 2019 – Twelve new tapes including THE SLACKERS, MUSTARD PLUG, THE PIETASTERS, THE SKATALITES and MEPHISKAPHELES!

Jump Up is leading the way supporting cassette culture with 12 releases for the yearly Cassette Store Day celebration! We lead ALL LABELS with the most new titles dropping on Saturday October 12th! One again we ask you to call a participating shop and request that they stock our titles for the day – we want to support brick and mortar stores first. As always we will be offering our titles on our website that day we do understand that not everyone is close to a participating store. Tapes are fun and inexpensive, and are always more limited than the vinyl or CD versions. In many cases tapes allow us to add bonus material that we simply can’t fit on a vinyl record. In this day and age it seems everything is available on vinyl and records have become mainstream, thus cassette culture has really taken off once again for true collectors. Do yourself a favor and pick up a vintage tape deck or boombox this year – you’ll be glad you did! For a list of participating shops go to the Cassette Store Day site HERE. To see close ups on the tapes and videos of them playing on our vintage boombox collection – follow us on Instgram

Continue reading Cassette Store Day 2019 – Twelve new tapes including THE SLACKERS, MUSTARD PLUG, THE PIETASTERS, THE SKATALITES and MEPHISKAPHELES!

THE SKATALITES “Greetings From Skamania” LP {OUT OF PRINT}

First time on wax for Jamaican ska originators’ 1996 masterpiece, green vinyl edition with poster insert exclusive for Record Store Day. Produced by Joe Ferry (Big Ska Band, SKAndolous All Stars) and band leader Tommy McCook, On this set original 60’s players are still going strong – lead by the saxophone trio of Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, and Lester Sterling, drummer Lloyd Knibbs, bassist Lloyd Brevett, and vocalist Doreen Shaffer. The band revisits 60’s gems like “Phoenix City” , and “El Pussycat” while creating many new classics including “Skalloween”, “Trip To Mars” and “Skamania”. The Skatalites perfected the big-band ska sound while backing some of the finest ska and rocksteady artists in the 60’s, and this album is another crowning jewel in their lifelong goal to party like it’s 1964! This official RSD 2019 title has been out of print for ages, but we recently received stranded stock from a few overseas distributors, which we reconditioned for sale once again. Snatch these up!

RECORD STORE DAY 2018: THE SKATALITES “Hi Bop Ska” 2xLP (OUT OF PRINT)

Jamaican ska originators’ Grammy nominated 1994 album will be available for the first time on vinyl – an official selection for Record Store Day 2018! Recorded 30 years after the breakup of the original Skatalites, “Hi-Bop Ska” finds the band’s blend of R&B, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean music continuing to sound healthy and exuberant. Throughout the 1990s, the band’s studio/live ranks ranged from newcomers to survivors of the band’s classic 1960s lineup, including saxmen Tommy McCook and Roland Alphonso, bassist Lloyd Brevett, drummer Lloyd Knibbs, and vocalist Doreen Shaffer. The Skatalites are joined here by several prominent guests including fellow Jamaican legends Toots Hibbert (of Toots & the Maytals) and Prince Buster; jazz improvisers Lester Bowie on trumpet, saxman David Murray, trombonist Steve Turre, and Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander. The jazzers get plenty of room to shine on this mostly instrumental album, from Alexander’s “Renewal” and Murray’s “Flowers for Albert” to remakes of iconic 60’s ska anthems “Man in the Street”, “Guns of Navarone”, “You’re Wondering Now”, and “Ska Ska Ska”. “Hi Bop Ska” harkens back to the heyday of Jamaican independence, when the freedom sounds of ska ruled the dancehalls. These dozen songs are an essential journey for fans who discovered ska from it’s Third Wave (Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Toasters, Mephiskapheles) and Second Wave (The Specials, Madness, English Beat), but is also a wonderful addition to the band’s short lived 1960’s output on Studio 1 and Island Records. We at JUMP UP are SO PROUD to finally give this album a breath of new life in 2018 – to an entire new music buying generation that are preferring to discover classics like this on vinyl. Continue reading RECORD STORE DAY 2018: THE SKATALITES “Hi Bop Ska” 2xLP (OUT OF PRINT)

MARLEY tribute 7″ singles featuring THE SKATALITES, CHARLEY ORGANAIRE w/AKASHA, THE CROMBIES, EQUATORS, and more {OUT OF PRINT}

The wait is over! The SPECIALIZED Teenage Cancer Trust folks in the UK just released their 4xCD tribute to BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS, and our vinyl has JUST arrived! We think these 4 song 7″ vinyl EPs are absolutely brilliant!! One single is on a Jamaican ska tip, while the other has more of a 2-TONE 80’s flair! Limited edition of 400 each. Sorry, the 2-TONE one is out of print.

JUMPTCT09 : Akasha w/ Charley Organaire “One Cup Of Coffee”  /  The Skatalites feat Doreen Shaffer “Nice Time”, Pressure Tenants “Judge Not” /  Calypso Joe “Stir It Up”
JUMPTCT10: The Crombies “Hooligans” / The Equators “Pimper’s Paradise”
 The Skapones (UK) “Midnight Ravers” / Annabella Lwin (of Bow Wow Wow) “Cheer Up”