KINGS OF SKA

Skatalites music was out of this world when band began its work in 1964

ON STAGE

What: The Skatalites
When: Tonight
Where: Legends (919 Douglas St.)
Tickets: $22 advance (Lyle's Place, Ditch Records, A & B Sound)

By ADRIAN CHAMBERLAIN
Times Colonist staff

Legend has it that Jamaica's Skatalites invented ska.

 Of course, such claims are virtually impossible to prove.  And Skatalites keyboardist Ken Stewart says it's a futile exercise, anyway.

"I personally don't like it when people try to give a band credit for creating an entire (musical) genre.  But the Skatalites were definately key session players during the evolution of this music," said Stewart, a native Bostonian who joined in 1988.

One thing for sure, attending a Skatalites concert is akin to genuflecting at the source.  Although many of the original members have passed on, the group still boasts three founding players:  Drummer Lloyd Knibbs, bassist Lloyd Brevett and alto saxophonist Lester Sterling.  (Knibbs and Brevett are credited by some as inveting the staggered "ska beat")  As well, Stewart notes that the Skatalites'current tenor sax-man Cedric Brooks, although not an original, did play on many early Skatalites recording sessions.

The band was formed in June 1964.  Outer-space travel was all the rage in the early '60s (remember the Jetsons?) so drummer Lloyd Knibbs originally suggested the band be called the Satellites.  But it was the late saxophonist Tommy McCook who came up with the much hipper-sounding "Skatalites."

As far as the name "ska," Stewart believes that derives from Jamaica's Cluett J. and the Blues Blasters.  Cluett used to say hi to fellow musicians with an invented greeting, "Ska-voovie!"  With this in mind, the offbeat guitar chording that defines the music became known as ska, as in "ska!ska!ska!".

The Skatalites became famous for instrumentals such as Guns of Navarone, Phoenix City, Addis Ababa and Silver Dollar.The musicians were influenced by jazz and R&B, combining it with elements of Jamaica's traditional mento and calypso.  Ska is easily recognized by the guitar and keyboard emphasis on accenting the upbeat (the two and four beat in 4/4 time).

The Skatalites' first run was actually fairly short.  The band called it quits in 1965 after their trombonist, Don Drummond, stabbed his common-law wife and the band's vocalist to death.  The members became busy session musicians, playing on scores of recording dates for a who's who of Jamaican musicians.

In 1986, the Skatalites officially reformed and began performing regularly.  Stewart first saw the band perform in America in 1987.  He subsequently got to know Knibbs when the pair played together in a reggae band, and was later invited by Knibbs to audition for the Skatalites.

At the time, says Stewart, the Skatalites weren't playing much -  only 10 gigs in the first year he joined.  Their career was fully rejuvenated when Stewart landed the band a gig backing Bunny Wailer for a 1989 world tour.  Soon the group was headlining on its own.  An acclaimed 1993 album, Skavoovee, assured the world the Skatalites were back in business.

The keyboardist notes there is some confusion about what ska is.  Many rock lovers believe it is represented by latter-day ska-influenced bands such as the English Beat, the Specials or more recently, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.  Stewart says such groups speeded up the beat so much, the music comes closer to rock.

"With ska, if you clock it on a drum machine, it comes in somewhere over 100 beats a minute.  Jamaican rock-steady is 85 to 100 beats a minute, and if you slow it down below 85, its more like reggae."

He believes the Skatalites' sound is unique.  Ska drummers try to imitate Knibbs, and some do manage to capture his nuances.  Fewer are able to replicate the idiosyncratic variations of Brevett's bass playing.

Stewart says Victoria ska fans may be well advised to catch tonight's show.  Although the Skatalites are planning a new release and global tour next year to mark their 40th anniversary, it's all dependant on the health of the senior members - some of whom are now in their 70s.