It is a proven fact, 4 out of 5 dub scientists state that SKA is good for your health. Throw in some singjay style to the prescription and you have just added at least an additional week to your life. This is exactly what the reggae doctor has ordered for you at BB Kings on April 13th when the originators of SKA, The Skatalites perform live with legendary reggae singjay phenomenon, Eek-A-Mouse who clocks in at 6 feet 6 inches.

One blog post could never do justice to the story of the Skatalites, or Eek-A-Mouse for that matter, and both their impact on not only reggae but music in general. Most of the original members of the Skatalites hailed from the historical Alpha Cottage School in Kingston where they were musically educated. The members then went on to record at Coxsone Dodd’s Studio 1, not only as a band but also as studio musicians on endless artist recordings shaping the distinct, never to be repeated Studio 1 sound. Tommy McCook, Rolando Alphonso, Lloyd Brevett, Don Drummond, Jah Jerry Haynes, Jackie Mittoo, Johnny Moore and Jackie Opel made up the original members. Most of the original members are now deceased but the legend continues strong with Cedric ‘Im’ Brooks, Lester Sterling and Doreen Shaffer to name a few historical stalwarts. Having caught a recent performance of the legendary SKA band at a show in Dublin, Ireland, I was blown away with the tightness of the band and their retention of that original sound. Mix in Eek-A-Mouse, with his nasal, high-pitched voice and “biddy beng-beng, biddy meng-meng” scatting and a vocal style that has set him apart from the pack of veteran DJs and you are set to embark on a historical, one-night journey into reggae music.