The Rough Guide To Ska (2003)

"In keeping with the Rough Guide standard, this single-disc compilation of tracks from producer Vincent "Randy" Chin's personal stash is nothing less than stellar. While there are many well-known acts here - the Skatalites (three selections) and the pre-reggae Maytals (two) - there are plenty of obscurities here. In fact, 12 of the album's 21 tracks have not been reissued since they were first recorded and released as singles. Some of the rarities include Rico Rodriguez's "Rico Special" from 1961 and the jump blues-derived "A Little Mashin'" by Bunny & Skitter from that same year. The early -'60s material is special because it shows how wide open the ska scene was to embracing anything and everything it could adapt" (Allmusic).