# Reggae or ska I can dance to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 22, 2007, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168 "2007-02-22T00:42:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beaucarnea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c0e974/32.png) [@Beaucarnea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beaucarnea)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/1 "2007-02-22T00:42:47Z")
Something like these: Dem No Worry We by Super Cat That Girl by Maxi Priest Hey Mama by Black eyed Peas Mr Boombastic by Shaggy Marley and/or Peter Tosh recommendations would be appreciated- (But… no Sean Paul, please. Uh OOOH!) ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/2 "2007-02-22T00:45:20Z")
Not being snarky, but all reggae and ska is danceable. If you can’t dance to reggae or ska, you can’t dance. ---
**Author:** ![Beaucarnea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c0e974/32.png) [@Beaucarnea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beaucarnea)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/3 "2007-02-22T00:51:18Z")
[QUOTE=Subterraneanus] Not being snarky, but all reggae and ska is danceable. If you can’t dance to reggae or ska, you can’t dance. [/QUOTE] Can’t dance to No Woman No Cry. _Can_ drink to it- can’t dance to it. Any recommendations for party music? ---
**Author:** ![whole\_bean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@whole\_bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whole_bean)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/4 "2007-02-22T00:58:58Z")
_Time Bomb_ by Rancid is a fave of mine (I guess it’s more ska-punk, but it’s ska) ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/5 "2007-02-22T00:59:13Z")
[QUOTE=Beaucarnea] Can’t dance to No Woman No Cry. _Can_ drink to it- can’t dance to it. Any recommendations for party music? [/QUOTE] You’re using the wrong drug. Sounds like ska is more your speed. Skatalites Derrick Morgan Prince Buster Desmond Dekker (reggae-ish ska) Specials The Selector Madness That’s a start. ---
**Author:** ![whole\_bean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@whole\_bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whole_bean)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/6 "2007-02-22T01:02:26Z")
[QUOTE=Beaucarnea] Something like these: Dem No Worry We by Super Cat That Girl by Maxi Priest Hey Mama by Black eyed Peas Mr Boombastic by Shaggy Marley and/or Peter Tosh recommendations would be appreciated- (But… no Sean Paul, please. Uh OOOH!) [/QUOTE] you’re including rocksteady and dancehall (Shaggy, Super Cat), you know. just to open you up to more labels, try some Toots and the Maytals ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/7 "2007-02-22T01:05:34Z")
This is pretty ancient shit, but you can’t go wrong with: **The English Beat:** Mirror In The Bathroom Rankin Full Stop Save It For Later Tears Of A Clown **and Madness:** One Step Beyond Madness There’s tons more of English Beat and Madness, but these songs I’m sure of. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/8 "2007-02-22T01:06:50Z")
[QUOTE=Darryl Lict] This is pretty ancient shit, but you can’t go wrong with: **The English Beat:** Mirror In The Bathroom Rankin Full Stop Save It For Later Tears Of A Clown **and Madness:** One Step Beyond Madness There’s tons more of English Beat and Madness, but these songs I’m sure of. [/QUOTE] Good call—forgot about The Beat/English Beat. ---
**Author:** ![Beaucarnea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c0e974/32.png) [@Beaucarnea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beaucarnea)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/9 "2007-02-22T01:20:02Z")
I’ve got a pretty big reggae and ska/punk library (got Marley,Toots, Tosh, Skindred; Specials) but everyone in my sphere rolls eyes when I play any of it. I am having a get together next week-end and I plan to try and convert some of my high strung friends- so I’m gonna slip in some dancehall stylee. Any specific song recommendations? **Subterraneanus** , I’m liking Prince Buster. **Darryl Lict** , I know how old you are. (me too) (Speaking of reggae condiments- anyone upgraded windows media lately? The graphic thingy is awesome. Awesome.) ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/10 "2007-02-22T01:32:55Z")
[QUOTE=Beaucarnea] I’ve got a pretty big reggae and ska/punk library (got Marley,Toots, Tosh, Skindred; Specials) but everyone in my sphere rolls eyes when I play any of it. I am having a get together next week-end and I plan to try and convert some of my high strung friends- so I’m gonna slip in some dancehall stylee. Any specific song recommendations? **Subterraneanus** , I’m liking Prince Buster. **Darryl Lict** , I know how old you are. (me too) (Speaking of reggae condiments- anyone upgraded windows media lately? The graphic thingy is awesome. Awesome.) [/QUOTE] Get a new sphere. :mad: I kid. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/11 "2007-02-22T02:27:14Z")
More votes for classic (first-wave) ska like the Skatalites, Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, and the Ethiopians. I’m also very fond of mid-to-late '90s (third-wave) ska, having played in a band myself during that time. The music is generally faster and fused with punk rock, but third-wave ska bands like the Pietasters, the Toasters, Hepcat, the Slackers, and Skavoovie and the Epitones are somewhat more traditional and danceable than their punkier contemporaries. EDIT: A bit slow for dancing most of the time, but try some dub music by Augustus Pablo, the maestro of the melodica. Awesome chilled-out reggae jams. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/12 "2007-02-22T02:46:14Z")
[QUOTE=Big Bad Voodoo Lou] … try some dub music by Augustus Pablo, the maestro of the melodica. Awesome chilled-out reggae jams. [/QUOTE] Yes, he’s great. ---
**Author:** ![Beaucarnea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c0e974/32.png) [@Beaucarnea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beaucarnea)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/13 "2007-02-22T02:52:04Z")
**Big Bad Voodoo Lou** , can you recommend some individual tracks? I only have a handful of free ITunes left- ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/14 "2007-02-22T03:12:00Z")
[QUOTE=Beaucarnea] **Big Bad Voodoo Lou** , can you recommend some individual tracks? I only have a handful of free ITunes left- [/QUOTE] Just to get you started: Skavoovie and the Epitones: “She Sure Can Cook” or “Blood Red Sky.” The Pietasters: “Girl, Take It Easy,” “Without You,” or “Ocean.” The Toasters: “Direction” or “Mona.” Hepcat: “Dance Wid’ Me.” ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/15 "2007-02-22T03:28:36Z")
[QUOTE=Darryl Lict] This is pretty ancient shit, but you can’t go wrong with: **The English Beat:** Mirror In The Bathroom Rankin Full Stop Save It For Later Tears Of A Clown **and Madness:** One Step Beyond Madness There’s tons more of English Beat and Madness, but these songs I’m sure of. [/QUOTE] Ah, but it’s top notch brilliant ancient shit. Do yourself a favor and buy all three of The Beat’s albums. ---
**Author:** ![Beaucarnea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c0e974/32.png) [@Beaucarnea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beaucarnea)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/16 "2007-02-22T03:41:14Z")
[QUOTE=Hippy Hollow] Ah, but it’s top notch brilliant ancient shit. Do yourself a favor and buy all three of The Beat’s albums. [/QUOTE] Don’t have to buy it- I am 36. I lived it. 🙂 I still have What is Beat on vinyl. Save it for Later is an all time favorite. Thanks, **Big Bad Voodoo Lou** , love Dance Wid Me. **whole bean** , I love Time Bomb. Have you listened to any Skindred? Is much harder but fun- [QUOTE=Subterraneanus] Get a new sphere. :mad: I kid. [/QUOTE] Seriously. Most of my friends are… stiff. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/17 "2007-02-22T04:46:20Z")
Since you liked that song by Hepcat, their whole album _Out of Nowhere_ is similar in style – very laid-back, jazzy, and smooth. Some of their members were also in the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, which played mostly instrumentals (a lot of jazz standards done in a ska/reggae style). ---
**Author:** ![JCorre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3da27b/32.png) [@JCorre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JCorre)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/18 "2007-02-22T04:52:17Z")
If you really like ska anything by: Unsteady Save Ferris Cherry Poppin Daddies ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/19 "2007-02-22T06:40:17Z")
You want real ska? I can’t help you. You want something you can dance to reggae/sha-ish? Try Sublime. [Brad](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley_Nowell) [Nowell](http://www.hotshotdigital.com/WellAlwaysRemember.4/BradleyNowellrBio.html), IMHO, made that genre “danceable”. I loved that guy, and then he OD’d on heroin, the fucker. edit: That’s two links btw ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2007, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168/20 "2007-02-22T15:42:44Z")
[This album](http://www.amazon.com/Third-Wave-1-Various-Artists/dp/B000003SG1/sr=1-1/qid=1172158832/ref=sr_1_1/105-4251386-1711644?ie=UTF8&s=music) turned me completely on to ska. It is all third wave (hence the title). I can’t vouch for tracks 15-18 as they weren’t on the original version. But all of those songs are completely danceable and most of my favorite third-wavers are on it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reggae-or-ska-i-can-dance-to/393168.md?page=2)