In light of Jamaica’s independence from England on August 6, 1962 we should remember the early tenants of our colourful culture.

Dancehall and Reggae are undoubtedly the most popular genres of Jamaican music. Adored, cherished and sometimes critisised worldwide. But what about early genres like mento, ska and rocksteady?

They deserve some love too. Here are some artistes that shaped Jamaica’s music sphere pre and post independence.

MENTO

Mento gained prominence in the 1950’s before it was replaced by ska, rocksteady and reggae. The genre materialised from chattel slavery on the island and is a lively fusion of of African and British influences.

Terence Parkins, aka Count Lasher was one of the most popular and prolific mento artistes during the genre’s emergence. Despite this fact, he’s sadly one of the most underappreciated singers.

He taught himself the piano and guitar. And discovered mento music on a visit to Kingston. Parkin’s soon started performing for visitors on boats at the Kingston Harbour.

Because early mento songs are meant for sound systems rather than the general public, early recordings are scarce. Despite Lasher releasing fifty tracks in the 1970’s he never recorded an album. One beloved song by the singer would be “Mango Time”, which may have inspired the folk song of the same name by cultural icon Louise Bennett-Coverley.

Mento features call-and-response singing, demonstrating strong African retention in Jamaican culture while the harmonies reflect the British influences. Often compared to Trinidad’s calypso, It was the first genre of popular Jamaican music to be commercially recorded.

SKA

Every Jamaican should know the iconic 1964 band ‘The Skatalites’. Core founders were: Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, Lester Sterling, Donald Drummond, Johnny Moore, Lloyd Brevett, Lloyd Knibb, Jerome Haynes and Jackie Mittoo. They were later accompanied by Doreen Shaffer and other talented individuals.

The group met commercial success after their version of the Paragon’s ‘Simmer Down’ was a smash shit in Jamaica. After Drummond murdered his common-law-wife in 1965 and was deemed insane, the group lost their momentum and disbanded later the same year.

After the disbandment, some members worked together the band reunited in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

The members split into 2 groups, Rolando Alphonso with the Soul Vendors and Tommy McCook with the Supersonics. Both groups later contributed to Rocksteady.

Ska is heavily inspired by American jazz, rhythm and blues and of course, it’s predecessor Mento. It’s noted for its quick and upbeat beats for dancing. A well-known Ska song is Millie Small’s version of ‘My Boy Lollipop’. This version of the song sold over 7 million copies internationally and is one of the best-selling reggae/ska hits of all time.

Despite its feel-good beats, ska evolved over time, with the original Jamaican sound now preserved in throwback singles from it’s prominent years.

ROCKSTEADY

Alton Ellis, a pioneer of the genre, pursued his talent for music from a young age. Born on September 1st, 1938, he grew up in Trenchtown, Kingston and attended Boys Town Primary and Infant School. Although he is considered as a reggae artist, Alton made ska music under the name ‘Alton Ellis and the Flames’ with his brother Leslie Ellis, Davis ‘Baby G’ Gordon and an artiste known as Ronnie.

Ska beats slowed down in the mid 1960s and Ellis defined the genre with hit songs ‘Rock Steady’ ‘Girl I’ve Got a Date’ and ‘Cry Tough’.

Rocksteady dominated Jamaica for 2 years before reggae took over. Ellis continued making hits for Treasure Isle records, working with other rocksteady artistes like Phyllis Dillon, Ken Boothe and The Heptones.

Rocksteady is slowed ska and features prominent piano and bass. The lyrics were more socially and politically conscious, with emphasis on harmonies, especially in trios like The Heptones and Dominoes.

Rejecting the ‘rudebwoy’ status that ska was gaining, Ellis redefined the genre with soothing romantic melodies. In 2004 Alton received the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in light of his musical achievements.

Alton was inducted into the International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) Hall of Fame in 2006. He passed away in 2008 after battling cancer at 70 years old.