Originally recorded in 1964 and reissued in 2026 by Kids Of Yesterday, Plays Jamaica Ska is a classic example of the early ska sound as it gained national and international recognition. Byron Lee & The Dragonaires played a key role in shaping and promoting ska, including their appearance at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
The album features horn-driven arrangements and offbeat rhythms that define the genre, reflecting the development of Jamaican music from earlier styles like mento and R&B into the high-energy ska sound.
Byron Lee was a musician, producer, and entrepreneur who led The Dragonaires for decades and contributed significantly to the global reach of Jamaican music. He also owned Dynamic Sounds Studios, one of the Caribbean’s major recording facilities.
