JOHNNY NASH
The island of Jamaica gave birth to a unique style of music, identified by several names, that evolved over the course of the mid-20th century. Mento (inspired by African rhythms) was popular in the 1940s and '50s, ska (with more prominent bass and horns) came in the late '50s and '60s and was followed by rocksteady (slowed-down, bass-heavy grooves) later in the decade. These last two phases gained momentum in Great Britain and had limited crossover success in America with Millie Small's hit "My Boy Lollipop" and The Ska Kings' "Jamaica Ska," both in 1964, and Prince Buster's "Ten Commandments (From Man to Woman)" in '66, while many more originators were dominant on the Caribbean island. Ultimately, the musical style became more ... MORE ››
