I just saw this news item: Desmond Dekker has died. His song “Israelites” was what first brought ska and reggae to the world, back in 1969.

I have to get a turntable again (hopefully next week), so I can digitize some of the rare and obscure records which have languished in the basement lo these many years. Among those albums is a compilation of early reggae recordings by Leslie “King” Kong, which includes “Israelites” as well as The Melodians’ original version of “Sweet Sensation,” later covered on the famous UB40 album Labor of Love. It will be really great to hear that music again.