UUCJEFF@ECNCDC.BITNET (jeff beer) (02/13/90)
Ska is older than reggae, it started in the early 60s. So they didn't have digital reverb effects, linn drums. Instead, there were brass sections, and less of the slower tempo grooves in minor keys. Ska seems to be happier, brighter, and more oriented to dance. Ska has little bit of New Orleans R&B (like some of the earlier Neville Brothers) Reggae of course often has political expression, and especially on the Heartland Reggae, there are some very deep emotions on the blue side of things. Reggae grooves are more trance oriented. Reggae also has adapted hi-tech synthesizers and effects which are employed especially for enhancing the trance effects. Yes, Robert Marley's early recording with Peter McIntosh (drop the McIn) do have a lot of the Ska sound. A good source is Rhythm Come Foward, in which these early recordings with Tosh are present, plus with Legalize It and some other modern reggae tracks. jeff