The King Of Ska: The Ska Singles Collection (RSD 21)

In 1963, a 21-year-old welder with dreams of becoming a full-time singer-songwriter, auditioned for one of Jamaica’s new elite record producers, Leslie Kong, owner of the recently launched Beverley’s Records label. After performing a number of original compositions, a deal was secured and within weeks, Desmond Adolphus Dacres saw his name in print as “Desmond Dekker” on the label of what would prove to be the first of what would be a catalogue of 7” singles. The record, which coupled two of his own songs, “Honour Your Mother And Father’ and ‘Madgie’, became an instant best-seller and heralded the beginning of a long and immensely successful fun of singles by Dekker, both as a solo artist and. Later, as lead singer for The Aces.

To mark what would have been Desmond’s 80th birthday on 16th July 2021, this deluxe, limited edition box set comprises faithful reproductions of his first ten 7” singles for Kong’s Beverley’s labels. Each of the singles are presented in stylishly designed sturdy card sleeves, while the set is further enhanced by a stunning 14” x 14” poster of the box set cover, with the alternate side featuring a fascinating essay by respected music journalist Tony Rounce and career on Desmond’s career and music.