Skallaborations

The New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble (NYSJE) is an internationally recognized group, formed in 1994, that fuses the energetic rhythms of ska with the improvisational sophistication of jazz. The band’s music also incorporates elements of reggae, rocksteady, and dancehall. 

NYSJE was founded in the mid-1990s as a “supergroup” of sorts, comprising musicians from prominent New York ska bands like The Toasters, The Scofflaws, and The Skatalites. Over its career, NYSJE has toured extensively across Europe, North and South America, and the Caribbean. They have performed at renowned festivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival. 

The band’s music has been featured on television networks like Nickelodeon and MTV, as well as in commercials. The New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble has released more than a dozen albums since its formation, with three albums on groundbreaking label MOON SKA and recent productions on Brixton Records in Spain.

In addition to their original compositions, they are celebrated for their jazz interpretations of standards from artists such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Dave Brubeck. NYSJE is known for its ska-jazz instrumentals, but their work also includes vocal tracks with an incredible list of guests over the years. 

The brand new album ‘Skallaborations' collects the best guest appearances across all their studio albums, on limited edition jazz blue vinyl!

Tracklist

A1. BOB BARKER (featuring Tommy McCook)
A2. JOHN & JAMES (featuring Greg Lee, Alex Desert, Deston Barry – Hepcat)
A3. MR. PITIFUL (featuring Stephen Jackson)
A4. SEE YAH WOULDN’T WANNA BE YAH (featuring James K Smith)
A5. COMES LOVE (featuring Caz Gardiner)
A6. BUTTAH (featuring Jack Ruby Jr. and Nathan Breedlove)
A7. STEP FORWARD (featuring Val Douglas)

B1. SKA-KNIBB (featuring Tommy McCook)
B2. MAKIN’ WHOOPIE (featuring Sharon Jones)
B3. MOBY DICK (featuring Jack Ruby Jr.)
B4. TEARDROPS FROM MY EYES (featuring Caz Gardiner)
B5. WEAK IN LOVE (featuring J.C. Lodge)
B6. FILTHY MCNASTY (featuring Nathan Breedlove)
B7. O-O-H CHILD (featuring Joanne Williams)