1964
SILVER DOLLAR * DON DRUMMOND AND THE SKATALITES * SKA BEAT 178 * UK
One of those intense Ska instrumentals of Don Drummond's that have such a dark and moody start, with a riff repeated like it was the portent of Armageddon, which conjures up a picture of an ancient army approaching the walls of Babylon in the first light of dawn, and, with the light getting ever brighter, and the armies getting ever nearer, the riff seems to gain imperceptibly in intensity; reflecting both the determination and conviction of the assailants and the fear and dread of the Babylonians. When at a given moment, followed by a slight easing of the forward movement, there is blast of horns that comes on like it was aiming to blow down the City walls. And while there is a continuous succession of triumphant blasts from various warriors on their horns, in the background, led by Lloyd Knibbs on his drums, there is this same threatening riff: resolute, determined and relentless; like the massed armies of the multitude standing in full battle dress outside those very walls awaiting the moment of victory.