Georg Demcisin

Tracing the Roots of Ska: a Musicological and Music-sociological Approach Georg Demcisin

Ska was developed in Jamaica in the early 1960s andlaid the corner stone for rocksteady and reggae. Thisbook provides an in-depth analysis of ska and itsemergence pursuing an interdisciplinary approach. Thefirst part of this book deals with the musicologicalanalysis of ska and its progenitors drawing fromcomprehensive transcriptions of representativerecordings. In order to sufficiently understand theprocess of ska?s shaping, the second part focuses onhistoric, economic, political, cultural, andmusic-sociological aspects before and during thedevelopment of ska. Covered are questions like; Whydid ska emerge during this time in particular? Arethere connections between the specific socialsituation and the development of ska? What powersinfluenced the rise and dissemination of the newmusic style? What functions did ska have for theJamaican people? The present analysis reveals newinsights on ska?s origins and stresses theinterrelations between ska and its socialenvironment. This book addresses researchers in thefield of Caribbean music as well as all thoseinterested in the emergence of the music style thatstrongly contributed to shape Jamaica?s identity.