If we would like to set a point of beginning for the Japanese own SKA scene, maybe we must look backward on the early 80's when the visit of the LEGENDARY "RICO" Rodriguez on 1982 has inspired a young local drum player to join together some friends to form the first Japanese Real Authentic Jamaican blended Ska Band, the result was "THE SKA FLAMES". who before some years on the local underground scene, in 1987 supported LAUREL AITKEN's First Japanese Tour.

On the follow year 1988, eleven of their thirteen members, flyed to LONDON were DJ, producer, musician and SKA Expert GAZ MAYALL, leader of the TOJANS, produced their debut LP "Ska Fever", releasing it on his own label "GAZ Rockin' Records" later licensed to SONY Japan, representing maybe the first full lenght Japanese SKA album ever. Since then, a lot of bands appeared on the Japan rising Ska Scene with wonderful success and most of them are really brilliant.

The Ska Flames had surprisingly released only three full lenght records (beside some singles and EPs) "Ska Fever" from 1988, "Wail'n Skal'm" from 1993 and their best "Damn Good" from 1995 with guest Jamaican legends Laurel Aitken on vocals and Roland Alphonso and Lester "Ska" Sterling of the Original Skatalites. Was rumoured that the Ska Flames were recording a new album, and at the time (Y2K) had six songs ready. Since then, there was no more information about a new album.

Other pioneers from early Japan Ska scene are without a doubt the well known The Determinations. They have released fourteen singles, four albums, a live album with Prince Buster (along with a DVD), and have appeared on many compilations. Their first album, "Ska Champion" was very good, but also short, their second album, "This is Determinations" was a great album too, with top-notch songs like "Yin & Yang", "New Day", and "Four Finger". They improved the singing and playing on "Full of Determination", but was on "Chat Chat Determination" where they made their best album. It boasted a full twelve tracks, and all of them were very well played and quite good.

One cannot mention the Japanese ska scene without mentioning Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. These guys are amazing musicians, but they do not always stick to traditional Jamaican sounds, so they are very hit or miss. Their early stuff is great. Their mid-period stuff is weak, and their later stuff (from "Full-Tension Beaters" to now) is also good.

MULE TRAIN is one of today's favourites bands of the actual SKA scene from JAPAN. They have a highly knowledge of how the original Jamaican Riddims must sound, and beside they'd released a couple of 7" singles on their own label LAMB STAR RECORDS, They have two Amazing! CDs now, "Humming Bird" from 2003 and "Caribou" from 2004, (check review). This guys have really clear how to walk the road of JAMAICAN MUZIK. Let's hope that they keep producing more records like this one in the future.

The Dreamlets is a delightful band fronted by three angelical voiced Princess from Japan wich harmonies can hypnotize to any Jamaican Music lover. They play the most authentic Rocksteady with occasional forays into Ska and early Reggae that you have ever heard from a modern band. They did released several 7" EPs during late 90's, includding a collabotion on 2001 with King of RockSteady, Mr. ALTON ELLIS himself, plus a Limited Edition Cassette only issue of their gig backing Mr. ELLIS in Japan (check the review). They are actually releasing four more EPs on 7" source as it seems it's they favourite format, surely more great tunes, but we're waiting anxious for their long delayed full lenght debut record.

Former Keyboard player of LITTLE TEMPO's band, HAKASE-SUN have a prolific parallel soloist career, with 3 records out on the streets, 1st Album "Plays Boyz-Toyz REGGAY!", 2nd Album "Do Re Me Rockers" from 2002, and the fresh brand new 3rd Album "SHANTY Reggae MAGIC" from 2004. He'd also colaborated on the Various Artists CD Japanese 'REGGAE MUSIC' Compilation "Riddim&Vibration".

One band that not only has mastered authentic Jamaican music, but has also found a way to incorporate their own "sound" within the Jamaican framework is the Blue Beat Players. Their first two albums "Torrid Rock" and "Blue Beat As Everar" just awesome. I thought their third album "Eastern Leo" is not so good as their previous, though. It has been a long time since the release of "Eastern Leo", and it is high time they released a new album.

The Cool Wise Men are just what their name says - "Cool". Even their label "Cool Smoke" is cool. I thought their first album "Bad Ska" was good, but I was amazed with their second album "Faith" because it was much better.

The Silver Sonics have two full-length cd's "Authentic Ska" and "Something New Under The Sun", an ep "Got to Be Ska", and a remix ep "Silver Sonics meets Fireball", and are not to be missed. Like most of these Japanese bands (with the exception of the Dreamlets), they mostly play instrumentals. And again, like most Japanese bands, they are very adept at what they do.

The Miceteeth are a fairly new band, but are not to be missed. They play some mellow ska with hints of rocksteady here and there. They have several ep's and two albums out, their most rescent CD "Meeting" is really Excellent. Check them.

Some other bands to mention include Triple Slott, the Rude Pressures (Get their second cd "Always", not their first "Family"), The Majestics, Three Seven, the King Lion, and Joyride. All of these bands are fairly new to the scene, but keep an eye out for any cd's or compilations that include them.

some comments, Design & all the rest: Mr.BT