Dance Hall '63

A landmark recording from Kingston's vibrant sound system scene, Dance Hall '63 documents King Stitt's pioneering vocal performances alongside Coxsone Dodd's legendary Downbeat operation. Captured live in 1963, these sessions reveal the genesis of toasting—the rhythmic, spoken-word delivery that would define reggae and influence global hip-hop culture. Blending ska, R&B, and raw instrumental energy, this collection stands as essential evidence of how Jamaican DJs transformed the dance floor into a laboratory for vocal innovation and cultural expression.