Humility Dumpty Singles Collection 1960-62 by Roland Alphonso – A Ska Time Capsule That Still Kicks
Alright, let’s get real for a sec. The Humility Dumpty Singles Collection 1960-62 isn’t just another reggae album—it’s like stumbling into an old record shop where the dust has stories to tell. Released in 2016 on Dynamite! (outta the UK), this compilation feels more like unearthing buried treasure than listening to something new. It’s raw, it’s alive, and man, does it slap.
Roland Alphonso, often called “The Skipper,” was one of ska’s OGs, and you can hear why right away. This collection pulls together some killer tracks from the early days of Jamaican music, back when ska was still finding its feet but already had that swagger we all love. Listening to these tunes is like sipping rum punch under the Caribbean sun—sweet, spicy, and impossible not to vibe with.
Let me break it down quick: two tracks stuck with me hard. First up, there’s "Cry Tough." Oh man, this one hits different. The horns are sharp enough to cut glass, and Roland’s sax work? Pure fire. You don’t just listen to this track—you feel it. Every note screams defiance, like someone telling life, “Yeah, I’ve been knocked down, but I’m standing taller now.” It’s got grit, soul, and honestly? It made me wanna grab my air saxophone and pretend I’m cool for a minute.
Then there’s "Never Let Go." Now, this one sneaks up on ya. Starts off smooth, almost too chill, but then BAM—the rhythm section locks in, and suddenly you’re moving whether you want to or not. The bassline is so damn infectious; it’s like your body can’t resist bouncing along. There’s something about how simple yet effective it is—it doesn’t need flashy tricks because it knows exactly what it’s doing. By the end, you’re left grinning like an idiot, wondering how something so old still feels so fresh.
What makes this album special isn’t just the music itself—it’s the vibe. These songs come from a time before everything got polished and perfect. They’re messy, human, full of heart. And yeah, maybe the production sounds kinda lo-fi compared to today’s standards, but that’s part of the charm. It’s like hearing history breathe.
So here’s the thing: if you’re looking for background music to scroll TikTok to, this ain’t it. But if you wanna dive headfirst into the roots of ska and come out the other side buzzing with energy, this collection is golden. Honestly, after spinning it a few times, I started thinking… what would Roland think if he saw us blasting his tunes sixty years later? Would he laugh? Shake his head? Or bust out his sax and join in?
Either way, Humility Dumpty Singles Collection 1960-62 proves that great music doesn’t age—it evolves. And sometimes, evolution means sticking around long enough to remind us where we came from. Cheers to that, Skipper.
