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Tomorrow brings ska-kooky Bangkok a chance to actually meet the originators of the jumpy Jamaican sound, the Skatalites. They're headlining the Smiley Fest in Pattaya, alongside cross-over group Ska Cubano and a bunch of reggae outfits.

The Skatalites found international fame in the early '60s with their musical precursor to reggae and rocksteady. It derived from Caribbean mento and calypso and American jazz and rhythm and blues.

Their 1964 debut album "Ska Authentic" made them "the sound of Jamaica". Skatalites hits - "The Guns of Navarone", "Latin Goes Ska", "Corner Stone", "Mesopotamia" - formed the blueprint for what followed.

"At the time, people in Jamaica were listening to a lot of imported music, such as jazz, blues and calypso," says drummer Amando Joseph Rezcado. "The musicians who formed the Skatalites thought it was time to invent a music that Jamaica could call its own."

Most of the founding members have died, and the line-up's changed constantly since the band reunited in 1983, but the original sound has been carefully preserved even as Jamaica takes to dancehall and reggaeton instead.

"The music has stayed the same," says Rezcado. "There is no reason to change it."

Their new album is due out next summer.

"Ska will never die," Rezcado affirms. "It will always have a place in the hearts of its faithful listeners. The live shows and the way people react to them are what keep us excited."

Britain's Ska Cubano, who blend the salty romp of ska with the more lilting rhythms of Cuba, took everyone by surprise with their self-titled debut in 2003. No one expected the imaginative mix of the genres to work.

Their second album, "¡Ay Caramba!", was nominated for a BBC World Music Award in the Culture Crossing category.

"I persuaded Peter it would be a great mix," lead singer Natty Bo recalls, referring to co-founder Peter Scott. "The whole thing seemed to me closer to the ska sound. A few years later we put together the actual band, including members from my old band, the Topcats."

Natty Bo grew up listening to everything, but says, "Whatever music I was involved in had to be a killer-diller to dance to.

"Both ska and Cuban music are exciting styles of music. The Skatalites and other groups in Jamaica already incorporated mambo in the birth of ska in the late '50s. It's a great transition, and it's fun!"

Ska Cubano spends little time dwelling on the tales of suffering that inspired early ska and reggae.

"It depends on the song," says Natty Bo. "It's like any music - there are different themes and emotions. Some are devastating, like poverty, death and exploitation, while some are jubilant, like love, freedom and dreams.

"In Cuban songs, it seems that many are about love and passion. We have all these inspirations."

Interestingly, Ska Cuban has yet to perform in Cuba, he says.

"It's a dream, and I wonder if it could happen. I've made many good friends there. It would be revolutionary!"

British audiences are invariably enthusiastic.

"Our live act is the main thing, like a ball of fire, a non-stop dance party where you can't sit still. We're on and off the stage, connecting with our audience to give them a truly memorable experience. We are the real deal!"

The Skatalites and Ska Cubano will be joined by acts from home and abroad, including Skalaxy, Windy City, T-Bone, the Kai-Jo Brothers, Prince Fatty & Little Roy from Jamaica and Babyhead from the UK.

   JUMP OFF

Catch the Skatalites and Ska Cubano on Saturday at the Smiley Festival on Baan Amphur Beach, a 20-minute drive from Pattaya.

Admission is Bt800. The show starts at 6pm. Grab a pass at www.ThaiTicket|Major.com.