Double Barrel (Hannibal, 1998)

The name of the band says it all: Jazz Jamaica plays equal parts jazz and reggae -- ska, to be more precise.  Ska lends itself particularly easily to this fusion ("skazz"?), since it relies heavily on the live instruments (especially horns) of a big band sound (and since ska is derived, in part, from jazz anyway).  The musicianship here is beyond reproach, as the band members are truly gifted and obviously take their craft seriously.  Double Barrel sees the band covering an eclectic mix of ska -- highlighted by Toots & The Maytals' "Monkey Man" and the title track -- jazz -- the best being Herbie Hancock's "Butterfly" -- and '60s R&B/pop -- headed by "Walk on By" and a slower, funkier, more "reggae-fied" "I Heard It Through the Grapevine."  This is the kind of quality stuff that can draw non-ska fans into the genre.