1 definition by Reggae Got Soul
A slower, mellower, yet jumpier style of ska which would later evolve into the Jamaican style of Reggae. Many ska and reggae bands encorporate rocksteady into their music, such as Hepcat, The Slackers, Toots and the Maytals, and even some of the forerunners of ska like the Skatalites. The term "Rocksteady" was coined by Alton Ellis, in the Jamaican summer of '64, the hottest jamaican summer in history, in which it was far too hot to dance to fast ska.
"I like the laid back style of reggae, but I like the jumpiness and energy of rocksteady even better."
by Reggae Got Soul March 25, 2004