Done properly – and despite the high energy vibe and rhythms – reggae and ska have a way of slowing it all down. As in, good for the heart, soul, mind and feet.

On the verge of celebrating 20 years together, southeastern Connecticut’s Soulshot has, through their original material and sparkling recitations of classics, earned an international reputation. They’re always welcome in Jamaica, for example – having appeared on the Main Stage at the Montego Bay Jazz & Blues Festival. They’ve also released several albums of highly seductive material, which makes them the perfect choice to headline Thursday’s Downtown Live! concert in New London’s Hygienic Art Park.

And don’t be late. The beloved and eternal Hempsteadys open the show.

Soulshot, 6-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Hygienic Art Park, 79 Bank St., New London; Downtown Live!; free; www.downtownnewlondonassociation.com.