Ska Blah Blah

Ska Blah Blah on KDHX

Posted on July 16th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: news.

Paul Stark over at Ska’s The Limit, St. Louis’ only Ska radio show, has invited me to be a guest selector on this Friday’s episode.  He’s replayed the entire first series of Ska Blah Blah, in the past, and I’m sure we’ll talk a bit about the podcast- however, I’ve got a ton of good music that I want to play and two hours to fit it all in.  This is huge honor as I’ve been a fan of the show for years- and it is, in fact, the longest running ska radio show in existence.

If you happen to be around the internet on Fri 8-10 PM (Central Time) I encourage you to stream KDHX 88.1 live.  An archive stream should stary up for a week or two, if you can’t catch it live.

1 comment.

Rude Boy for President

Posted on May 28th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: news, video.

I can’t find any evidence that the future President of the US enjoys Reggae or Island music, but Jamaica is behind him anyways.  I can’t say that I really enjoy any of the songs for the various candidates- and I know they aren’t all meant to be enjoyed, some of them are jokes- but I’m impressed that Reggae hasn’t missed the train on the most socially conscious hopeful in decades.

Obama embodies many of the ideals espoused in Reggae Music. His calls for drastic reform, an end to the war, transparency in the government, and support and compassion for the least of us is decidedly anti-Babylon.

Here’s a big roundup of Obama themed music videos- some Reggae, one calypso tune from the legendary Mighty Sparrow, and one that has nothing to do Ska or Reggae but is simply irresistible.

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Rumor Becomes News - Specials Will Reunite

Posted on May 27th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: news.

You’ve no doubt heard the rumors buzzing around the past few months regarding a full reunion of the Two Tone legends, The Specials.  I had always heard that any Specials reunion will never be complete due to longstanding personal feuds that go back nearly 30 years.  I’ve seen Golding fronted reunions dissolve into screaming matches with the crowd;  I’ve heard unimpressive live stuff from the Special Beat, in recent years; and who could forget the train wreck that was Today’s Specials- but a full member reunion might recapture that magic of ‘79- maybe.

This video has given me a pinch of hope:

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Ska Professor Dextor Campbell

Posted on April 24th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: news.

Tom sent me this Jamaican Gleaner story about Dextor Campbell, who’s record collection is one of the largest in the world.

Affectionately referred to as ‘The Ska Professor’ from his days as a sound system selector specialising in ska music, Campbell says his collection is valued at over $15 million.

“Right now mi have 20,000 albums and 15,000 seven-inch (45s) and mi know mi can safely get roughly $15 million for my collection without a doubt,” Campbell said.

But when he started collecting vinyl music it was not with the intention to one day become one of the largest collectors of his time. Instead, it was all for the love of the music.

Link

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Ska Online: Desirable DVDs Abound

Posted on March 27th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: Ska Online, news, video.

My last post pointed you to an upcoming Rocksteady documentary, but that is far from the only interesting documentary coming down the pike.  Here’s three other projects with accompanying trailers:

Legends of Ska: The Movie

This one looks to be a similar idea as the Rocksteady doc-  get all the heavy hitters from around the world, film a concert, record some music, and shoot some interviews.

The Birth of Ska in Britain

Here we have a doc that will cover the migration of Jamaican music to the UK, featuring Duke Vin, Count Suckle, and Daddy Vego, to name a few.

The Skatalites - Live in Sao Paulo

Here’s one I mentioned a few months ago.  Victor Rice and the folks at Radiola Records have put together a live presentation of this not-so-original line-up.  Release date is as soon as April 7.

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Rocksteady Documentary In the Works

Posted on March 25th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: news, rocksteady.

It’s way early in development but The Jamaican Gleaner reports a reunion of Rocksteady legends. The event will result in a new record and the participators will be the subject of a feature length documentary. The producer is optimistic about the films chances stating, “that it would not be a straight-to-DVD film, but a blockbuster.”

From the Gleaner:

According to Boulos [line producer], the project is two years in the making. The musicians who are flying in for the film, record and concert are singer, Dawn Penn, arranger and band leader Lynn Taitt, and singer, Hopeton Lewis. They will be joined on stage and in the recording studio at Tuff Gong by the legendary performers who still live in Jamaica, including Ken Boothe, Judy Mowatt, Strangejah Cole, Derrick Morgan, Leroy Sibbles, Marcia Griffiths, Scully Simms, The Tamlins and U-Roy.

Also in the film are musicians Gladdy Anderson, Hux Brown, Sly Dunbar, Lloyd Parkes, Jackie Jackson, Headley Bennett, Glen DaCosta, Vin Gordon, David Madden and Bongo Herman.

Link to the story

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Skatalites Article in MOJO Mag

Posted on February 24th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: news.

It’s well over a year old, but it’s news to me. This MOJO Magazine article covers the Skatalites from the Alpha Boys School up to their current legacy in JA. There’s even a special insert covering Don Drummond’s sad story, specifically.

It’s in PDF format and hosted by skatalites.com - Link to PDF

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Hoodska Explosion are Israel Ska

Posted on February 2nd, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: news.

It is not surprising that Tel Aviv has it’s very own Ska group , what’s surprising is that they are so good. Hoodska Explosion aren’t Ska-Punk formula pushers, in fact, each of the 4 tracks found on their MySpace page show a wide range of influence. Tracks, Misleading and Cigarette, hint that the band listens to a lot of Firebug and Victor Rice, while The Whistle finds Hoodska in a late ’80’s Game Show Ska kind-of-mood. They’ve got songs in English and Hebrew, and they boast that their sound incorporates elements of Polka, Klezmer, and American Jazz. Truly, music for the world. LINK

1 comment.

New Dub Trio

Posted on January 29th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: dub, news, video.

The word from Dub Trio is that their new album, Another Sound is Dying, is in stores today! I haven’t yet gotten my hands on a copy, but the last album was such a surprise to me, and their sound is so fresh; I’m sure I’ll go ape shit for it.

Here’s a couple of extended live videos from WoozyFly.com

VIDEOS REMOVED

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Ruggiero Interviewed for Music With Soul Records

Posted on January 10th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: interviews, news, video.

I just got hip to an eight-part interview with Vic Ruggiero from his last trip to the Netherlands. The series of vids is credited to Music With Soul Records, but I can’t find any information on them what-so-ever. What I can tell you is that the host of the interviews, Alex, does a great job despite a slight language barrier. It’s Vic relaxed and happy- playing his guitar and talking about music and family. There’s even a little insight into a few Slackers songs.

Links:

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III
• Part IV
• Part V
• Part VI
• Part VII
• Part VIII

So I need to give a shout out to my listeners in Holland! Like my new pal Baldy84, who’s music collection covers current European Ska, Mid-West US Ska, and tons of classic compilations. So thanks not only for the tracks but for pointing out another place where I have a few subscribers.

And thanks to Chris for leading me to these videos.

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