Ska Online: The World Loves JA Music

Posted on August 20th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: Ska Online.

I can’t believe how many times I’ve heard a great NPR or PRI story that covers Jamaican music recently.  That’s National Public Radio and Public Radio International, for those that aren’t hip.  This time around, The World, an afternoon world news program presented by PRI and BBC World News, sent their host down to Jamaica to file a few reports on the regions musical history.

It’s clear that someone behind the story, be it host, Marco Werman, or another producer, loves Jamaican Music.  These stories didn’t cover the recent Dancehall or Reggaeton crazes- the focus is on the old school stuff.  One piece goes back to Alpha Boys School, while another finds Werman on the streets in search of Studio One.

This stuff was nothing new to me and there were a few things said that I don’t think are true- but they were definitely worth a listen if for no other reason than to hear our favorite music being characterized as a vital part of today’s musical framework.

Here’s the links:

Report on Alpha Boys School (Featuring Errol Dunkley!!)

Rise and Fall of Jamaica’s Music Scene

DJ Dice Set List - A reconstruction of an oldies Sound System party, thrown every week in Rae Town, Kingston, JA.

Geo Quiz - Largest City in Jamaica - A total freebie, from what is usually a really hard geography quiz- but with a shout out to Ska.

Related Ska Blah Blah posts (hours of listening within these links):

Dub Online: NPR profiles Reggae Ice Cream Truck

Ska Online: NPR hearts Jamaican Music

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Dub Online: NPR profiles Reggae Ice Cream Truck

Posted on January 4th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: Ska Online, npr.

The spirit of the Sound System is alive and well as evidenced by Aurelito and Shakespeare’s tricked out, 1960’s era ice cream truck. Instead of selling Bomb Pops and poorly designed sherbet on a stick, these LA DJ’s sling cds and spin vinyl for the neighborhood kids.

Get the whole story from this 2004 Day to Day segment. Link

 

Fans of my favorite blog, Boing Boing, might recognize the name in this story’s byline is that of the host of Boing Boing TV, Xeni Jardin. Not only does she have the hottest voice to regularly grace NPR, but she is easily the foxiest of all the BB.net editors. But we love her for her mind, of course. She brings a unique perspective to tech journalism by focusing on the cultural side of science. Yes, I’m a Ska Geek, but I’m also a Geek Geek.

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Ska Online: NPR hearts Jamaican Music

Posted on November 16th, 2007 by JJ Loy.
Categories: Ska Online, obits.


Maybe you are already a fan of NPR. For those of you that aren’t- that’s National Public Radio. Think PBS, only radio. My love of NPR began with shows like Car Talk and This American Life, and has since grown to include the core of Public Radio’s musical programing. Shows like, American Routes and World Cafe offer listeners music and context that steer towards ethnic, traditional and revivalist styles and away from commercial influence.

Links of Interest:

Live Performance:
LIVE NOW: Toots and the Maytals in Concert
Dave Wakeling: Ska and The English Beat
Lily Allen in Concert with The Bird and The Bee
NPR’s All Things Considered: The Slackers
ERNEST RANGLIN

Profiles:
Ska Cubano
Gypsy Punk Group Gogol Bordello in Concert
Fishbone Flies the Black Rock Flag High
Jackie Mitto: Infectious, Philly-Style Soul, by Way of Jamaica
Ska Cubano: A Parallel Musical Universe
Bob Marley’s Music and Magic Endure
Bob Marley and the Culture of Reggae
Music Review: ‘Mento Madness’ from Various Artists
Jamaican Independence Day

Obit:
Desmond Dekker, the ‘King of Ska’
Remembering Reggae Pioneer Coxsone Dodd

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04 - Joey Altruda - Conversations on a Revivalist Movement

Posted on April 2nd, 2007 by JJ Loy.
Categories: interviews, podcasts.


I was back on the phone to LA this episode. This time, to talk to Joey Altruda about his part in the California Trad Ska scene, as the leader of Jump with Joey. Not only has he played with many of Ska’s founders, as my other guests have, Altruda has genuinely befriended his Ska and Jazz mentors. He’s played countless shows with Ernest Ranglin and Plas Johnson, toured with Roland Alphonso, and produced sessions with Coxsone Dodd.

He also discusses the maturation of the LA crowds, and the few things American Ska fans have in common with the original Sound System audiences of yesteryear.

Links of Interest:

- Joey Altruda’s Myspace.
- A video interview with Joey, about a theme song he wrote.
- Amazon Link to Jump With Joey CDs. Mostly used, but cheap. And the buy now feature often links to a local shop somewhere.
- Altruda’s Merch Page
- A wonderful NPR story about Monty Alexander and Ernest Ranglin, with live music and interviews.

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