After the Storm, We're Still Stompin'! (Radio Blogcast #3)

After the storm, I still managed to consolidate and gather several favorite tracks to comfort and rise us in a feel-good state. Today's playlist is a gathering of various rhythms to hum or sing-along with.

Lets begin with Lord Tanamo (aka Joseph Gordon), one of the best songwriters Jamaica has produced. He started out as a Mento star, who then moved to R&B and eventually to Ska. We all enjoy his hits as he leads the vocal tracks of Skatalites for "I'm In The Mood For Ska" and other Skatalites hits. Now at the age of 73, Tanamo still continues to perform live with various ska bands and reggae artists! Now who could beat that? In 2000, together with Dr. Ring Ding & the Senior Allstars, They released the "Best Place in the World" album where a fresh version of "Big Trombone" was included. This upbeat tribute to Don Drummond adds a further fabulous blast from the past. "Who could forget his pulsating beat? Turn it up and you wont be dissapointed! Another classic ska cut in this playlist includes: Doreen Shaffer's "Sugar Sugar". This charming Queen of Jamaican Ska will make you grooving and skanking along with this track, wether on your seat, in your room, on the dancefloor, or wherever it's appropriate to skank. Light but right!

Eastern Standard Time's version of "Dahil Sayo" is a bit crunchier and heavier, but still as good as the classic one. The original Skatalites' sound always have the signature hypnotic sound only they can make. Neighbors also did a version of this Filipino standard song and was included in the first album "Angono Ska Explosion" which the band produced and independently released. Some other Ska favorites on this playlist includes Hepcat's "Mama Used to Say" and The Busters' "Rude Girl" where Neighbors used to cover. I have included some of my friends' favorites that you will surely enjoy too!

Movin' on to reggae and soul, we got some classics too! Starting with The Gladiators' "Chatty Chatty Mouth" from their "Trenchtown Mix Up" album. This album is made up of a mixture of originals and remakes such as Bob Marley's "Soul Rebel". The songs from this album are quite strong but with great consistency. Another Hammond-driven treat is "My Girl" by Glen Adams. This successful keyboard player lifts up the reggae scene with his addictive keyboard tune signatures. He also did some touring with New York's pride, The Slackers. And who can forget Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves"? A well known reggae song first recorded in the Jamaican reggae version in 1976 and then covered in a punk-reggae version with The Clash. Its a song many bands rendered with their own sound. I also remember Indio i playing this song too! That's why I included one of their tracks here, "Earth To Man", really tacky and proudly Pinoy. Bringing reggae music to a new level.

Turning the page to modern bands, you just cant resist the sound of The Impalers' "Uppercut" track! This California based masters are from the line up of veteran musicians from other ska bands such as Skankin' Pickle, Let's Go Bowling, The Rudiments, 78 RPM's and The Inciters. The heart of The Impalers' music lies in the deep traditions of Jamaican music and which I believe is The Aggrolites' female counterpart! Both are taking the very best of 60's and 70's reggae deep grooves!

I'm sure you will enjoy listening to today's playlist. So enough talk now and turn that volume up! Enjoy!


Big Trombone - Lord Tanamo With Dr. Ring-Ding & The Senior Allstars
Chatty Chatty Mouth - The Gladiators
Croaking Lizard - Lee Scratch Perry & The Upsetters
Dahil Sa Iyo - Eastern Standard Time
Driving me mad - The Hotknives
Earth to Man - Indio i
Ganjibus Gorilla - The Boilers
He Wants Me Back - Dance Hall Crashers
I'm Ready For Love - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Mama Used To Say - Hepcat
Mr. Brown - The Donkey Show
Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
My Girl - Glen Adams
Old Pueblo Ska - Dave's Big Deluxe
Police and Thieves - Junior Murvin
Rock And Roll Nightmare - The Coventry Automatics AKA The Specials
Rude Girl - The Busters
Secret Weapon - Dave And Ansel Collins
See Them A Come - Culture
Skatrina - Jump With Joey
Sugar Sugar - Doreen Shaffer
Think It Over - Harvey Averne Dozen
Uppercut - The Impalers
Viva La Ska Revolution - Bad Manners

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