Kicking off for this blogcast is a renowned rocksteady harmony that will invite you to rip up the dancefloor with their unstoppable sound - The Gaylads. Formerly known as the Gaylords, they were formed in 1963 and recorded for Studio One and released two albums, The Soul Beat and Sunshine Is Golden and several other albums from other labels and with shifting line ups. As some members began to work with other groups, their activities ground to a temporary halt, but returned in force with the hit "Stop Making Love" which became a regular fixture in 1966. This pulling track is one of the most regarded as The Gaylads' winner track.
Covered by Bad Manners in 1993 (Fat Sound) and also by our very own Neighbors in one of their independently released albums (this and other Neighbors albums we will feature in upcoming blogcasts), this track has become an essential rocksteady must-haves as is it being included in most Studio One's Ska & Rocksteady compilation albums such as Ska Bonanza and Club Ska '67. These Studio One compilations are really great additions to your music collection. These are some of the first albums I got from HMV Hongkong many many years ago. Too bad they don't have the same pile of good stuff in there anymore.
Ska Bonanza is a 2-disc compilation album which includes tracks from Skatalites, Ken Boothe, Stranger Cole, Roland Alphonso, Soul Venders, Rita Marley/The Wailers, Cornell Campbell, Roland Alphonso, Eric 'Monty' Morris, Owen Grey, Clue J and His Blues Blasters, Frank Anderson, Tommy Mc Cook, Lee Perry, Lester Sterling, Checkmates, Bunny and Skitter, Jiving Juniors, Allen Ellis, Eddie Parkins, Audrey Adams, Jackie Opel and many more. While the "Club Ska '67" is another decent collection for novices to the genre. The best being some of the more well-known ska tunes such as Desmond Dekker's "007" (Shanty Town), Delroy Wilson's more laid-back "Dancing Mood," and The Maytals' "Broadway Jungle." All of the tracks here were recorded between 1964 and 1967, so the sound leaves a bit to be desired. Although Club Ska '67 only consists of 13 classic ska tracks, its fair enough to firmly say "walang tapon."
Go get these albums!
Another good compilation album which includes a local band Brownbeat All-Stars' "Hunger" is the "Global Ska" compilation album. I got this 2-disc modern and third wave ska compilation from our good friend Myra (a.ka. Skarlet) herself. I was surprised when she told me their Hunger track was included in this compilation when she let me borrow this album from her. Hats off and delighted to see one our local acts runs side by side here with some of the greatest in the ska scene such as Hepcat, Rico Rodriguez, The Slackers, Laurel Aitken, Lord Tanamo, Mark Foggo, The Planet Smashers, Dr. Ring-Ding and other awesome artists from various parts of the world! Great album! 2-disc, 40 tracks.
Meanwhile, pulling out all the stops are The Aggrolites with their "Free Time" masterpiece thats playing an astounding airplay on some influential alternative music stations as well as numerous reggae specialty programs abroad. Taken from their 2007 "Reggae Hit LA" album, this album is guaranteed to raise the roof from start to finish. Made up of some of the most soulful music around and coined by Hellcat Records as one of the world's hardest working bands with serious talent to boot, they have crafted the perfect out of town album. They have rooted their music from tradition making it soulful, honest and true. Just like some say, "boses pa lang, ulam na." Jesse Wagner truly bears an authentic R&B torch thats so explosive and really delivers a bang. Their sound is a mix old school reggae with rock, soul and funk. Imagine fusing together the music of The Meters, Toots & the Maytals and The Clash. The resulting sound is a thick blend of rhythm and melody, an infectious sound called "dirty reggae." If I have to rate Reggae Hit L.A. from one to five, this one is definitely a five! -and same with their other releases. Over the six years of their existence, they have produced three albums so far: Dirty Reggae, Axe Records, 2003; The Aggrolites, Hellcat Records, 2006 and Reggae Hit L.A., Hellcat Records, 2007. All of which are sure providers of good infectious dance floor rocking fun! The band's name comes from the British slang term aggro, which is short for aggravation or aggression (often referring to violence) often heard on the football terraces of the 1970's "A.G, A.G.R, A.G.R.O, Aggro!"
Other tracks on this playlist taken from:
Enjoy!
RADIO BLOGCAST #7
Carolina - Rico Rodriguez
El Pussy Cat - Mongo Santamaria
Happy Hour - Spunge
Free Time - The Aggrolites
Off On Holiday - Suggs
A Fine Romance - Skinnerbox
Two Joints - The Rudiments
Red Red Wine - Tony Tribe
54-46 That's My Number - The Maytals
These Boots Are Made For Walking - Symarip
Ex-Factor - Monster
What'cha Gonna Do About It_ - Small Faces
Freedom Street - Monty Alexander with Ernest Ranglin
Hunger - The Brownbeat All-Stars
You're Ready Now - Bobby Bennett
You're The Boss - Lavern Baker & Jimmy Ricks
The Prince - The Crooked Beat
Stop Making Love - The Gaylads
Almost Like Being In Love - Afterhours feat. Alex Desert
Exodus - Jazz Jamaica
Armagideon Time - The Clash
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