AGGRESSIVELY INFECTIOUS! (Radio Blogcast #7)

This rainy season, we'll give you another blasting set to to make you skank like never before. We will be blasting your ears with the best line up of tracks from our archives. This blogcast #7 is set to introduce you to some of the epic and current reggae/ska fleet, taking over to bring a funky element for your week.


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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RESPECT YOUR GODFATHER (Radio Blogcast #6)

We present this week's blogcast in memory of Laurel Aitken's death anniversary now on its third year; He died July 17, 2005. Widely acknowledged as the 'Godfather of Ska' and affectionately known as "Boss Skinhead", he died of a heart attack at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, England. Aitken was born in Cuba on April 22, 1927 and moved to his father's homeland of Jamaica in 1938. In 1957 he began his recording career with the single "Roll Jordan Roll." The double A-side "Little Sheila" / "Boogie in my Bones" was the first single released on Chris Blackwell's Island Records, one of the first ever ska records, and the first Jamaican recording ever released in England. Aitken relocated to the U.K. and recorded numerous hits throughout the 60s. He was later acknowledged as "an elder statesman to the Two Tone ska revival movement of the punk era".

The 2-Tone era saw Aitken performing with the English Beat, touring with mod band Secret Affair, and backed by punk/reggae act the Ruts. In the 80s, Aitken regularly toured the U.K. and recording with British act Potato 5. In 1986 appeared in mod film Absolute Beginners alongside David Bowie. Throughout the late 90s he performed with several third-wave ska acts, including the Toasters and the New York Ska Jazz Ensemble. In 2003, he was hospitalised with double pneumonia, but recovered better than expected and returned to performing. His last concert was in January 2005. He performed occasional concerts almost until his death from a heart attack in 2005. After a long campaign, a blue plaque in his honour was put up at his Leicester home in 2007.




RADIO BLOGCAST #6:
Jungle Beat - Undercover S.K.A.
Jamboree - Laurel Aitken with Court Jesters Crew
Family Planning - Dolphy & Panchito
Everything Crash - The Ethiopians
Thinking of You (featuring Doreen Schaefer) - The Slackers
The Skinheads Dem A Come - Mr. Symarip
Step Lightly - General Rudie
Skinhead Love Affair - Bad Manners
Skatalation - Rhyth-O-Matics
Shadow Of A Man - Bedouin Soundclash
Sally Brown - Laurel Aitken
Rudi Got Married - Laurel Aitken
Wreck A Pum Pum - Prince Buster & The Aggrolites
Wasted on You - Franceska
Brown eyed girl - Laurel Aitken with Court Jesters Crew
Boogie With The Bartender - Laurel Aitken
Boogie In My Bones - Laurel Aitken
Rescue Me - The Reggae Girls
Magulong Pamilya - Dolphy & Panchito
Mad About You - Laurel Aitken
keep on - Hepcat
Big 5 - Judge Dread

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Lets Have An Independence Day! (RADIO BLOGCAST #5)

We'll take advantage of this weekend to treat you with another festive list of tracks with some originals and some cover songs by your favorite reggae and ska artists! One original song I included here is a song that really caught the ears of many, Its "It Must Be Love", a song that was originally written and recorded in 1971 by an English poet, songwriter and singer, Labi Siffre. This was taken from his "Crying Laughing Loving Lying" album of the same year. And in 1981, Madness did a version of this wonderfully written song and gained much radio airplay in the 80's and the 90s.

Labi Siffre makes a cameo appearance as a violin player in their It Must Be Love music video.





The Specials also did a version of "I Don't Want to See You Cry" which was included in their 1996 album Today's Specials. What I included here is the 1968 version by Ken Boothe. He was just 17 then in '68 when he recorded his first album, "Mr. Rock Steady" from which this track was taken.



And who can forget The Specials' 2-tone hit version of "Rudy, A Message To You"? which was originally by Dandy Livingstone in 1967. The UK 2-Tone movement of the late 70s brought Livingstone to a new audience. Another 2-tone artist, The Selecter is here too, with their "Time Hard" ska rendition. This is my kumpareng Dannyboy's favorite!

Also included here are some requested tracks such as "Hold Me Tight" by Lynn Taitt & The Jets, Laurel Aitken's "Zion City" and "Love" from our own local ska scene pioneers, Put3Ska. Just like our good friend Luis said, "Peborit!" :-)

You'd be surprised to hear Stevie Wonder's "Wondering" track here which packs a good blend of Jazz and Soul recorded in 1962! This track will surely make you jump and dance as you hear Little Stevie's hypnotic keyboards! Pair it with The Dave Davani Four's guitar, drums and hammond rich track "Top Of The Pops" and you're good to go shufflin'!

I wont say much about today's playlist, but all I can say is they're all great! With lots of all-time favorites and good-vibe tunes for all your listening pleasure! Nuff said and play 'em loud!
Enjoy!

RADIO BLOGCAST #5

The Ring - Victor Rice
Top Of The Pops - The Dave Davani Four
Ska-Ra-Van - Roland Alphonso
Golden Love - Lord Creator
Rub A Dub - King Stitt
Hold Me Tight - Lynn Taitt & The Jets
Wondering - Stevie Wonder
Rudy, A Message To You - Dandy Livingstone
Time Hard - The Selecter
Zion City - Laurel Aitken
Masturbation - beNUTS
It's Been A Long Time... Helen - The Deltones
Take Warning - Long Beach Dub All Stars
Love - Put3Ska
It Must Be Love - Labi Siffre
Cry for Me - Deal's Gone Bad
Dance All Night - The Tartans
Living In Fame - The Clash
I Don't Want to See You Cry - Ken Boothe

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Diggin' the Roots (RADIO BLOGCAST #4)

We've got a lot of new and old favorites for you on this 4th Blogcast Playlist! A lot of dusty old soulful tunes and legends of the music we all love. From the dub and reggae backing band of 1970s, the groovin' steady beat of the 60s, up to the name makers of the 80s, 90s and the present -we've got it all covered! We're lookin' back to the roots and we're giving 'em all to you as we start off with The Aggrovators' dub hit "Rocking Jamboree". Their sound is out of this world, with crisp one drops and stuttering echoes with that round, bouncing bass that will rattle your room. The rhythms lean more towards the sunny and bright, easy rocking side of reggae, rather than dark and rootsy, it's good times all throughout!

Jacob Miller's version of "Why Can't We Be Friends" had a unique style, using staccato motifs in counter play with the rhythm section and sounding magnetic. Taken from his 1976 album "Tenement Yard". A year after, Miller joined and signed with Inner Circle with their first album Reggae Thing, followed by Ready for the World. Both Albums achieved international acclaim for hard-driving rhythms. Miller is the uncle of the English-born reggae singer, Maxi Priest.

Ernest Ranglin's "On Higher Ground" is another favorite of mine and one of the few musicians to blend jazz and reggae successfully. No words can describe it. Just listnen to this!

When I was just starting out and in the lower stages of gaining interest in music, one of the first musicians that led me to explore various musical disciplines is The Clash. In fact, their album is one of the first record I bought when I was a kid, and the addiction never stopped. Its is so amazing how lead singer Joe Strummer and the rest of The Clash jumped out of the box and experimented with reggae, funk, rap, dub, rock and roll and rockabilly among other roots musics along with punk rock and really does it well. With Joe Strummer's older band, The 101ers, their "Keys To You Heart" track is a fusion of progressive rock and highly polished hint of early waves of British punk. Very notable. Very Joe Strummer. Reminds me of one local song and wondering if its patterned over this one. :-)

Speaking of The Clash, they also covered The Rulers' 1967 hit, "Wrong 'em Boyo" from their 1979 album London Calling. Far from The Clash's "skaish" version, The Rulers' original version is a rootsy Jamaican Rocksteady, less energetic, more relaxed but the bass is heavier and more prominent. You could just imagine how this sound floods the urban ghettos of Kingston carrying a Jamaican countryside experience together with Hopeton Lewis' "Take It Easy" making you shout "Lets do the rocksteady!"

Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Arthur Conley are some of the best known American Soul singers with lots of hit spots in the Pop and R&B charts. Conley and Redding re-wrote the Sam Cooke song "Yeah Man" into "Sweet Soul Music" and became a massive hit. Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally" is one of his well known classics thats so powerful and raw. Raising the roof with his sweaty and intense 60s Soul voice and making your day complete with Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle" is one treat you can't resist.

Even the current bands of today featured here seems to be trying to look back to the roots of their musical influences. This is pointed up by Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong with his 2007 solo album project "A Poet's Life" which was made in collaboration with Hellcat-signed reggae band The Aggrolites. One track from this album is "Translator". With Tim's signature voice backed by loose, punky, infectious grooves, This is shamelessly danceable. Other rootsy delight from today's playlist includes Madness' version of Chase The Devil", from their Dangermen Sessions album. They seem to be having fun in making this album, and surprisingly done it in a sexy way.

So treat yourself to some classic, old school ska, soul, rocksteady and some infectious dub grooves! Enjoy!


RADIO BLOGCAST #4

Rocking Jamboree - The Aggrovators
Dance All Night - Dr. Ring-Ding & The Senior Allstars
Shame & Sorrow - Moon Invaders
No Woman No Cry - Alphanso Stewart
Ranking Full Stop - Special Beat
Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley
Bartender - The Rude Boys
Murder - The Radiation Kings
Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett
On Higher Ground - Ernest Ranglin
I'm In A Dancing Mood - Delroy Wilson
Jamaica Ska - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
Hard to Handle - Otis Redding
Skinhead - The Loafers
Do the Jerk - Derrick Harriott & The Jiving Juniors
Fire Coal Man - The Wailing Souls
Wrong Em Boyo - The Rulers
The Devil Is Bad - The W's
Why Can't We Be Friends - Jacob Miller
I Chase the Devil - Madness
One Monkey Don't Stop No Show - The Marvels
Take It Easy - Hopeton Lewis
Translator -Tim Armstrong
Sesame Street - Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Keys To Your Heart - The 101'ers
Ska Au-Go-Go - Roland Alphonso & The Soul Bros.

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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

>Download this Playlist<