1963: When Bob Marley was SKA - "Simmer Down" performed with the Wailers and the Skatalites... (Later covered by Smashmouth)...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6tJwlRMSAc

(#18 1965: from this early WAILERS collection!) And check out last Saturday's WORT "Tropical ( Read more... )

(Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BSDZ1DIEIQ

( Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice )

As I've noted, ska first started because tropical islanders could only listen to American R&B on cheap transistor radios, which distorted the sound, eliminating the deeper main beat, I guess, but bringing the back-beat more to the fore.  Therego, Ska wastht born, yey mon!  So - here's a great song, indicating such an evolution, in one moment in ( Read more... )

Here is an absolutely excellent compilation of 1st and 2nd wave ska!  Songs are arranged EXPERTLY - and...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4bLEjiEItM

It really gives you a background on how the band, Madness, not only got its own style of ska - but also its oddball, "off ( Read more... )

( LEAD-IN - Plus a video or two! )

I have posted before, but this is possibly my favourite ska song of all time.  Which is saying a lot, because there are so many good ska songs!  But, this is a classic, and well it should be.  (2nd wave ska - which arrived largely in UK after 1st wave ska evolved into reggae).

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There is a huge Reggae & Ska concert going on in Spain at the moment.  You can stream several stages - live!  Check it out!


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Renowned reggae artist, Jimmy Clliff, has put out his first new album since 2012.  Here is one of the songs from, "Refugee" - check out reggaeville.com.

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This album is a mix of reggae and other music.  If you don't know who Jimmy Cliff is, and you just want to take the short tour, then here is probably his best greatest-hits compilation for you ( Read more... )

( Under a cut for your acknowledged botherances, yo. )

What a cool old song! 40 minutes into hour #2 of World Cafe. "Sheggy"??? I can't believe I missed this song in all my years of skadom. I'll find out more about it when I am online again. Sleeping early. CFS, activity tomorrow, and I can't write when it's so hot in here.