Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Sites | Writers | Advertise | My Orble | Login

Reggae - A daily blog

Reggae - July 2006

The Slackers

July 31st 2006 12:42
I had my first day of prac teaching today. Well kind of. It was my first day of being called Mr Smyth at a school. I won’t actually be able to teach a class for a few weeks, but I am exhausted from today’s experience anyway. The point is, I am doing something different with today’s blog. I say different, but I have done it a few times. Youtube video is below.

The band is The Slackers with a song called Have the Time. They are a great traditional ska and reggae band from New York. I’ve loved them for some years now though haven’t really listened to them lately so I thought I would throw in a video of theirs. If you are in the USA or Europe you would have seen this band more than likely, but here in Australia one must make use of records. I’ve thrown The Slackers into DJ sets without clearing the floor of traditionalist Nazis, which suggests they must be good. Authentic, but offering something of their own as well.



42
Vote
Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Artists
   


The Dualers – Melting Pot

July 28th 2006 07:58
The Dualers
Just come across these guys and their story fascinates me. They have a great heritage with their father running a sound system in London in the 1960s. Their mother and father would be playing ska and soul so it isn’t surprising that Tyber and Si, the two brothers who make up the Dualers, would go on to play this music.


I say play this music, but they aren’t merely playing it as part of a band in pubs and as part of festivals, having a record company looking after records and all that. They have very much paved their own way. They started their performance busking and continue to do so. They have a huge database of fans they get in touch with through whatever means to let them know they are busking. They flog their record while doing this and have sold 35 000 copies of their first two releases just on the street!

In 2004 their song Kiss on the Lips reached number 21 on the UK charts without any radio attention, but just through word of mouth!

Their new album is called Melting Pot and is being received pretty positively. The internet is probably helping them get their music to a wider audience, but there must be something inherently London about the band to have so much success without wider exposure. Just to clarify, the Dualers do pub gigs and festivals and have other bands members to fill out their sound in addition to their busking.

Hear them at: http://www.thedualers.com
Add them to your friends list on My Space: http://www.myspace.com/thedualers
44
Vote
Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Artists
   


VP Records and Reggae Gold

July 27th 2006 08:46
Reggae Gold 2006
I like dancehall. Not so much for the music – though I have great appreciation for certain tracks, but for the culture. I find dancehall culture an interesting social phenomenon. It interests me the direction Jamaican popular culture has gone. I think this is why I am not so into hip hop culture. Although there are many parallels between dancehall and hiphop, one of the differences, and the deciding difference in my case, is that it is Jamaican born and bred, just like ska and reggae.

VP records is one of the big reggae dancehall record labels. Rather than doing mostly reissues of sixties and seventies reggae like Blood & Fire or Trojan, VP is about putting out new records by current artists. Some of the artists on their roster include very big names of roots and dancehall such as Capleton, Beres Hammond, Luciano, Sasha and Lady Saw. They also press LPs too which gets my seal of approval.

They’ve always put out some interesting records and the Gold compilation series is in that. Reggae Gold 2006 is their latest comp, with an obvious fetching cover and a free DVD to match. Some of their top names get on here including Sean Paul with Temperature, R Kelly with Slow Wine and Elephant Man with Gansgter Rock. 18 tracks on the CD in total with talent across the board including the old and the newcomers such as Ding Dong. 13 US Dollars from their website, remembering there is a free DVD is pretty good too.

http://www.vprecords.com
44
Vote
Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Reviews
   


Skorcher! Sydney Ska Reggae Weekender

July 26th 2006 11:44
Skorcher
December 1st, 2nd and 3rd 2006

Though all the details aren’t finalised, I want to announce the dates for the weekender Skorch and Dizzybeat.com are putting on at the end of the year. Due to Mods Mayday not going ahead in 2006, something was necessary to fill the void.

Causing a storm in Melbourne and having received a great reception the first time they were in Sydney, we’re pleased to say the 9 piece act The Ska Vendors will be joining us for the weekend.

Programme of Events:

Friday night, 1st December 2006
45 RPM (or equivalent). Club night with DJs spinning mod, ska, reggae, 2-tone, soul and sixties R&B. Venue TBA.

Saturday night, 2nd December 2006
Venue will be the Empire Hotel, Annandale. 5 band line-up including the Ska Vendors, Backy Skank with more (particularly on the mod side) to be announced.

Sunday afternoon, 3rd December 2006
Skabour Cruise. Join The Ska Vendors, The Signals and a third band TBA on Sydney Harbour for Jamaican sounds with the best backdrop one could ask for.

We also intend to organise a scooter run for the Saturday afternoon and if there is interest, a meet and greet for the Friday.

For ongoing updates keep checking: http://www.dizzybeatnetwork.com/skorcher or e-mail korcher@dizzybeatnetwork.com">skorcher@dizzybeatnetwork.com
45
Vote
Comments (1)Comments (1) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: News
   


Gaz Mayall

July 25th 2006 12:12
gaz mayall
So if you keep your ear to the ground, Gaz Mayall would be familiar to you. If you are selective with that ear though, you may not know the significance of the name. He is one of the key figures in the UK ska, reggae and blues scene. Son of the great British bluesman Jon Mayall, he took on this love for music but forged his own path, helped by the British love for Jamaican music.

In 1980, he began a club called Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues on a Thursday night in Soho, that still runs today! It has had only one venue changes and is London’s longest running weekly club night. The names that have graced the tiny club are as famous as those he grew up in the presence of. Beatles members are from his childhood but the likes of Rico Rodriguez and The Pogues amongst many others are part of the club’s history.
[ Click here to read more ]
40
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Artists
   


Upcoming Firehouse

July 24th 2006 10:10
Stalwarts of Sydney reggae Firehouse return to the Marrquee in Camperdown. For sounsystem reggae dancehall you can't really go past a night like this. Girls and guys will be strutting their stuff on the dancefloor, who knows what you'll pick up. Below are the details and flyer with Melbourne sound Top Ranking joining the Sydney crew.

Firehouse

[ Click here to read more ]
37
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: News
   


Sunsplash 1982

July 21st 2006 06:35
The other day I did a blog about the upcoming Sunsplash. This festival has a huge legacy with all the who’s who of reggae having played the Jamaican festival. This years lineup is fantastic, but I thought I’d have a look back in time to past festivals.

The 1982 Sunsplash was apparently one of the best festivals. It included artists such as Toots and the Maytals, The Gladiators, Israel Vibration, Yellowman and Eek A Mouse. The below video is Eek-A-Mouse performing Ghetto Living. It is a fantastic track, but it also an unusual sight. At the start, take notice how many people are sitting down as Eek is introduced. Also, check out how unenthusiastic the crowd is! It must be very early in the day because they aren’t dancing or anything. Maybe they see Eek a Mouse all the time. One final thing to take notice of is how many people are on the stage! There is a big band yes, but there are heaps of people just standing around. I know there would be people with passes or whatever, but normally they stand at the sides of the stage. I actually love how relaxed the whole thing feels – as though this isn’t anything big. Anyway check it out and learn some patois with Eek A Mouse


[ Click here to read more ]
46
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: History
   


Rhygin Records and the Rhythm Doctors

July 20th 2006 13:38
Rhygin Records


So today I had a press release in my inbox for a new US record label called Rhygin Records http://www.rhyginrecords.com. Their claim is that they are releasing new yet wonderfully authentic sounding records actually on vinyl. Music that sounds like it comes from the sixties and seventies. Top stuff I suppose.
[ Click here to read more ]
44
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: News
   


Pama International Sign to Trojan

July 19th 2006 11:30
Pama International
I consider it to be pretty big news that Trojan has signed its first contemporary artist in years. The signing is the band Pama International, a bit of a who’s who of the UK ska scene, including two former members of The Specials as well as more recent ska stalwarts Finny and Sean Flowerdew (amongst others). They have three much fancied albums already, but this is really a step up for the band. Trojan is possibly the most well known reggae label of all time, but for years they have concentrated on reissues of classic Jamaican artists.

Does this signal a new era for the label? Trojan has strong backing since it became part of the Sanctuary Records Group, but there has been little evidence of going in this direction, which seems a bit more risky than their bread and butter, flog it for all its worth type reissue caper. That said, they have continued to get their name out and about with involvement in London Soundsystem nights. Personally I think it is fantastic and evidence that perhaps they don’t just see reggae as a way of making plenty of cash. Or are they running out of material to reissue? Perhaps sales are down because their boxsets don’t have much more to offer because there are few rarities. Who knows, but I like this signing!
[ Click here to read more ]
42
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: News
   


Club Ska London Venue Saved

July 18th 2006 07:52
Rayners
Rayners
I am pleased to hear the home to one of London’s most prolific ska club’s, Rayner’s Public House, has been saved, for the time being at least. The newest owner’s of this club wanted to knock the place down, but pressure from the music going and music playing communities has meant there has been a grade 2 listing of the property by an appropriate Minister. What this means exactly I am not sure except that it was viewed as culturally and historically important. The building was built in the 1930s and was one of few venues in the area home to live music including ska, jazz and r&b.

My interest falls with ska and reggae and this regular night called Club Ska. Some of the biggest names in this genre performed here, some of who are no longer with us including the wonderful Laurel Aitken.
[ Click here to read more ]
41
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: News
   


Ben Sherman goes too far

July 17th 2006 12:00
Ben Sherman has long been associated with ska and reggae and the subcultures that have supported this music – skinheads and mods. Often it is these people that have helped the brand rather than the other way around and they’ve gone even further now.

It is pretty much common knowledge that Ben Sherman has become shite, the death of the man who started the company, which once was really only available in the UK, is only a memory and they are a company with no clue whatsoever. Terrible loud shirts, little production of the simple traditional style they made their name for and boutique shops staffed by people who knew nothing of the images that were splashed around the stores of mods, skins and scooters.
[ Click here to read more ]
41
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (4)Comments (4) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: News
   


Richie Spice

July 14th 2006 06:13
Richie Spice
Yesterday I mentioned Richie Spice, due to play Jamaica’s Sunsplash in August. I referred to him as an emerging artist, which to me is true I suppose, but he has been around a while now. He was born in 1971 meaning he definitely moved on to long trousers and his bio supports it. It was six years ago that his debut record was released.

Richie Spice is part of a rich musical family. All three of his brothers are reggae performers including Spanner Banner, Snatcher Dogg and the most well known, Pliers of Chaka Demus and Pliers fame. He is well and truly forging his own position in the industry though, evidenced by his inclusion in Sunsplash.
[ Click here to read more ]
38
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Artists
   


Reggae Sunsplash Jamaica

July 13th 2006 12:53
Reggae Sunsplash
The most well known showcase of Jamaican music, Sunsplash, which began in 1978 is fast approaching. The 2006 event will be held from August 3 – 6 in Kingston Jamaica. It will be held at a new venue 200 acres large in St Ann. It will be able to accommodate 150 000 people.

The festival’s reputation would make me want to go in itself, but then you look at the lineup and I start to consider how much money I could scrape together. For me the main one is Ken Boothe, the glorious mr rocksteady is someone I am determined to see. He is just one of 45 acts already listed on the site. In terms of who I want to see you also have Toots and the Maytals.(pleased to say I’ve already seen Toots), Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Bounty Killer and wonderfully Steel Pulse, which pleases me.
[ Click here to read more ]
51
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (14)Comments (14) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: News
   


Reggae and Ska zines

July 12th 2006 11:57
hoi polloi
I am in the process of putting together a new zine (short for magazine). Though the tidal wave that is the web has brought the wonderful e-zine, there is something special about the touchy feely zine that you don’t have with the internet based mag. Having done a couple myself, I know how much longer it takes to produce a print zine than one on the net and for this reason I enjoy them so much because more of the writer comes with the product. Unfortunately printing and distribution costs remain a main obstacle to the self zine provider so print zines are rare. What you often find in this day in age is rather than printing1000 copies and sending them all over the world, zine producers will print some for their place in the world and put them on the web as PDFs for people on the other side of the world to download. Not quite the same, but it’s something and of course totally understandable.

In terms of ska and reggae zines there are a number to look out for. George Marshall, who now runs ST Publishing is one of the most famous zine writers. He did the both very popular Skinhead Times and Zoot zines and more recently though long well dead, Pulped. He is also known for writing the Spirit of ’69 amongst others.
[ Click here to read more ]
44
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Articles
   


Arthur Kay before 2tone

July 11th 2006 12:02
arthur kay
I recently bought as part of a collection, a 45 by artist Arthur Kay, titled Ska Wars. For starters, go and find it. Fantastic tune. It has a British sound, released in1979 in the UK and that I suppose is what I find so interesting.

In 1979, The Specials released Gangsters, which was a huge hit and began a ska revival that was huge in the UK. A number of bands such as Madness, The Beat, The Selecter etc were part of this revival and found great success. Many of these bands are still together.
[ Click here to read more ]
45
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: History
   


Ska Vendors - Vendors' Stew

July 10th 2006 10:06
Ska Vendors
The relatively new Ska Vendors EP arrived at my door today to much anticipation. This Melbourne band has been at it a couple of years and came up to Sydney last year for a few Sydney shows as part of a weekend we put on for them. Top bunch of guys, though with a rotating lineup, like any good ska band, a few different faces playing on this CD than those we saw in Sydney.

The first three songs are those I’ve heard before. The opening track Venors’ Stew is one of their earliest tunes and is extremely catchy. It’s a call to arms or rather the dancefloor, where the anthem-like lyrics read, We are the Ska Vendors all right, We’re coming to your party, we’re gonna make it right. Straight up they tell you what the CD is going to be about, no two ways about it. A bunch of dancing traditional type ska songs with their own little slant is one you are going to get. The second track is Everyday Joe, which is more of the same though not my favourite track and then we have BLT, a nice little Ditty about a family ritual care of lead singer Steve. The fourth track of six is an instrumental, Hoodlum Nightcaps, which both breaks up the CD and is an example of how far the band has come. They are more polished and offer interesting songs. This song is particularly layered, with some excellent guitar work from the great John Holmes and a nice mix of punchy horn lines and solos.
[ Click here to read more ]
49
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Reviews
   


Ali G and Skinheads

July 7th 2006 00:49
Okay so I don’t know how closely connected we can consider Ali G to reggae, but I suppose the Jewish English boy has some Jamaican in his character as Ali G. In the clip below we don’t have the Ali G character, but rather the gay Austrian character taking the piss out of skinheads. Now don’t get me wrong I think the skinhead thing is fantastic – it has a rich connection with reggae music, but I never got this bastardisation, where it became connected with Oi! Music let alone fascist music or some cases both. It is therefore enjoyable to see this bloke take the piss out of some pretty misguided folk. I don’t think it is as humorous as the skits done with the Americans because they tend to show how clueless they can be whereas this skit relies more on misinterpretation.

Sometimes a tangent is a good thing and sometimes you have to laugh at yourself. Enjoy...
[ Click here to read more ]
39
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Articles
   


Bad Manners

July 6th 2006 12:39
Buster Bad Manners
Bad Manners are undeniably one of the most unique bands to fit into the ska and reggae genre. Buster Bloodvessel, the frequently fat frontman with the huge tongue has won over the most sceptical of listeners with his antics. Bad Manners first found fame during the 2-tone era, but like Madness they pursued a different direction, not signing to 2-tone Records at all (where Madness had one release). They did gig often with the other 2-tone bands though and in combination with these other bands, the ska revival was full steam ahead in the UK.

Bad Manners didn’t die with the ska revival though. They were and are a skinhead favourite and continued to gig and release records. The backing band changed, but as long as Buster was up there doing his thing, the Bad Manners train kept on going. As years went on Buster became fatter and fatter. There were occasions when doctors told him he would have to thin down (fatty) or face a premature death. Buster also had controls of the famous Bluebeat label for a time.
[ Click here to read more ]
46
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (1)Comments (1) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Artists
   


Reggae Love Songs

July 5th 2006 23:25
Reggae love songs, or should it be songs of misery? Though I won't get all emotional on you, I'll spell out some songs for both the lovers and those who have lost love. Seek them out as they are all fantastic reggae, rocksteady and ska songs.

Everything I Own - Ken Boothe


[ Click here to read more ]
43
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Articles
   


Blood & Fire Records UK

July 4th 2006 12:56
King Tubby
Blood & Fire Records are another of the prolific record labels reissuing some top quality artists. Where Trojan records are releasing more records from sixties inspired artists in genres such as rocksteady, ska and skinhead reggae, Blood & Fire, also a UK label, are releasing mainly dub, roots and DJ albums.

They are an extremely popular label. Their forum is one of, if not the most, popular reggae forums on the Internet. Another positive of the label, which always makes me happy, is the releasing of vinyl by them taking the form of The Congos and Friends – Fisherman Style. This is not merely for the DJ because don’t you think reggae just sounds better on the wax?
[ Click here to read more ]
46
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Reviews
   


German ska and reggae with Grover Records

July 3rd 2006 13:17
grover
Germany and Europe at large have an extremely strong ska and reggae scene. In a way I suppose the larger population [than Australia] contributes to how strong the scene is, but there also seems certain characters really have a strong passion for Jamaican music, pushing it forward through concert promotion and record production. The strength of the German and European music scene has allowed many Jamaican performers to tour more consistently than if they were limited to their traditional markets of Jamaica, the UK and North America.

Grover Records have long been a stalwart in the German reggae and ska scene, releasing records from local acts and international acts alike. Alongside labels such as Porkpie and Mad Butcher, they have provided a service for bands to get their music out to a receptive public.
[ Click here to read more ]
40
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Glen - Category: Articles
   


More Posts
August 2007
1 Posts
July 2007
8 Posts
June 2007
14 Posts
Older Posts
283 Posts dating from April 2006
Email Subscription
Receive e-mail notifications of new posts on this blog:
[ View Blog Summary ] [ Create A New Post ]
Moderated by Glen
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]