Thanks for checking out another episode of Ska’s The Limit!  Last night was a blast!  I can’t believe how good the requests that have been coming in are.  For a while there, all the phone calls were requestion RBF and other such nonsense- but last night I got calls for The Aggrolites, The Slackers and The Specials.  Heavy sounds to say the least.

Brand new tracks from Mos Dub, Mustard Plug, Sharon Jones w/Roger Rivas, and Babyhead rounded off an otherwise mixed bag of Ska, Reggae and Rocksteady.  Check out the links below for videos, fun info, and even a few free downloads-

If you missed the show, you can always check out KDHX.org, where the episode will be available for the next two weeks.

 

Downbeat Alley – Django Kill – Downbeat Alley EP – Avex Trax

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Pama International – Greatest Show On Earth – Too Many Freaks – Rockers Revolt

Desmond Dekker – Fu Manchu – Rockin’ Steady – Rhino / Wea – [A D. Dekker tribute album is in the works, check out this behind-the-scenes look at this Aggrolites sponsored project]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Deal’s Gone Bad – Messin’ Around – Live At The Bottom Lounge ’08 – Live Recording – [Here's a not-so-high quality video of this very tune]

The Aggrolites – Free Time – Reggae Hit LA – Hellcat+

Green Room Rockers – Confession – WFHB Fund Drive ’10 – WFHB

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Mr. T-Bone and The Young Lions – The President Of The Republic of Bananas – Heroes – Rude Boy Corner

Mark Foggo – Married A Monkey – Haircut – Raoul Records

The Specials – Skinhead Moonstomp – The Best of Ska Live – Mci+

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Dave Hillyard and The Rocksteady 7 – Soul Thing For Ray – Get Back Up! – Whatevski

Mustard Plug – Aye Aye Aye – Digi Single – Promo/Self – [Mustard Plug has a brand new hit and they're giving it away for free!]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Mos Def vs The Slickers vs Max Tannone – Johnny Too Beef – Mos Dub – Self

Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings vs Roger Rivas – Keep On Looking (Reggae Rog Remix) – Digi Single – Self – [I was going to link directly to the free download of this track, but the Musical Occupation link has so many more...  links!]

Deal’s Gone Bad – The Cost – The Ramblers – Megalith

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Jackie Edwards – Sea Cruise – Ska At The Jamaican Playboy Club – Island

Clarence Curvan & His Mod Sounds – Calypsoul – Calypsoul 70 – Strut – [Marco Werman, of PRI's The World, has excellent taste in music, as evidenced by this review of Calysoul 70]

On Your Marx – Don’t Let Me Go Solo – EP – Self – [On Your Marx is the latest Chicago group that demands your attention]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Lionsclub feat. Mark Foggo – Fireball XL5 – The Spirit of Ska – 20 Year Edition – Pork Pie

Ernest Ranglin – Exodus Ska – Ska at The Jamaican Playboy Club – Island – [Give Ranglin Glory]

The Slackers – Sarah 2004 – Split – Do Tell+

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Joe Jackson – One More Time – Look Sharp! – A&M

The Toasters – Haitian Frustration – Thrill Me Up – Moon Ska – [This and many other early-Toasters tracks feature the vocals of The Unity 2.  Follow this link to learn more about this little-know piece of NY Ska history.]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

The Selecter feat Prince Buster and Lester Sterling – Rough Rider – Ska Giants – Cleopatra

Bigger Thomas – Matinee Idol – Pure – Unreleased – [The Brand New Bigger Thomas record is their best work to date, in my humble opinion]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Lord Mike and The Dirty Calypsonians – Sweet Lord Mike – Jump Up’s Carribean Sundown – Jump Up!

Johnny Cakes and The Four Horseman – Long Island Ice Tea – In The Butt EP – White

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Babyhead – Jungle Law – Digi Single – Self – [Find out why Duff Guide To Ska is calling Babyhead, "the future of Ska music."]

Rude Bones – Another Sun – Rude Bones and The Downstairs Sessions – White

Key:  Artist – Title – Album -   +=Request *=New
[Notes]

Share

We had a huge storm come through St. Louis, last night.  It knocked out some of the equipment down at the Magnolia Stuidos, but we were back up and running by the time Ska’s The Limit went on air.  I got several reports that my voice was not coming through on the online stream,  so I’m not sure how the archived episode will sound.   But that’s just my voice, the music was coming through loud and clear.  Who knows, maybe the show is better without my commentary  ;)

 

All of this aside, I was very happy with the music and I had a great time spinning the tunes for you.   I played as much of the new Slackers’ record, The Great Rocksteady Swindle, as the law will allow-  as well as tons of summer-ific rocksteady and reggae tracks.  Check out the archived stream from the KDHX Program Page for the next two weeks.

Sao Paulo Ska Jazz – 220 – Sao Paulo Ska Jazz – Radiola

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra – Routine Melodies – Paradise Blue – Avex Trax – [Here's a fun video for this very track]

The Slackers – The Same Everyday – The Great Rocksteady Swindle – Hellcat/Whatevski

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

The Three Tops – It’s Raining – The Trojan Story – Treasure Isle/Trojan – [This track made 98 on Dance Crashers Top 100 Rockstead Tunes]

The Aggrolites – Reggae Summertime – The Aggrolites IV – Hellcat

Walt Jabsco feat Andy Keys Clark – Liquidizer – Digi Single – Self

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Prince Buster – Tenderness Medly – She Was A Rough Rider – Prince Buster

Dr. Ring-Ding – (Want Me) Money Back – Dandimite – Moon Ska

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Phillis Dillon – Long Time – Selected Hits – Charly Records

Bob Marley and The Wailers – Rocking Steady – One Love At Studio One – Studio One/Heartbeat – [Pitchfork gives the scoop on this fantastic ska/rocksteady reissue]

Pressure Cooker – You’re The One – What She Wants – Jump Up!

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – Mama Don’t Like My Man – I Learned The Hard Way – Daptone – [The new Sharon Jones?  Get it!]

Babylove and The Van Dangos feat Coolie Ranx – Big Baboon – Lovers Choice – Lovers Choice Records – [This Danish group has been making quite a name for themselves, working with the likes of Victor Rice and Chris Murray, you'll be hearing more from them in the coming months.  Check 'em out!]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

The Slackers – Because – The Great Rocksteady Swindle – Hellcat

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

The Upsessions – Backstabber – Beat You Reggae – Liquidator

Bob Marley & The Wailers – Hooligan Ska – One Love at Studio One – Studio One/Heartbeat

Ska Cubano – Ska Cubano – Ska Cubano – Indie Europe/Zoom

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Alozade and Hollow Point – Under Mi Sensi – 600% Dynamite – Soul Jazz

Mr Vegas and Jovie Rockwell – You’re Gonna Need Me – Hot It Up – Delicious Vinyl

Deal’s Gone Bad – Keys – The Ramblers – Jump Up! – [DGB is returning to The STL in May]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

The Caroloregians – Twice As Happy – Pum Pum Hotel – Phantom Sound & Vision

Desmond Dekker – Hypopotomus – King of Ska – Heartbeat

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Go Jimmy Go – Bang The Skillet – Slow Time – Moon Room Records

Rude Pressures – Blues – Always – DIW

Westbound Train – When I Die – Transitions – Hellcat

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

The Slackers – Tool Shed – The Great Rocksteady Swindle – Hellcat/Whatevski – [You can get The Slackers' new record via Interpunk, iTunes, Amazon and the usual spots... but I prefer the digital download and Bonus Fun Pack that Whatevski offers]

Dave Hillyard and The Rocksteady Seven – Ethiopian Melody – Way Out East – Brixton

Key:  Artist – Title – Album -   +=Request *=New
[Notes]

Share

If you were with us, last night, you heard a plethora of various Ska sub-genres.  I was playing popular Ska styles like, Latin Ska, Acoustic Ska and Cowboy Ska- as well as little-known branch themes like, Pirate Ska and the House Music inspired, Skacid.  Check out the playlist below, and the fun links that I’ve added to them.

If you missed any or all of the show and you want to check it out, click on over to KDHX.org and have a listen.  As always, the show will be up for two weeks.

Matt Wixson – Ska’s The Limit Theme -  -

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

The Aquabats – Martian Girl – The Fury of The Aquabats – Time Bomb

The Slackers – Robots – Boss Harmony Sessions – Special Potato

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Dan Pothast – My Favorite Song – Eyeballs – Asian Man

Chris Murray – I Can’t Wait – NA – Live Recording

The Slackers – I’d Rather Die Happy – Peculiar – Hellcat

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

The Granville Williams Orchestra – Honky Tonk Ska – Trojan Ska Box – Trojan – [I've never been able to find out much about this group, other than a handful of early Ska Novelties]

The Cabrians – Bang Bang Shot – For A Few Pussies More – Redstar73

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

The Selecter – James Bond – BBC Sessions Live at The Paris Theatre ’79 – BBC

Bluekilla – Secret Agent Man – Ska Is Our Business – Pork Pie

The Kingpins – Beatgirl – Skarmageddon 4 – Moon Ska

Tommy McCook – Goldfinger – Tribute to Tommy – Heartbeat

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Parka Kings – Midnight Sails – Bienvendios – Jump Up!

Warsaw – Monkey Bone – Battle Ska Galactica – Invisible Mass

Deals Gone Bad – Pirates – Skarmageddon 4 – Moon Ska – [Check out this vintage video of DGB doing the Pirate thing]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Ska Cubano – Ay Caramba! – Ay Caramba! – Cumbancha

Jump With Joey – Undecided – Swingin Ska Goes South of The Boarder – Will – [If you like Latin-influenced Ska, you'd do good to check out this record right here]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Desorden Publico – Baila Mi Cha Cha Ska – Estrellas Del Caos – RADIO PIRATA

Laurel Aitken – Perfidia – Latin Ska Vol 1 – Moon Ska – [Please, please, please get to know the Godfather of Ska]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Zeda’s Beat Box – Havenu Shalom Aleichem – Seven – Self – [This St. Louis Jewish Ska and Reggae group's MySpace]

King Django – Ska Mitzvah – Roots and Culture – Stubborn

Matisyahu – Chop ‘Em Down – Live At Stubbs – Or Music

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Johnny Moore – South China Sea – Ska Down Jamaica Way Vol 7 – Top Deck/Warner Special Marketing – [Produced by Chinese-Jamaican, Justin Yap, who ran the killer Top Deck studio]

Don Drummond & The Skatalites – Chinatown – Top Deck Ska 45′s – Top Deck/Warner Special Marketing – [It's unfortunate that most of the info available on Yap is in his obituary]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

The Scofflaws – Rumanian Ska – Record of Convictions – Moon Ska

Pannonia Allstar Ska Orchestra – Skattila – Feel The Riddim! – Megalith – [I honestly cannot find a legitimate link for purchase, but a Google search brings up lot of illegal alternatives.]

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Fishbone – Ma & Pa – Truth and Soul – CBS

Mealticket – Defunct – Misconceptions – Pork and Beans

——– – ——– – ——– – ——–

Longsy D – Mental Ska – Ska Beats – [Marco On The Bass has a great post about this strange ska splinter style, Skacid or Acid House Ska]

Swagga – Rude Boys – Swagga – Self

Key:  Artist – Title – Album -   +=Request *=New
[Notes]

Share