ska

We’re doing our first FOKUS night at our venue MiniMuzikhol tonight. We’ll be watching a reggae documentary first, then me, caglar and ali y. will be playing jamaican music, calypso, ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub and dancehall..

Some oldschool ska/roots music if you feel down.
* Phyllis Dillon – Right Track
* Lennie Hibbert – Sweet Loving
* Prince Buster – Enjoy Yourself
* The Clarendonians – Do Good

Today is the start of the holiday week in Istanbul and to celebrate the holiday spirit here’s the second part of our 5 Star Monday series with all kinds of cheerful bluegrass, ska and world music from Charlie Haden, The Clarendonians, Horst Jankowski et al.

Informed by a post on shimmy shimmy, I realized that Jamaican rocksteady legend Alton Ellis has passed away from cancer. Here are a few of his classics that span over 45 years.

Here’s two cover songs for you today, both found on an excellent compilation called Jazz and Flowers. One is a sorta dnb remix of Karen Aoki’s cover of Smooth Operator and the other is a remake of Gangsta’s Paradise by UK’s Sunlightsquare, called Pastime Square, with a dancehall beat and great lyrics. Check the links below while you’re enjoying the songs..

Here’s a mixed selection of single tracks I have failed to mention in the past months, some have been played on the radioshows as well. First is a trio rendition of Sergio Mendez’ classic Mas Que Nada by the European Jazz Trio.

Gnarrrrrls, these lads are surely doin the right thing.. Here are some amazing live performances on youtube. Lovely guys!
* Gnarls Barkley on MTV Movie Awards dressed as star wars peeps
* Gnarls Barkley on Top of the Pops dressed as sailors
* Gnarls Barkley Live on Conan O’Brien show dressed in bathwear

I was thinking about posting some oldschool ska, because lately I’ve been listening to my old Toasters and Skatalites CDs again and again. Ska is probably a music I’ll always listen, it’s not pretentious, it’s fun, the dance itself is pretty cool and the music is always pleasing and masterful.