33 1/3 (Free subscription) | 11/14/2009
Popmatters had a great review this week of Terry Edwards' book for the series on Madness' debut album. You can read the whole review here , but here's a taster... *** In addition to his own memories of the time, Edwards spoke to producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, Stiff Records’ Dave Robinson, John Hasler (designated “Minder” on the record sleeve) and Madness members Mike...
Londonist (Free subscription) | 11/09/2009
This week's blogger is Jean-Paul Séculaire who has been documenting London's nightlife, cafes, record shops, bars and more since 2006, including a monthly calendar of club nights. His site, The London Dossier , is "an unapologetically personal guide to all that is cool in the UK's capital city" , a great snapshot of London socialising and full of previews and tips. Describe your blog...
It's Eclectic! It's Eccentric! It's RadioNowhere's... (Free subscription) | 10/26/2009
Botton Brothers' Ghost Train, photographed by Jack Leeson, 14 June 1965 Listen to this episode (to download, ctrl click and 'save target as') Dead - The Poets My Wife and My Dead Wife - Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians El Contrabajo Fantasma - Generoso Jiminez Haunted - Dusty Springfield Ghost Riders in the Sky - Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers Ghosts - Ladytron The Lover's Ghost - US Navy...
Nice Up (Free subscription) | 10/25/2009
The sound system is the bedrock of indigenous Jamaican popular music culture, playing music made in Jamaica long before radio stations decided to give ska and its successors a spin.
Nice Up (Free subscription) | 10/15/2009
Count Ossie died in 1976 when he was just 50 years old and, unfortunately, in the way of many an outstanding Jamaican musician, there has been scant consistent acknowledgement of his contribution.
The BN Village (Free subscription) | 10/11/2009
Why are black people turning to Islam? Black conversion or "reversion" to Islam is not new; it has been taking place in the African diaspora since time immemorial. However, I looked deeper into the phenomenon to find out why a growing number of Black Britons, especially younger ones, are embracing Islam. Although I am not a Muslim, I have always been interested in Islam – three of my...
It Is What It Is (Free subscription) | 10/09/2009
Stereotypes! What are they all about, eh? Terry Hall Out Of The Specials sang about one, but he said he didn't exist. Thanks for that, Terry. Specials social commentary fail. The worst 2-Tone atrocity since Suggs' strange Prince Buster callousness . Damon Albarn sang of how there must be more to life than the stereotypes he was describing, but they weren't real stereotypes, they were more like characters...
The Irish Times (Free subscription) | 08/28/2009
With Madness and The Specials freshly rejuvenated and back on the live circuit, the ska sound is now on its fourth wave of popularity.
The Irish Times (Free subscription) | 08/28/2009
: Madness’s first ever single, “The Prince” was released in August 1979 on the 2 Tone label and was a tribute to the Jamaican ska singer Prince Buster (the band took their name from one of his songs).
Nice Up (Free subscription) | 08/27/2009
In the early years of Jamaica's music business, producers and sound system operators like Arthur 'Duke' Reid and Prince Buster depended on flamboyant figures to get their music out to the public, and keep patrons at dances entertained.
Montecito Heights, Above the City (Free subscription) | 08/19/2009
The main street tagged up cornerblock has a new occupant. After a month of seeing nothing but the blue shower curtain like drapes, the doors finally opened. Anessa moved in and opened a name brand cloths store. If the E doesn't fit, it just doesn't fit. But I applaud them for their handpainted colorful sign! Love this corner. Constantly tagged up. Roaming gimmie money lady. Kids having a blast. Martinez...
shakespeare wuz ere (Free subscription) | 08/13/2009
I’ve often wondered why Buster’s (of the Stratford upon Avon Herald ‘The bottom of budgie cages are our speciality’) voice is muffled, now I know, he’s talking out of his a*** again. This week’s episode has our hero on his way to collect his daily newspaper and sandwich and having to ‘...encounter these people’. These people being the ‘foul mouthed,...
ID in the News (Free subscription) | 08/07/2009
Alan Travis writes in The Guardian: The Home Office has quietly slipped out a major concession on ID cards – for the aristocracy. They are to be allowed their full titles as well as their family names on their identity cards. This blanket privilege will not apply to the rest of us. The new ID card regulations specify [...]
Overflowed Media (Free subscription) | 08/06/2009
Ska special…from Jamaica to the U.K. a tribute to the ska scene in images; soundtrack featuring Derrick Morgan-Forward March, Count Ossie’s Grounation-Cool Breeze, Derrick Morgan-The Hop, Don Drummond-Man In The Street, Prince Buster-Don’t Throw Stones and The Skatalites-Guns Of Navarone. Related Posts Skanking Lesson By Tony Verity JR Writer-CineCrack 1.5-2009 free mixtape DJ X-Factor...
Bearded Magazine (Free subscription) | 08/04/2009
As time rapidly approaches the opening of the second Beachdown Festival on Brighton's lush South Downs, the organisers found time to help out another festival unfortunately falling foul to the 'current economic climate'.
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