New Mykal Rose Album
Black Uhuru frontman and reggae stalwart Mykal Rose (fka Michael Rose; around 1990 he changed to the Ethiopian spelling of his first name) has been enjoying an especially prolific decade, with a steady string of recent solo albums. The latest, released this month, finds him teaming up with Northern California’s own version of Sly & Robbie, the Red Lions, who provide an authentic and bass-heavy backdrop for Rose’s vocals. Check out the track “My Friend Herb“, along with its’ instrumental dub version, “Tropical Meditation Dub” below (or on our Spotify playlist).
A Good Vintage Reggae Mix
When UK artist Nabiha Iqbal isn’t making her own music, she’s putting her ethnomusicology degree to good use as a resident DJ on London station NTS Radio, where she spins a wide variety of music from around the globe. This past week, she devoted her show entirely to classic reggae, having just returned from a trip to Tokyo with an arm-load of vintage vinyl finds.
The Return of Bobby Bobylon and Ska Authentic
Earlier this year, the North Carolina indie label Yep Roc (home to such artists as Robyn Hitchcock, Nick Lowe and Austin’s own Alejandro Escovedo) struck a deal with Studio One to reissue several rare (and crucial) titles that have been out of print for some time. So far, these have included releases by The Wailers, Don Drummond and the super-rare Money Maker compilation. Also included in the series is Freddie McGregor’s must-have classic, Bobby Bobylon. Released in 1980, it proved a landmark recording for the singer who began his career at Studio One in the 1960s as a member of The Clarendonians at age seven. Yes, age seven. Check out the title track from a then-adult McGregor below, or on our Spotify playlist.
The latest release in the series is an ultra-rare 1964 compilation, Ska Authentic. Showcasing the island’s premier backing band, The Skatalites, along with vocal turns from The Maytals, Delroy Wilson and a young Lee Perry, it is said to be one of the rarest LPs in the Studio One catalog (despite most of the tracks eventually turning up elsewhere). Also included is the male/female duo Andy & Joey with “You’re Wondering Now“, a song covered by The Specials years later.
This week’s Austin Reggae Fest Spotify playlist
Click here to hear the dub sounds we have been listening to the last few days.
