Don Drummond - Jazz Ska Attack:1964 [2000]

Drummond was one of the top soloists and most creative musical minds of Jamaica's ska era. His apex came in 1964 when he and fellow Skatalites, like saxophonists Tommy McCook and Roland Alphonso, organist Jackie Mittoo, Lester Sterling, and trumpeter Johnny "Dizzy" Moore, ruled Kingston's musical scene as the virtual house band for producers Clement Dodd, Duke Reid, George Phang, and many others. Drummond's lopey sounding yet technically superb trombone work stood out on all the Skatalites sessions, whether the band was cutting some of its own records or backing numerous singers like Alton Ellis and Delroy Wilson. This fine Drummond roundup on Jet Set brings together many of the trombonist best Skatalites sides from 1964, including such self-penned classics as "Musical Storeroom," "Eastern Standard Time," and "Don-de-Lion." A great introduction to this most talented of Jamaican jazz masters. 

                                                                                Enjoy!

The Baghdaddies - Random Acts Of Kindness [2003]

Touring the world for 14 years, the Baghdaddies’ music is world music with  strong Balkan tendencies alongside Caribbean grooves, Middle Eastern rhythms and even some Geordie [native Newcastle] touches, all awash with influences such as ska, jazz, punk , delivered with theatre and exuberance. Uplifting and infectiously danceable, full of blistering brass, rousing 5 part vocal harmonies and a rhythm section that you can’t keep still to. Songs to listen to and party!
  This album is called Random Acts Of Kindness  and you can't listen to it and not smile. On paper, the lyrics might not aspire to poetry, but the exuberant performance style and musical dexterity brings them to life. Songs like Winter Winds, the title track and 6/8 - We'll Be Late would grace any party. 


                                          

                                                                           Enjoy!

Baildsa - U.S.B. [2011]

The band made in 2007 in Thessaloniki,Greece.As the city  is a passage between the neighbour cultures ,they manage to combine a mix of many different influences as balkan,ska,rock and more  in a well favoured blend.The first (self-released) album came out at 2011.Their sound is lively with clever multi-language lyrics.They cover four traditional songs in an imaginable way ,that let us know they have explored the roots of balkan music ,but they are capable enough to transform it in something new.The title of the album truly represents the feeling of the music.Excellent debut!

                                                                                 Enjoy!

New York Ska Jazz Ensemble - New York Ska Jazz Ensemble [1995]

  The New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble debuts with a strong collection of originals and jazz classics by the likes of Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, and Eddie Harris. Longtime veterans of the ska scene, the Ensemble blends the rhythmic danceability of ska with the improvisation and swing of jazz quite effectively. The results will, of course, infuriate jazz purists, but most ska fans will find the record an exuberant, forward-looking gem. 

                                                    Enjoy!