V.A. Studio One - Scorcher Instrumentals

Today we have something for any lovers of reggae and jazz that may be out there. As any fan of reggae can tell you the Studio One record label is synonymous with some of the best artists and music to come out of Jamaica. One of the greatest assets of Studio One was its amazing selection of instrumental players who would put down tracks in the 1960's and 70's that to this day continue to influence the Jamaican music scene. This included  groups and musicians like The Skatalites, Jackie Mittoo, The Soul Vendors, and Tommy McCook all of  which can be heard on this album. This album does an amazing job of highlighting the amazing instrumental tracks that were produced during the golden age of Jamaican music as well as demonstrating the influence that outside music had on the Jamaican music scene.The influence of jazz will clearly be seen in these tracks. Not to mention tracks like Lester Sterling's - African Beat which is clearly based on the classic Afrikkaan Beat by Bert Kaempfert. Overall this is a great album which I highly recommend as there is no way any music lover could be disappointed with these classic Studio One tracks.


The Skatalites - Coconut Rock
Cedric Im Brooks & The Sound Dimension - Mun Dun Go
The Skatalites & Tommy McCook & Richard Ace - Shockers Rock
The Soul Vendors - Ringo Rock
Jackie Mittoo & Ernest Ranglin - Jericho Skank
New Establishment - The People Skanking
Karl Bryan & The Afrokats - Money Generator
Lester Sterling - Afrikaan Beat
The Sound Dimension - Heavy Rock
Sugar Belly - In Cold Blood
The Skatalites & Don D. Junior - Heavenless
The Soul Vendors - Bugaloo
Vin Gordon - Red Blood
Pablo Black - Push Pull
Jackie Mittoo & Brentford Rockers - Sidewalk Doctor
Liberation Group - Namibia
The Brentford Road All Stars - Last Call
The Soul Defenders - Still Calling
Karl Bryan & Count Ossie - Black 
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Roots of Rock N' Roll 1927-1938

This album is for those who want to explore the deep roots of what we now know as rock n' roll or simply rock music. This album is filled with some great tunes from all the various genres which would combine into rock including jazz, soul, swing, country, blues, and honky tonk. Personal favorite of mine is the Tampa Kid recording of "Baby Please Don't Go" this is one of the earliest recordings of this song which would later become a blues and rock staple. If you like American music and I mean real American music not the stuff that is on the radio nowadays then you have to check out this great album.

CD1
01 - Memphis Jug Band - Sun Brimmers Blues
02 - Allen Brothers - Ain't That Skippin' And Flyin'
03 - Blind Lemon Jefferson - Matchbox
04 - Grayson & Whitter - Train 45
05 - Honolulu Serenaders - Honolulu Stomp
06 - Mississippi John Hurt - Frankie (And Johnny)
07 - Lonnie Johnson - Playing With The Strings
08 - Jelly Roll Morton - Georgia Swing
09 - Henry Thomas - Old Country Stomp
10 - Eddie Lang & Lonnie Johnson - Handful Of Riffs, A
11 - Barbecue Bob - Twistin' Your Stuff
12 - Grayson & Whitter - Tom Dooley
13 - Sleepy John Estes - Milk Cow Blues
14 - Jimmie Noone - You Rascal You
15 - Joe Mccoy & Memphis Minnie - Let's Go To Town
16 - Fort Worth Douboys - Nancy Jane
17 - New Orleans Feetwarmers - I've Found A New Baby
18 - Milton Brown - Talking About You
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 CD2
01. Kokomo Arnold -The Twelves
02. Cleo Brown – Boogie Woogie
03. Boswell Sisters – Rock And Roll
04. Bumble Bee Slim – I’m Needing Someone
05. Milton Brown – Mama Don’t Allow It
06. Milton Brown – Keep A Knockin’                  
07. Louis Armstrong – Swing That Music
08. Hartman’s Heartbreakers – It Feels So Good
09. Harlem Hamfats – She’s Gone Again
10. Tampa Kid – Baby Please Don’t Go
11. Jimmie Davis – Honky Tonk Blues
12. Bob Wills – White Heat
13. Harlem Hamfats – What’s My Baby Doin’?
14. Gene Autry – The Rhythm Of The Range          
15. Django Reinhardt – Stompin’ At Decca
16. Adolph Hofner – Better Quit It Now
17. Larry Adler – I Got Rhythm
18. Sol Hoopii – Fascinating Rhythm
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The Specials - More Specials

More Specials is the second album released by the 1980's 2 tone band The Specials. This album though often overlooked by many contains some great tracks from a cover of the classic Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) to Rat Race which comments on the often dull and fruitless work environment of the typical person. Personal favorites on this album are Stereotype and International Jet Set. Stereotype has a very dark and eerie sound and was written encouraging youth to not fall prey to the pressures of drug use. International Jet Set a mostly instrumental song was supposedly written by the band after their less than successful first US tour. Overall this is a great album that I would really recommend to anyone who enjoys really anything from ska to jazz and I might even say rock and pop music.


   
    1 Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)
    2 Man at C&A
    3 Hey, Little Rich Girl
    4 Do Nothing
    5 Pearl's Cafe
    6 Sock It to 'em J.B.
    7 Stereotypes / Stereotypes, Part 2
    8 Holiday Fortnight
    9 I Can't Stand It
    10 International Jet Set
    11 Enjoy Yourself (reprise)

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Daniel Alvarez - On The Path To Awakening

Daniel is a great guitarist (he taught the author of this blog how to play guitar) and this is his first CD. His music could be considered sort of a cross between rock and jazz and I can say that his music would be enjoyed by anyone who likes either of these two genres. Daniel is a great guy and an even better musician so I really highly recommend anyone to check out his music. And if you enjoy his music that I am posting here support him and buy his CD at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/danielalvarez

1. Like a Million Stars
2. The Search
3. From a Distance
4. No Matter What
5. Pushing the Barriers
6. Yearning Within
7. In The Zone
8. Invisible Things Going Around


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Jackie Mittoo - Last Train to Skaville

Jackie Mittoo one of the most influential and one of the greatest musician to come out of the Jamaican music scene of the 1960's. His instrumental songs would lay the foundation for much of the work that later artists would produce. This album Last Train To Skaville has some great tunes including a Jamaican take on the James Bond theme song and the epic Ska-Culation. If you like reggae, ska, jazz, or just plain good music than this is definitely an album you want to check out.

1. Train To Skaville
2. James Bond
3. Voodoo Moon
4. Ska Shuffle
5. Take Ten
6. Chicken and Booze
7. Honey Pot
8. Mr. Flint
9. Dr. Ring Ding
10. Got My Boogaloo
11. From Russia With Love
12. Ska-culation
13. Home Made
14. Sufferers Choice
15. One Stop
16. Hot and Cold
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The Clash Vanilla Tapes

The legendary Vanilla Tapes are a series of demos by The Clash that were what for the most part would become the famous London Calling album. These demos however for a long time were thought to have completely vanished. The story goes that Clash roadie Johnny Green lost the tapes while on the London Underground and it was not until 2004 that the tapes would resurface when Mick Jones found another copy of them. I recommend these to any Clash fan as they are a great insight into the band. Everything from the cover of Sonny Okosun's Fire in Soweto to the rough versions of classic songs like London Calling and Guns of Brixton.

 1         Hateful           
2         Rudie Can't Fail           
3         Paul's Tune           
4         I'm Not Down           
5         4 Horsemen           
6         Koka Kola, Advertising & Cocaine           
7         Death Or Glory           
8         Lover's Rock           
9         Lonesome Me           
10         The Police Walked In 4 Jazz           
11         Lost In The Supermarket           
12         Up-Toon (Instrumental)           
13         Walking The Slidewalk           
14         Where You Gonna Go (Soweto)       
15         The Man In Me           
16         Remote Control           
17         Working And Waiting           
18         Heart & Mind           
19         Brand New Cadillac       
20         London Calling           
21         Revolution Rock
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