The Uptones – “Bad Men Of Bodie” mp3
A fine gold-country ska nugget from The Uptones. Jeanne Geiger’s trombone solo always brings down the house when they perform this song live. From the Skankin’ Foolz Unite! CD, on Fun Fun Fun Recordings. They even put my ska doggie mug on the front cover!
Toots and the Maytals – “Pressure Drop (live)” mp3
The one, the only, the original, the champion, the last man standing, and the greatest singer in any ska band living or dead, Toots, ladies and gentlemen, and the Maytals. Live and direct performance, a slightly poppier take than the original, and very suitable for skanking. Buster not only approves, he piddles himself.
Unsteady is such a fine name for a ska band. And this song rocks the ska from Godzilla’s stomping ground all the way to sunny skalifornia. What could be better? Download and surf this, ska peeps.
Zen Baseballbat – “I Am The Champion Concrete Mixer” mp3
How many bands would think to write a song called “I Am The Champion Concrete Mixer”? But one, dears, only but one: Zen Baseballbat is the only group on earth capable of such a feat.
A ruff and tuff ride thru rudieville with the UK’s Maroon Town. Ska instrumental rocksteady for yr ready heady, Freddie. Buster approved.
The Selecter – “Cruel Britannia” mp3
Deep into a UK swath of this mighty ska playlist we find The Selecter. I’ve seen a lot of ska bands in my life. I’ve seen audiences worked up into every sort of skanking frenzy imaginable. But there really isn’t much you can compare with the effect of a Selecter set. Doesn’t take them but a minute to get the crowd goin’ and after a half hour the damn building is raining sweat. After their encore if you are still alive your entire life has changed for the better. Here’s a later hit from the band that got its start as one side of Two-Tone records’ very first single, b/w The Specials’ Gangsters. Download and worship.
Continuing my UK ska flight here we find goof-poppers Spunge expounding on their true desire in life, to be like their idols. It’s an honest song about something we all should aspire to in some way, yes? Plus, what a catchy little number =) Enjoy.
Bad Manners – “Non Shrewd” mp3
And the heir apparent to Judge Dread’s naughty quirky UK take on the rude ska riddims, is the one, the only Buster Bloodvessel, lead singer and fearless leader of Bad Manners. Playing nearly non-stop since the Two-Tone explosion in the late 70′s, Bad Manners has been something of a school for many aspiring young ska horn players, guitarists, drummies, you name it. Through it all the great lip up fatty himself held it together. I have been asked, “Buster the ska doggie, are you named after Buster Bloodvessel, or Prince Buster?” Keep guessing! And skank til u drop 
UK’s original rude bwoi Judge Dread holds forth and the little ska kittehs all gather in a circle at his feet. This guys was doing ska in England before the Specials, and ladies and gents, the list of people who can say that is very short indeed. Skankitup.
Without the roots, there would be no ska fruits! The links below lead to a treasure trove of great mp3s of vinyl 78 RPM records.
Big Band /Swing
Broadway/Show Tunes
Country/Folk
Delta Blues
Folk/Country Blues
Gospel
Irish/Folk
Jug Band Blues
Memphis Blues
Orchestral Jazz/Blues
Piano Blues
Public Domain MP3s
Ragtime
Vaudeville
World Blues
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