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.