Dutch reggae ska lovers The Upsessions have been slingin’ their own take on early Jamaican pop music since 2005. In that time they’ve amassed an impressive little discography and put on a lot of well received shows in Europa. Here’s one of their studio cuts, a personal fave of mine called “You Done Me Wrong.” Love that bubblin’ organ and be warned – the chorus might stay with you for daze!

Fittingly, I start my set of paw-selected SKA music with an ode to SKA! UK’s marvelous Dub City Rockers lay it down, as Chris Murray – longtime champion of ska music and pioneer of acoustic solo ska – sings the praises of ska. What is not for a ska doggie to love?

Toronto, Canada’s own ska heroes The Planet Smashers, rockin’ it with Neville Staple (yes the Neville Staple) on a killer anthem whose mission is no less than to save the world. It’s a worthy cause this ska doggie can support. Two paws up!

Rudimentally speaking, “Big Boss” by The Rudimentals is some big boss sounds about a big boss. Tight, well arranged horns bust a soulful ska line and the riddim section mashes it ‘tup old skool style, all backing a slew of great vocal lines. Plus a wikkid trombone solo, for extra ska flavour. Pick it up!

I can only go so many ska doggie days without some Aggy’s. Formed originally as a one-off backing band for the legendary Derrick Morgan, The Aggrolites have since become internationally known as one of the tightest ska/reggae bands on the live music scene. Always a great show, go see ‘em when u get the chance. Here’s an early instrumental with their patented “Dirty Reggae” sound. Ah, that sweet Hammond Organ. Great guitar work on this too, and their riddim section can’t be beat. I haz happy.

Christmas!! The Specials, it seems, are sharing a mp3 of their classic take on “A Message To You, Rudy.” How happy can one ska doggie be? Pinch me. No, don’t. I bite. This sooo is awesome! Go see ‘em while the goin’s good. They re-formed after a wee 30 year vacation.

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!

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.

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.