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Malambo Ska Band debut EP out now

Malambo Ska Band is a 2-Tone band formed in 2016 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. So far, their songs could be heard only on two compilations issued as part of The Specialized Project (“BOSS” i “Dance Crazy“) and on the compilation “Solo Como Un Hongo” by Argie Pop Records.

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Categories Music Releases

KoNoPiAnS – Bangoraa

Here’s a new clip by Konopians. Song is surely not a very fresh one, it comes from “Mental Skataklism” album released 4 years ago. Yet, it’s still very nice, sweet reggae. Check it out while waiting for some completely new material.

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SKAcowani – 500+

SKAcowani is a Polish band from Cracow and they have a St. Nicholas Day gift for you. It’s a new song and lyrics video. You’d think it’s a nice and jolly occasion, but what they’re singing about touches some serious social topics. 500+ is a name of Polish government’s controversial program granting monthly finantial help to families with kids. Anyway, enjoy.

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The Uppertones – 3 on 1 EP vol. 2

The Uppertones is an Italian trio with famous vocalist and trombonist Mr. T-Bone as a leader. As they are known for quite extensive touring, there’s a good chance you’ve already heard their mix of jamaican R’n’B, calypso, mento and ska. Besides all those gigs guys sometimes decide to visit the studio. Latest effects of that kind of activities are three songs released on a 45.

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Yellow Umbrella – The Weasel

If you’re planning to make use of the winter season and spend some time on the slopes, Yellow Umbrella has a perfect soundtrack for you. A song from “Hooligans Of Love” album recorded two years ago just got a brand new snowboard video.

Categories Events Festivals

Freedom Sounds Christmas Ball #2

It was quite some time ago when Freedom Sounds advanced in my personal festivals ranking to the very top, pretty much number one actually. I’ve had a pleasure to visit Cologne in spring for three consecutive years and every single time I was amazed by perfect organisation and magnificent lineup. Now under “Freedom Sounds” banner Pete and his crew are making a second edition of christmas ball in ska, rocksteady and reggae rhytms, which is definitely one the most interesting propositions to spend good time during pre-Christmas period.

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The Specials – Vote For Me

First single of new album by The Specials, scheduled for february, had its premiere today on BBC Radio 6 Music. Song “Vote For Me” aired after 5pm on Steve Lamacq’s show and it was quite a surprise to me.

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Categories Music Releases

Lollypop Lorry – Ural Station on air

In the middle of Russia, behind Ural mountains, actually almost on border between Europe and Asia, lays a fourth biggest city of the country, Yekaterinburg. Looking at its location, it’s not so hard to think out, that temperatures below 40 degrees Celsius below zero are nothing surprising to anyone there. But that’s exactly the place, where one of most meaningful russian bands playing music originating from sunny Jamaica was formed. I’m talking about Lollypop Lorry here, and there’s a very good reason to mention them right now. Yesterday they’ve released a brand new album titled “Ural Station”.

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Categories Music Releases

A Christmas gift from Roger Rivas

Do you remember the fantastic early reggae Christmas single from Roger Rivas & the Brothers of Reggae released in 2015? He did it again! Roger returns with two instrumental hot shots of early/skinhead reggae.

Reggae music added to UNESCO Cultural Heritage List

UNESCO, the cultural agency of the United Nations, annually adds new entries to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Categories Events Reports

Gdańsk Ska Jamboree – that’s the kind of festival we need

Last weekend was gonna be great and I knew that way before it started. First Gdańsk Ska Jamboree was already fantastic and for its second edition promoters planned so much great bands from abroad, that it was even remotely imposssible to imagine, that something could go wrong.

Categories Galleries

Gdańsk Ska Jamboree 2018 – saturday

Our correspondent was able to take few spontaneous shots during second day of Gdańsk Ska Jamboree.

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Masons Arms – Wunderbar

Masons Arms from Cologne published their new video today. “Wunderbar” promotes group’s third album.

Yellow Cap’s new album is coming this month

This year, the German band Yellow Cap celebrates its 20th anniversary. On 30 November, the band’s jubilee album will be released by one of the most famous European ska label, Pork Pie.

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Categories Artists Music

Jamaican ska reggae singer Floyd Lloyd dead at 70

Jamaican ska and reggae musician, singer and songwriter Floyd Lloyd passed away at the St. Ann’s Bay hospital on Tuesday, November 6. He was 70 years old. An artist’s representative told Urban Islandz 

He was sick for a while but didn’t make it public so the news may come as a shock to his fans.

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Categories Artists Music

R.I.P. Trevor McNaughton

Another legend passed away. Founder of The Melodians died yesterday at the age of 77 years. He was the last living original band’s member.

Skank Ranger’s colors on vinyl

If you haven’t already had an occasion to make yourself familiar with Skank Ranger activities, the upcoming premiere of his new 7″ is your perfect chance. This time the hero of this text has got down to a polish hc-punk classic – “Kolory” (Colors) by Post Regiment.

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The Specials announce new album

British 2-tone icons The Specials have announced their first album of original material in two decades. The band will release the new LP called Encore on February 1st, 2019 via UMC/Island.

Encore  will be the band’s first album of new material since 1998’s Guilty ‘Til Proved Innocent!. The lineup for the band on the Encore is Lynval Golding, Terry Hall and Horace Panter, along with drummer Kenrick Rowe and guitarist Steve Cradock. It’s  the first time that founding members Panter,  Golding and  Hall have recorded together since 1981’s UK number one single Ghost Town.

Categories Events Festivals

Gdańsk Ska Jamboree vol. 2

There’s not a lot of events in Poland, which you could proudly call a ska-festival. During the years there were a few initiatives of that kind, but usually they weren’t able to stay for its second, and surely not the third edition. In this context what looks extremely optimistic is Gdańsk Ska Jamboree. Its second edition is gonna take place this weekend.

10 songs for 100 years of Polish Independence

Last Sunday in Poland we celebrated the 100th anniversary of regaining our country’s independence. That’s the perfect occasion to launch upon the high, international seas and to showcase our website to the rest of the world.

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Categories Music Releases

Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos – Rockstone

It’s the release you don’t want to miss. Junior Thomas aka Thomas McDowall was born in Minneapolis. After moving to California, with help of musician and producer Brian Dixon he formed a 10-men band The Volcanos and devoted himself to recording beautiful, melodic tunes refering to the golden era of rocksteady.  In effect in 2005 an absolutely perfect album “Beware” was created. After three years guys went with the punch and on  October 18th “Rockstone” came out.

Categories Interviews

Reggae Workers of the World: It’s a really funny creative process

In USA attitude to Jamaican music depends on which coast you live on (or perhaps on how much sun you get during the year). In California musical nerds strip away Treasure Isle and Studio One music to recreate it perfectly. In New York musicians write great songs by intuition or trial & error. From connecting both these worlds Reggae Workers Of The World emerged. Alongside Jesse Wagner from The Agrrolites and Vic Ruggiero from The Slackers there’s also Nico Léonard from The Moon Invaders throwing in his two euro-cents. Their second album “R.W.W. II” was released in May by Nico’s label, Badasonic Records. For this occasion they went touring in Europe.

The Statement – The Backseat Driver

Swedish ska band The Statement will release a new single entitled ”The Backseat Driver” in exactly 1 month. A follow-up on the EP ”Checking In” (2017) and a taste of the forthcoming album (scheduled for 2019).

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Sentimental Moods feat. VOCALS

Sentimental Moods is an instrumental ska band from Jakarta, Indonesia. They’re formed in 2009 and released 2 LPs, 4 EPs, and singles. On 13th October, 2018 (International Cassette Store Day) the band – in collaboration with Doggy House Records – released EP “Sentimental Moods feat. VOCALS”. EP was released in physical form only on the cassette.

Categories Events Gigs

The Offenders tour in Poland

The Offenders are coming to Poland next week for 5 gigs. Band was created in Italy in the end of 2005. When they released their first album “Hooligan Reggae”, they had no idea, that in future it’ll be considered european ska scene classic.

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Eli Paperboy Reed feat. Big Daddy Kane – 99 Cent Dreams

Watch the new Eli Paperboy Reed video for “99 Cent Dreams” featuring legendary Hip-Hop pioneer Big Daddy Kane. Soul music and hip hop? Why not..

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Categories Announcements

Michał Gawlicz died

Sad news. Michał Gawlicz died, he was 39 years old. Michał has been associated with Polish ska and reggae music for many years.

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You Can’t Have All of Me – new Reel Big Fish video

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Rocksteady Sporting Club raising money for debut album

Do you know the Rocksteady Sporting Club? RSC is a great rocksteady/ska band from Reunion Island (one of the overseas departments of France), between Madagascar and Mauritius. The band was founded in 2003. To date, band’s discography is just three singles released by Maudit Tangue Label rock péi on limited 7-inch vinyls. After 15 years of activity the band decided to release their debut album, entitled “Holy Soul – Backyard Diaries”.

Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records – O.S.T

It is now available on CD and digital – soundtrack to “Rudeboy: The Story Of Trojan Records” documentary film, which had its worldwide premiere 2 days ago at the BFI London Film Festival.

Additional info to all you vinyl lovers out there: 2LP gatefold version is gonna be out on October 26th.