Roots Rock Rebel - 2008 in Review

Roots Rock Rebel
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
10pm-12am
CKUT, 90.3FM, Montreal!

Listen to this week's show



Hello!
As 2008 comes to a close, such is our annual
tradition to run down our top5 ska/reggae cd's
of the year. So fresh off our airwaves, here they are!
Enjoy this week's podcast!

5. Chris Murray Combo - Why so Rude (Unstrictly Roots)

A wonderful collection of songs from the famed one-man ska band, but this
time with a backing band! The rhythm section of drums and bass really
brings  out the shining qualities of Chris' song writing, and it's nice to
see some Jamaican ska classics ("Running around") and King Apparatus
("Michael and Anne") songs reworked here. A must-have for Chris Murray
fans.

4. One Night Band - Hit and Run (Stomp Records)

Taken from my review of Hit and Run here.

"What we have seen around One Night Band is a rebirth of interest in early
reggae and roots-ska music in Montreal, and for many, that can only be a
good thing." A nice development in sound from this top-notch Montreal
band.

3. Crazy Baldhead - The Sound of '69 (Independently released)

Amazing new release from this NYC supergroup, featuring guest vocals from
King Django, Steve Jackson of the Pietasters, Todd Hembrook of Deal's Gone
Bad, Alex Desert of Hepcat, Bucket of the Toasters, and more! While the
idea of doing a cover album can be over-cliche, Crazy Baldhead pulls it
off so well with their favorite songs from the 1960's, done skinhead
reggae style!

2. The Slackers - Self Medication (Indication records)

It's no surprise that the Slackers have made it to our top 5 list for the
last 3 years. They are one of the finest and most hard-working bands in
the ska world, hands down! Last year, "Boss Harmony Sessions" was our #2
release, and the year before that, "Peculiar" topped our list as well.
"Self Medication" is just the latest offering in the career of a brilliant
band. From poetic political commentary, to Beatle-esque soul, to
bitter-sweet ska, you'll find it all here.

1. Mr T Bone and the Young Lions - Heroes (Rude Boy Corner)

Every now and then, you hear a record so tight, so catchy, and with so
much grove that it just makes you want to raise your fist in the air and
say "Ska lives, my friends. Ska fucking lives!" This record is beyond fun,
it's ecstatic, full of power and soul, and highly deserving of our #1
Ska/Reggae cd of 2008!

Some other honourable mentions and bands to watch out for in 2009:

Idlers - 10-piece Newfoundland ska/reggae crew, www.idlers.ca

New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble - be on the lookout for their new cd, Live in
Paris!

Take the Boys - Soulful power-trio from Montreal, www.taketheboys.com

stay rude, stay rebel, and enjoy this week's podcast!
RRR crew

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Playlist - December 17th, 2008

Chris Murray Combo - I need water
One Night Band - Trigger
Crazy Baldhead - Communication breakdown
The Slackers - Don't forget the streets
Mr T Bone and the Young Lions - The president of the republic of bananas
New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble - Red eye
Idlers - Guns of Navarone
Take the Boys - Higher and higher
The Pepper Pots - I'm in love
Ruben and the Diatones - Crucified
The Caroloregians - Cotton road
Roy Ellis - Shine shine shine
Los Guanabana - Pisadas de simio
Dubmatix feat. Alton Ellis - Blessing of compassion
Auresia - Give a little time
The Planet Smashers - Vacances
Creepshow - Demon lover
Jeunesse Apatride - Hochelaga
Randy - Dynamite
Ron Hawkins and the Rusty Nails - Bite down hard
Root Diamoons - Rumble like a lion
Soweto - Roseita
Flight 404 - Double trouble
Dave Hillyard and the Rocksteady 7 - Greedy
Pama International - It ain't funny
The Steady Ups - Gun you down
The Specials - You're wondering now


--
host, "Roots Rock Rebel"
Wednesdays, 10pm-midnight
CKUT, 90.3 FM, Montreal
Ska, punk, reggae got soul!
www.ckut.ca (for online streaming and archive downloads)
www.myspace.com/ckutrootsrockrebel