It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Strange Manor is a place in Richmond, California, which houses several musicians who play in various bands across the BAY, such as The Soul Captives, The Struts, and the Phenomenauts...

Last year, they recorded and produced a Christmas album that reflected their musical tastes and backgrounds. It was a a great holiday album and thank god they've recorded another one this year!

Rock, funk, country, and of course, ska and reggae are just some of the styles represented in this year's Christmas album....

My favorite song? Definitely "Run Rude Rudolph" which sounds as if it was the Specials themselves who recorded the song...

You can check it out here: http://www.thesoulcaptives.com/strangemanor/07/

And if you missed their album last year, you can check it out here: http://www.thesoulcaptives.com/strangemanor/06/


Still in the mood for Christmas tunes? Don't forget to check out Go Jimmy Go's new holiday album, "Holiday Hell Yeah!" which was just released last month. 10 tracks of holiday cheer(some covers, mostly originals) with a Hawaiian flavor mixed in for good fun!

It'll get you in the holiday spirit, and remind you why you love Go Jimmy Go so much...(they've been relatively low profile lately haven't they?)

You can buy the album here: Holiday Hell Yeah!
You can also buy the album on Itunes!
And don't forget to check out Go Jimmy Go's website: http://www.gojimmygo.com/

Kingston Kitchen Serves Up A Fine Dish

Kingston Kitchen-Today's Special(Megalith Record)

If you think you've heard it all, think again.
Dr. Ring Ding and Rotterdam Ska Jazz foundation have cooked up up some of the finest musical delicacies your ears will ever have the pleasure of feasting upon.
Today's Special is fit for the musical connoisseur.
Throughout the entire album my ears were at full attention to all the intricate sounds of of these top notch musicians. Dr. Ring Ding is in top form, showing off his versatility as a singer. The album starts off with "You Make Me Sing", a sultry Ska/Jazz combo that sounds like the opening to an old Bond flick.
One song that stands out most to me is "St. James Infirmary Blues". This tune flows with rich, eerie horns and a steady beat so infectious I had to listen to it three times my first way through the album. Richie give us some raspy, Louie Armstrong like vocals in a style all his own.
There are a few covers, including Elvis' "City By Night", and a killer version AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long". I would almost recommend this album just to hear this AC/DC cover, it's fantastic.
You know these guys are the real deal when they do a version of a Michel Legrand song. Listening to "Les Mouins De Mon Coeur" you get to hear Ring Ding sing in French and it is tasty. "Friday Night" is what I'd like to think the Skatalites would sound like if they came straight from New Orleans.
If you're ready to dine from a finer musical platter, Today's Special is just for you!