Madness - My Girl 1980

Special studio Version of My Girl from a promotional Flexipop Magazine flexidisc.

My Girl

Mark Foggo - A State of Mind 1983

Here's a fantastic Mark Foggo LP, A State of Mind. The bass player is really going to town on these cuts, and the keyboardist is laying down some tasteful reggae shuffles and counter melodies to Foggo's plaintive vocals. Actually produced by the same person, The Mad Frenchman, as Ska Pig. Nice! The Choice is very reminiscent of the (English) Beat.

A State of Mind

Mark Foggo's Skasters - Ska Pig 1989

Hello Ska People! Another Legendary Ska Artist, Mark Foggo and his Skasters! There's some real gems on this one such as Hello, "chickitup and sing and go SKA(?)", then there's Dolly which is a tribute to his inflatable girlfriend. Two Legs, is also a crack-up.

Ska Pig

The Untouchables - Tropical Bird 1983

Here's another classic 45 from The Untouchables, Tropical Bird b/w The General.
In the run-out groove it says UT Stylee and Mods Are Go!

Tropical Bird

The General

Judge Dread - Big Six

Just in case anyone missed this gem , Judge Dread on german television.

Bad Manners - That'll Do Nicely 1983

Here's a classic from from Bad Manners. I ripped this from the 12" single, so the track is a bit longer than the LP version. The B-side is a dub track called Monster Love, and the mighty King Ska Fa!

That'll Do Nicely/ Monster Love/ King Ska Fa

Night Doctor - Just Enough 1981

Here's another reggae release from Race Records. It's produced by Brad from the Specials. I don't much about the group. It has some nice hornlines and heavy drumming (maybe it's Brad?). I added the B-side, Hits and Misses.

Side A

Side B

80s ska mix tape

This is a mixtape I got from a friend in Holland, its put out by Thatcher001 Decline and Fall of the British Empire. and it's called Friday Night At Goodge Street Station. I like Mobster Shuffle alot, by Mobster. Unfortunately the tape gets a bit warbled during this song.

I also uploaded a funny track by Don Drummond Jr. called Clash and Specials Go To Jail.

I don't really know the background of these groups, if anyone wants to elaborate that would be great. If you see any tracks on the tape-cover you want me to upload I can do that.

Mobster Shuffle

Clash and Specials Go To Jail

Skaface - Moon records 1988

Late 80's ska release from Moon records. This has a very early No Doubt track that is pretty intense. Another strong cut is from Goleta, California's Crucial DBC. These guys were really great in concert.

Skaface - An All American Ska Compilation

Aussie Ska Tape 1989

Here's another classic ska tape, it's a compilation of Australian ska records on a cassettetape. I got it from a friend in Amsterdam, who had gotten it from an Aussie around '88 or '89. There's definitely some Allniters and Strange Tenants, other than that I'm not sure. If anyone out there can identify any of these tracks, that would be appreciated!

Aussie Ska Tape

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Multiplies 1980

Japanese group, YMO, released this LP in 1980. It has the awesome synth song Rydeen also. Multiplies is the title track of the LP and is heavily influenced by the 2 Tone sound.

YMOmultiplies

Here is the music video for Rydeen

Basement Five - Silicon Chip 1980

A friend of mine contributed this record for the blog, Basement 5 was a futuristic reggae-punk group from London.

Side A

Side B

The Untouchables - The Lonely Bull 1985

Growing up in California The Untouchables were an early ska favorite, along with Fishbone. They came out of the southern california mod scene, and repped well for international mod-ska culture in Hollywood movies like Repo Man, Party Animal and Surf II.
This b-side is from the classic What's Gone Wrong 45 on Stiff records.

Side B

The People - Musical Man 1981

This 45 was released by the Specials' John Bradbury for his Race Records label. It seems that before the Selecter recorded the LP Celebrate the Bullet, Charlie Anderson (Bass) and Desmond Brown (Organ) left the group and formed The People. According to the sleeve they played together in 1977 in the Coventry reggae band Hard Top 22.

The a-side, Musical Man, was dedicated to Rico Rodriguez.


Side A

Side B

Strange Tenants - Hard Times 1983

This is a great 45 by Australia's Strange Tenants.
Side B is unusual cause they're playing in fast 6/8 time.


Side A

Side B

Mr. Review Demo Tape 1988

Welcome to Chick it up, Pick it up. For the first post I think everyone will be thrilled to hear this early demo tape from Holland's amazing Ska Legends, MR. REVIEW!
sorry about the poor sound quality.
Enjoy!

part 1

part 2