JA Loves LA

it occurred to me, halfway through Friday's broadcast, that twenty years ago, Hurricane Gilbert lashed the island of Jamaica (when i was scanning the label of Lovindeer's Why don't We All Have Sex LP. that Lovindeer... one gem among the slackness). and now, roughly on the eve of the third anniversary of the Katrina disaster in New Orleans, history threatens to repeat itself with the mass of Gustav churning up the Gulf of Mexico.

We love you, Crescent City. we hope, beyond all hope, that the Army Corps of Engineers fixed what needed fixing... that capricious winds deflect the Storm to someplace less vulnerable... that the musical and cultural soul of this country endures...

...without which, Jamaican music would never have been the same.

the show:

James Booker "Junco Partner" Return Of The Bayou Maharaja (Rounder)
the Clash "Junco Partner" Sandinista (Epic)

ska, and ska roots:

Fats Domino "Bo Weevil" Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans (Capitol)
Folkes Brothers "Oh, Carolina" Tougher Than Tough (Mango)
Amos Milburn "Let's Have A Party" Thinking And Drinking (Blue Orchid)
Theophilus Beckford "Easy Snappin'" Tougher Than Tough
Rico "Sea Cruise" Dawning Of A New Era (MOJO)
Skatalites "Christine Keeler" Foundation Ska (Heartbeat)

today's hitmakers, within the theme:

Cool Riddims & Sister Teedy "Thanks And Praise" Pledge To My People (NYNO)
Tarrus Riley "Ease Off" Reggae Gold 2008 (VP)
Taj Weekes "Propaganda War" Diedem (Spectra)
Etana "I Am Not Afraid" The Strong One (VP)
Willi Williams/Gov't Mule "Rebel With A Cause" Mighty High (ATO)

Revolutionaries "Freedom Dub" Dub Massive Vol. 2 (Trojan)

the storm:

Big Youth "Lightning Flash, Weak Heart Drop" Beyond The Frontline (Caroline)
Lovindeer "Wild Gilbert" Why Don't We All Have Sex? (Sonic Sounds)
Anthony B "More Pon More" My Hope (Minor 7 flat 5)
Skatalites "Scandal Ska" Foundation Ska

reggae, zydeco-style:

Terence Simien "Waiting In Vain" The Tribute Sessions (AIM)
Chris Ardoin/Double-Clutching "Stay in-Stay Out/Pass The Dutchie" Zydeco (Putumayo)
Leroy Thomas & Zydeco Roadrunners "I Don't Work No More" Monkey & The Baboon (TR)


bringing it all back home...

King Yellowman "Blueberry Hill" 12" single.