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m o r e s k a , m o r e r e g g a e , m o r e m u s i c ! r o c k i n g s t e a d y !<br />
r cking<br />
steady<br />
www.rockingsteady.com<br />
YOU‘RE E-ZINE &<br />
DOWNLOAD STORE<br />
<strong>OUT</strong> <strong>NOW</strong>! <strong>FreeZine</strong> &<br />
<strong>Download</strong> <strong>Store</strong><br />
The new magazine for ska and reggae people all over the world.<br />
Jamaican<br />
Originators<br />
Roy Ellis, Pat Kelly, Derrick<br />
Morgan, Doreen Shaffer<br />
and Clinton Fearon<br />
from page 04<br />
Ska Boomtown<br />
Berlin<br />
What connects Berlin<br />
with popular music? Why<br />
do The Butlers rerun the<br />
German New Wave? How<br />
the Calypso came to<br />
Berlin! from page 17<br />
The World<br />
of Ska<br />
News on the global star<br />
sky of ska and reggae<br />
from Belgium, Jamaica,<br />
Venezuela, Italy, the U.S.A.,<br />
Switzerland, Germany,<br />
Austria and the rest of the<br />
world from page 25
Number one!<br />
eDitorial Drop the oFFbeatbomb<br />
www.rockingsteady.eu<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>! starts with it‘s „Number 1“ a<br />
new, independent and free Internet magazine,<br />
which is specialized in Ska & Reggae. Parallel to<br />
the magazine <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>! offers a download<br />
store for the best music ever! The store will<br />
be online on 01.01.2011. And we are confident<br />
that it will grow very fast.<br />
The first issue is the result of extensive research<br />
of the current ska and reggae scene in Europe<br />
and the rest of the world. Two great issues<br />
define our „number 1“. Under the title „Jamaican<br />
Originators“ we introduce you to a handful of<br />
the most important members of the ska and<br />
reggae scene in depth interviews. All are on<br />
tour in Europe or playing in their home country<br />
at clubs and festivals. They have never left their<br />
long musical path and present the fruits of<br />
their work with the same passion as they ever<br />
did before.<br />
The second focus of the first issue is Berlin,<br />
Berlin, Berlin. If you are currently looking for<br />
ska- and reggaenews, above all, you will strike<br />
it rich: The „Ska Boomtown Berlin“. New acts,<br />
established acts, „Comebacks“, successful acts,<br />
extraordinary acts, and certainly always good<br />
music. Berlin is on top. Read for yourself!<br />
We will complete the issue with ska news<br />
and tour dates from all around the world. Of<br />
course there are world-famous acts, but also<br />
very locally defined scenes. Both are equally<br />
important for us.<br />
Have fun with the <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>! e-zine number<br />
one! We count on you, so that this long<br />
overdue idea will work out.<br />
www.rockingsteady.com<br />
be part<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
check the community
About us!<br />
eDitorial Drop the oFFbeatbomb<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
impreSSum <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>! eZine & download store<br />
www.rockingsteady.de | www.rockingsteady.eu | www.rockingsteady.com<br />
03<br />
What‘s <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!?<br />
A scene magazine, portal and shop from people out of the scene for people from the scene.<br />
• We have a web-fanzine based in Europe, that reports about ska and reggae worldwide.<br />
• We are an encyclopedia for all who are searching for ska and reggae music as well as for bands and labels of this genres, because they love this music.<br />
• We are a download store, in which the ska and reggae music is sold digitally. We provide a simple purchase of the favorite music of our visitors as<br />
well as new discoveries across all borders. (From 01.01.2011)<br />
• <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>! is independent and internationally. We write mainly in english (www.rockingstaedy.com; www.rockingsteady.eu) and german:<br />
(www.rockingsteady.de), but also spanish and french are regularly represented.<br />
Who am <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong> is working together with?<br />
Whether band, label or digital distributors - we like to work together with all levels:<br />
• We look forward to work with each individual band, which is presented on the <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong> website, and sell their recordings independently<br />
of whether they are signed by a label or not.<br />
• As <strong>Rocking</strong> Records! we act as label ourselves. Initially limited to digital publications, and later perhaps with a focus on vinyl and / or sales of albums<br />
on demand.<br />
• We also offer various services such as graphic design for bands (eg posters, websites, social-media-designs and - marketing). There are special conditions<br />
for bands that are supporting us as a <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!-Street-Team. Our concept of Street-Teams combines the forces of different bands and<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!.<br />
• We like to work with labels from the genres that want to use us as a digital distributor and / or that want us to help to spread their news to the<br />
international ska and reggae-crowd/cloud.<br />
• We license content from so-called aggregators, if we can convince them with our project, so that the selection in our store gets a reasonable size.<br />
• We try to pick up every convincing ska and reggae song/album to enrich our catalogue. While we cannot start with the complete repertoire, but<br />
with a small but fine scale. And we want to grow quickly. However, we will (initially) do not get access to any material. But we will leave nothing<br />
undone.<br />
To Whom is <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>?<br />
More Ska - More Reggae - More Music!<br />
For all who have a passion for ska and reggae and are looking for news from the scene. Also for those who want to spread their news.<br />
How much does <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong> cost?<br />
Freemium to Premium - There are free premium offers over here and some others with reasonable prices!<br />
• Our e.zine is published every two months and can be downloaded free of charge.<br />
• For the download of songs and albums we have fixed prices. While also in the store there will be some „Freemium“-products time after time.<br />
• Bands and labels do not pay anything. We just participate in the sales revenues that we generate for them.<br />
Herausgeber: <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>! GbR<br />
Ludwig Märthesheimer & Oliver Will<br />
Gundelsheimer Straße 22<br />
D-96052 Bamberg<br />
Fon: +49. 951. 7005620<br />
Fax: +49. 951. 7005619<br />
projekt@rockingsteady.de<br />
redaktion: Oliver Will (V.i.S.d.P.)<br />
Frank Keil<br />
bildquellen: Stock Exchange, Photolabatory, Photocase, iStockphoto<br />
Fotos & layout: Markus Püls | 2mcon Bamberg (www.2mcon.de)<br />
translation: Oliver Will<br />
erscheinungsweise: alle 2 Monate<br />
redaktionsschluss: 15. des Vormonats<br />
anzeigenkontakt:<br />
Ludwig Märthesheimer | 0951 - 700 56 20 | lm@rockingsteady.de<br />
Es gelten die Anzeigenpreise der Mediadaten 10 | 2010
Jamaican Originators<br />
cover Story tougher than tough<br />
There are five founding fathers of reggae history<br />
we have portrayed for you and interviewed:<br />
Roy Ellis aka Mr. Symarip, Derrick Morgan (The<br />
King of Ska), Doreen Shaffer (The voice of the<br />
Skatalites) and Pat Kelly, who began his career<br />
with “The Techniques”. Since 2009 he has been<br />
seen on European stages again. Finally, we potray<br />
Clinton Fearon, a former member of “The<br />
Gladiators”. He crowns his long musical career<br />
with his new publication „Mi Deh Yah“. Currently<br />
he is touring with his first-class roots music<br />
throughout Europe. We are pleased about the<br />
possibility to interview these great artists for<br />
our number 1. For sure we will continue reporting<br />
on the creme de la creme of Jamaican<br />
music history in the next editions as well.<br />
DVD & CD<br />
out now!<br />
Pat Kelly<br />
interview reggae got Soul!<br />
Pat Kelly, born in 1944 in the capital<br />
Kingston, the center of ska, is without a doubt<br />
still one of the sizes of the Jamaican Music<br />
scene. The lively veteran presents hisself full of<br />
energy and acitvity in his first appearances on<br />
the European continent in 2009. And proved<br />
in the summer of 2010 that, despite advancing<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
www.rocksteadyrootsofreggae.com<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
age, his falsetto skills are still excellent. It is his<br />
unique vocal style, coupled with honest songs<br />
about the diversity of love that makes the<br />
sympathetic Jamaican popular. Ska, originally<br />
born in the early 60s as the mixture of Caribbean<br />
folklore with the American Rhythm‘n‘<br />
Blues, established fast in the Jamaican music<br />
scene and reflected the social conditions about<br />
the independence from Great Britain. And<br />
while the Ska from the middle of the decade<br />
changed to the slower Rock <strong>Steady</strong> and later<br />
resulted in reggae, Pat Kelly also known as‘ „Mr.<br />
Quiet“ ‚ was on the spot.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: With Ska, Rock <strong>Steady</strong><br />
and Reggae the Jamaican folk music entered<br />
a new dimension. How in this context was the<br />
beginning of your career?<br />
Pat Kelly: I had not planned to become a<br />
singer. When I returned from Massachusetts,<br />
where I studied electronics, to Jamaica in 1967,<br />
it has started off. There was less focus on the individual<br />
singers, but rather on the vocal groups.<br />
Also the type and how the music had been<br />
arranged and recorded in the studio changed<br />
from Ska to Rock <strong>Steady</strong>. The Techniques engaged<br />
me as a replacement for Slim Smith and<br />
with „You don‘t care“ (the Mayfield cover „You‘ll<br />
want me back) we came to fame early. So I<br />
took a break as a recording engineer.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: To this day, the comparison<br />
with American soul stars such as Sam<br />
Cooke and Curtis Mayfield stands. There is<br />
also the fact that this was the beginnig of the<br />
successful collaboration with the big producer<br />
Phil Pratt.<br />
Pat Kelly: We had a really perfect backing<br />
band then in which inter alia Bob Marley<br />
played some time. So we got more hits, including<br />
„Queen Majesty“, „Run Come Celebrate“<br />
and „I Wish It Would Rain“.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: At this time the stars of the<br />
jamaican scene, like Jackie Opel, Ken Boothe,<br />
Alton Ellis, John Holt (Kelly‘s classmate), Laurel<br />
Aitken and Desmond Dekker (who had the<br />
first reggae-Nor. 1 „Israelites“ in 1968) had their<br />
breakthrough with Ska, Rock <strong>Steady</strong> and Blue<br />
Beat (the UK name) in the U.K. . The ‚soulful‘
Reggay sensation went around the world and<br />
Pat Kelly logical decided to start a solo career.<br />
Pat Kelly: The time was ripe, and with<br />
numerous # 1 hits, god thanks, we immediately<br />
continued successful. I shuttled between many<br />
producers, including legends such as Duke<br />
Reid (Treasure Isle Studio) or Bunny Lee. As a result,<br />
inter alia „How Long Will It Take“ (including<br />
string arrangement) and „Talk About Love“, both<br />
written by me, rose as well as „If It Don`t Work<br />
Out“, „Try To Remember“ and „Dark End Of The<br />
Street“ „ which all climbed the top of the charts.<br />
Asked about Stascha Bader and his filmproduction<br />
„Rocksteady - The Roots Of Reggae“<br />
Pat Kelly can`t tell anyhing. In fact he haven`t<br />
heard of it, though many of the protagonists<br />
are friends of him.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: In 2009 and 2010 at performances<br />
like the Chiemsee Reggae Festival<br />
Pat Kelly was regonized as one of the greats<br />
of Jamaican music easily: ‚No fillers - all killers‘<br />
one might say, because with „Somebody‘s<br />
Baby“, „I‘m In The Mood For Love“, „Little Boy<br />
Blue“ and „There Comes A Time“ you still have<br />
published lots of other musical highlights<br />
between 1967 and 1972, as inter alia the album<br />
“Pat Kelly Sings”, recorded with the assistance<br />
of Lee ‚Scratch‘ Perry. Nevertheless, It you went<br />
underground then?<br />
Pat Kelly: It wasn`t just me at that time. There<br />
were some colleagues such as Stranger Cole,<br />
Derrick Morgan, Max Romeo and Slim Smith,<br />
who were all under contract to the leading<br />
label Pama. I even had an offer from the Beatles<br />
label Apple, but Pama doesn`t wan`t me to<br />
change. Then one has been just too dependent<br />
on the label and who went and knocked elsewhere,<br />
was usually sent back to Pama, whose<br />
leadership was very influential ...<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Over the years, many of<br />
your songs have been re-released. Did you<br />
follow those releases or haven`t you been interested<br />
in this aspects of your career anymore?<br />
Pat Kelly: I have always tried to retrace all<br />
songs I have made in terms of publication.<br />
My songs have actually been attributed to me<br />
always, I have even almost all my records at<br />
home. So the producers were not able to take<br />
tracks, if the singer / composer was called. A<br />
hard and opaque business ... until now. Just<br />
take the time when I named myself Little Boy<br />
Blue or Boy Blue for marketing reasons: the<br />
people thought there are various interpreters,<br />
but everything was the same person.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: To talk about home: Many<br />
of your colleagues settled down in England<br />
and only returned back to Jamaica as a visitor.<br />
What about you?<br />
Pat Kelly: I never planned to leave Jamaica.<br />
We always toured a few month throughout<br />
England, but Kingston/Uptown stayed my<br />
home. Today I‘m there with my companion, a<br />
nurse, a beautiful house and garden, in which I<br />
live rather withdrawn.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Up to your comeback in<br />
2009, some years have passed. How did you<br />
earn your living and how did your ‚comeback‘<br />
arise?<br />
Pat Kelly: In the mid-70s I got back to my<br />
profession as a sound engineer and have<br />
worked in different studios for King Tubby and<br />
other producers. In addition, I continued to write,<br />
record and occasionally publish songs. There<br />
was an album Youth & Youth, the publication<br />
„The Impressable John Holt” and some more.<br />
For live shows I flew to the USA and Canada<br />
(where today the way inter alia Stranger Cole<br />
and Lynn Taitt live. (Lynn Taitt unfortunately<br />
died this year – editorial office note). Of course I<br />
followed the Jamaican Music scene at home,<br />
but because of my age, I am much more closer<br />
to Ska, Rock <strong>Steady</strong> and Reggae than to Raggamuffin<br />
or Dancehall. But I am already available<br />
for dubplates and something like that. Since<br />
2009, there are some new songs by Pat Kelly<br />
you can listen to at least via youtube.com. They<br />
have been placed over there with the help of a<br />
friend under the CD title “No Further Fears”.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: In the late 70s a large<br />
wave of British ska spilled over the island to the<br />
continent. By merging of the reggae with the<br />
energy of punk, reggae and also the ska had<br />
an amazing revival, that continues to this day.<br />
Bands and the audience made black and white<br />
to the colors of the scene. The most successful<br />
artists of these also strongly anti-racist and<br />
politically motivated wave were Madness, The<br />
Selecter and the Specials, stars of the legendary<br />
2 Tone label, which many bands in Germany<br />
and abroad followed with success.<br />
Pat Kelly: One can say without lying, the Ska<br />
fever is rampant again in the world. No matter<br />
05<br />
in which direction the band‘s groove mixes<br />
develope, everything is very complex and<br />
interrelated, but the base remains our Jamaican<br />
dance music with a strong emphasis on<br />
rhythm. For me it‘s less about politics rather to<br />
human love and respect. I am grateful that there<br />
is so much passion for this music, because<br />
with the help of Doreen Shaffer (the Voice of<br />
the Skatalites), a friend since the beginning of<br />
my career, I got in touch with Oswald Münnig<br />
from the German booking agency Moskito<br />
Promotion. Oswald then invited me for a few<br />
shows, the first in Europe outside England in<br />
general.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: This became a fixed collaboration<br />
due to the truly magnificent Moon<br />
Invaders from Belgium?<br />
Pat Kelly: Their understanding of music, their<br />
skills and stage presence according to ska, rock<br />
steady and reggae is so unbelievable. They are<br />
definitely on the same level with my accompanying<br />
musicians from the former time. So I<br />
am looking forward to the next performances<br />
with them, cause the guys have really Rhythm&<br />
Blues and Soul. And the greatest thing would<br />
be to record an album with them as quick as<br />
possible. For if we continue to achieve people<br />
all over the world with our music, we did<br />
everything right!<br />
Frank Keil<br />
www.rockingsteady.com<br />
cD<br />
available Soon!
Roy Ellis aka. Mr. Symarip<br />
interview back From the moon<br />
www.roy-ellis.ch<br />
The pioneer of yesteryear is back!: Roy Ellis a.k.a.<br />
Mr. Symarip, a vital senior and also a fixture in<br />
the musical tension between ska, reggae and<br />
rock steady. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, being<br />
a school friend of Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley<br />
with whom he made his first musical experiences<br />
together. When the ‚Jamaican Blue Beat‘<br />
captured England in the early 60‘s, Roy Ellis<br />
was also on hand, and could end up his first hit<br />
with „Everyday You Got Me Crying Girl“. Inspired<br />
by Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso and<br />
Rico Rodriguez, Ellis was not only singer, but<br />
also learned to play trombone. He joined the<br />
band The Bees, to which he also took Monty<br />
Neysmith and toured with Laurel Aitken, Prince<br />
Buster, Desmond Dekker and The Maytals. A<br />
little later the friend Eddy Grant advised the<br />
Bees to change their name and from now they<br />
created a sensation as Pyramids and shared the<br />
stage with such known acts like The Who and<br />
Pink Floyd. Almost simultaneously with Derrick<br />
Morgan and his „Moon Hop“, the Pyramids<br />
aimed in the direction of Mods & Skinheads.<br />
With „Skinhead Moon Stomp“ they did a sought<br />
today top hit, which they published under the<br />
band name Symarip because of contractual obligations<br />
end of the 60s. At that time a growing<br />
audience got enthusiastic about Ska, Reggae &<br />
Rock <strong>Steady</strong>. Not surprising then, that in 1970<br />
even a reggae-documentary film in London‘s<br />
Wembley Stadium was turned, for which Ellis<br />
interpreted some gospel songs in reggae<br />
style. In the 70s and 80s, Roy Ellis oriented<br />
more toward gospel and soul and moved to<br />
Switzerland for personal reasons. 2001 he was<br />
found by the Lucerne Rudeattack crew and he<br />
returned back into the ska scene together with<br />
the Swiss backing band Kalles Kaviar with great<br />
success. With other groups like the Teenagers<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
(Spain), Soulfood International (Germany), the<br />
Aggrolites (USA) or the Ratazanas (Portugal),<br />
he is touring again around the world. As Mr.<br />
Symarip he put out „The Skinheads Dem A<br />
Come“ on Liquidator Records in 2006 and most<br />
recently the equally popular single „Let Me Take<br />
You Higher“ followed with The Teenagers. His<br />
shows are still energetic and extremely and Roy<br />
Ellis remained a star at your fingertips. He likes<br />
to take his fans on stage to dance, as he did<br />
at the Summer Safari 2010 in Halle, Germany,<br />
where <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>! met the „skinhead boss“<br />
for a detailed interview. Frank Keil<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: When in the early 60s<br />
jamaican skamusic reached England, you have<br />
already been on the spot. But before you did<br />
not plan to earn your living as a singer.<br />
Roy Ellis: That‘s right. My mother was already<br />
in London and she got her ”rude boy” to<br />
join her in 1962. I went into the school a few<br />
months and then began to work in various<br />
restaurants as a kitchen porter and cook. Today<br />
cooking is only a hobby. I also trained a lot to<br />
make career as a boxer, while I also sang and<br />
recorded „You Got Me Crying Everyday Girl“<br />
on Sonny Burke`s small Ember label. I was not<br />
paid for it, but at least the Jamaican immigrants<br />
knew me now.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: Don Drummond (The<br />
Skatalites) inspired you to learn trombone, Rico<br />
Rodriguez has been your teacher for some time.<br />
And when the organist Monty Neysmith came<br />
to London to study, the idea to form a band<br />
took shape.<br />
Roy Ellis: Yes, I was friends with Monty‘s<br />
cousin Barry Biggs, so we played with the Bees,<br />
a young band from the neighborhood. First,<br />
pop, then after some changes Ska. With me<br />
as a singer and trombonist. Laurel Aitken was<br />
looking for a backing band, we got the job and<br />
toured with him in England. He also introduced<br />
us to the producer Siggy Jackson of the Blue<br />
Beat label, for which we recorded „Jesse James<br />
Rides Again” in 1967.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: Then Prince Buster came<br />
from Jamaica to England, an icon between ska<br />
and rocksteady. As the backing band for him<br />
you could reach a white audience for the first<br />
time.<br />
Roy Ellis: Yes, the Bees had great success at<br />
that time and now Eddy Grant came into the<br />
game, which debuted with the Equals huge<br />
success. He liked our mix of ska, rock steady<br />
and early reggea and produced many of our<br />
recordings for the label “President”. By touring<br />
with Desmond Dekker, The Pioneers and The<br />
Maytals, our popularity became bigger and<br />
bigger. Eddy, who did not like our band name,<br />
advised us to change the name. From then on<br />
we played as The Pyramids and shared the stage<br />
with The Who and Pink Floyd from then on.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: Sound like a big amount of<br />
sex, alcohol and drugs ...<br />
Roy Ellis: We all were not saints at that time<br />
and had a great time! Despite our agreement<br />
with President, we recorded for other labels<br />
under names like Symarip, Alterations, Rough<br />
Riders, bed bugs, EK Bunch and Seven Letters. It<br />
was a turbulent time in which also the landing<br />
of Americans on the moon happened in July<br />
1969. And while Derrick Morgan caused a<br />
sensation with his „Moon Hop“, reggae slowly<br />
replaced rock steady and ska.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: A development in which<br />
your „Skinhead Moon Stomp”‘ had significant<br />
contribution. To this skinhead reggae more and<br />
more whites began to dance, but the single<br />
and the album could not be marketed without<br />
a trick.<br />
Roy Ellis: Right. We still had the contract with<br />
President, but spelled The Pyramids backwards<br />
without D and Symarip came out. President<br />
received the success of Symarip in the charts,<br />
so we had to make two more LPs for them,<br />
including songs like „Banana“, before they let<br />
us out of the contract. One of our fans, who
also works as a bodyguard for us was Judge<br />
Dread, who later became the star of the scene<br />
himself. The highlights of our performances was<br />
certainly the show in April 1970 at Wembley<br />
Stadium, which takes an important part in the<br />
film documentary „Reggae“.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: Somehow, after that your<br />
success slackened. The band toured in Germany,<br />
Austria and Switzerland for Creole Records,<br />
but with Afro-rock under the name of Osibisa.<br />
A change, that is difficult to comprehend.<br />
Roy Ellis: Ska, Rock <strong>Steady</strong>, Reggae doesn`t<br />
suit them, people over there wanted some<br />
soul and funk. And we had to make money ...<br />
and later in England under the name Zubaba,<br />
then again as The Pyramids, always alternating<br />
between the UK and Europe by the end of the<br />
70s. As The Specials (2Tone) entered the charts<br />
and became No. 1 in England with the cover<br />
of „Skinhead Moon Stomp” (1980), there was a<br />
short time interest in us again, but we could not<br />
go back, because we had contracts in Europe.<br />
We did this until 1988, then we separated and<br />
finally there is only sporadic contact among the<br />
seven original members of Symarip today.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: In 1980 you already have<br />
been familiar with your present wife in Switzerland,<br />
in 1988 you have married and you live<br />
happily together in Buchs until now. But you<br />
did not say goodbye to the music, but started a<br />
second career immediately.<br />
Roy Ellis: Correct. I have accompanied many<br />
international stars and established myself as a<br />
successful gospel, blues and soul singer. There<br />
is no shortage of gigs, I‘m on the radio and you<br />
could see me on TV last year. Among others I<br />
sung at the wedding of Boris Becker and his wife.<br />
I am a professional and I am doing it all, whether<br />
baptism or funeral. And so, of course, many CD<br />
releases have come together, resembling a declaration<br />
of love for gospel, blues and soul.<br />
Discography (extract)<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: We have met frequently<br />
in recent years. Not only to me you are a sympathetic,<br />
open-minded, your accompanying<br />
musicians, fans and media over a very loyal<br />
artist. Certainly one of the reasons that your<br />
comeback in the ska scene is so successful.<br />
How did you get involved into the ska scene<br />
again?<br />
Roy Ellis: The skinheads of Rudeattack of<br />
Lucerne located me in 2001 after a concert of<br />
Laurel Aitken and arranged the contact with<br />
the band Kalles Kaviar. First concerts followed<br />
and we quickly realized the huge demand for<br />
old Symarip hits. Moskito Promotion (Germany)<br />
and Liquidator Music (Spain) have supported<br />
me regarding booking and publications, so<br />
among others tours in Colombia, Mexico, Japan<br />
and Europe took place. And of course it makes<br />
me proud when I see young people celebrate<br />
with old hits and anthems like „Skinhead Girl,“<br />
„Must Catch A Train“ or „Flour Dumpling“.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: Then the „Boss Skinhead‘<br />
won`t cease soon. What are your plans for the<br />
next few months?<br />
Roy Ellis: I will be active for both scenes a lot.<br />
Regarding to Ska, there are shows planned in<br />
The Bees 7“ Jesse James Rides Again/The Girl In My Dreams Blue Beat 1967<br />
The Pyramids 7“ Train Tour To Rainbow City/John Chewey President 1967<br />
Symarip 7“ I´m A Puppet/Vindication Attack 1969<br />
Symarip 7“ Skinhead Moonstomp/Must Catch A Train Treasure Isle 1969<br />
The Pyramids LP The Pyramids President 1969<br />
Symarip LP Skinhead Moonstomp Trojan 1969<br />
Mr. Symarip CD The Skinheads Dem A Come Liquidator 2006<br />
Mr. Symarip 7“ Shine, Shine, Shine & 2 weitere Titel Liquidator 2008<br />
Symarip CD Skinhead Moonstomp Trojan 2008<br />
Roy Ellis & The Teenagers 7“ Let Me Take You Higher/The Sweetest Rumour Liquidator 2009<br />
07<br />
the United States and Japan. Furthermore, there<br />
is a new CD for Liquidator Music. The first songs<br />
I‘ve done yet. And while I‘m still physically fit,<br />
my vote is still up to all challenges, I see no<br />
reason to leave the stage at the age of 62!<br />
now on tour<br />
dates on page 28
Derrick Morgan<br />
interview pioneer oF jamaican pop muSic<br />
In the summer of 2010, the Riverside Stomp<br />
Open Air in Mainz-Kastel was in the sixth round.<br />
Still one of the most famous ska and reggaeopen-air-festivals<br />
in Germany, it was presented<br />
in front of the beautiful scenery at the Reduit on<br />
the banks of the Rhine. Among others Derrick<br />
‚The Conqueror‘ Morgan entered the stage. So<br />
it was a must for <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>! to interview<br />
the in the scene well known, globally successful<br />
personality. At this the incomparable entertainer<br />
despite all the successes turned out as a likeable,<br />
eloquent interlocutor. The now 70-year old<br />
Derrick Morgan, blinded in a car accident and<br />
unable to walk further, made himself comfortable<br />
on his bed while I took a chair at his side<br />
square. A friendly handshake (we‘ve known each<br />
other for some years) and we were right in the<br />
middle of the interview.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: The<br />
beginning of your career<br />
was in the late 50‘s when<br />
you won the Vere John‘s<br />
talent show with the<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
Little Richard cover „Long Tall Sally“ and went on<br />
tour with the comedy duo Bim & Bam two years<br />
throughout Jamaica. From which year is your<br />
first own recording and how did you get into<br />
music?<br />
Derrick Morgan: I was born on the land in<br />
Mocho Clarendon and when I was three, my<br />
mother and I went to Kingston because of<br />
my night blindness. In the church choir and<br />
in school I came into contact with music and<br />
on the radio we heard many good songs. And<br />
thanks to John Vere and Bim & Bam I collected<br />
plenty of stage experience in 1957 , before I<br />
recorded the songs „Lover Boy“ and „Oh My<br />
Love is Gone“ for the Duke Reid in 1959, which<br />
he played only on its sound system. The first<br />
buyable record was the from LS Smith produced<br />
hit „Fat Man“, which also appeared in England.<br />
Then came singles for Clement ‚Coxsone‘<br />
Dodd, eg „Leave Earth“ and „Wigger<br />
Wee Shuffle“.<br />
Derrick Morgan became addicted<br />
to the traditional music<br />
styles of the small Caribbean<br />
island early - and he kept face<br />
with them until today ...<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: In the early 60s<br />
there was a ska boom and there<br />
were many musicians, producers<br />
and promoters<br />
and a tough<br />
competition.<br />
At<br />
that<br />
time the title ‚Hitmaker‘ was given to you,<br />
because you managed to place seven singles<br />
(including „Be Still“, „Sunday Monday“ and „The<br />
Hop“) in the top ten. But success had its downside<br />
too, so there was a legendary musical dispute<br />
with Prince Buster, who first produced so many<br />
of your songs. And he was a good friend as well.<br />
Derrick Morgan: Reid, Smith, Buster - they<br />
were the first with whom I worked. A very<br />
good time in which even the duet „Housewife‘s<br />
Choice“ (No. 1 in Jamaica) with singer Millicent<br />
„Patsy“ Todd was born, with whom I later worked<br />
on and off. She lived so long in my neighborhood,<br />
near the Orange Street in Kingston. Then<br />
came Jimmy Cliff (at that time known as James<br />
Chambers) to my house and brought the song<br />
suggestions „Dearest Beverly“ and „Hurricane<br />
Hattie“. He wanted me to advertise for Leslie<br />
Kong and his label Beverly Records. The offer<br />
was good, Kong paid the first £ 10 per song, so<br />
I accepted and so Jimmy Cliff, Owen Gray and I<br />
went to the studio with some musicians, known<br />
as Drumbago, rehearsed and recorded some<br />
songs, including „She‘s Gone“.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: In 1962, when Jamaica<br />
became independent from British rule, „Forward<br />
March“ was as a promising tune. Almost<br />
simultaneously there was a dispute with singer /<br />
producer Prince Buster. Can you still remember<br />
exactly why?<br />
Derrick Morgan:The saxophone solo in it was<br />
from Headly Bennet, Prince Buster said it was<br />
stolen from his song „They Got To Come“. He<br />
then attacked me with „Blackhead Chinaman“<br />
which we countered with „Blazing Fire“ and „No<br />
Raise, No Praise.“ These mutual insults meant<br />
that there was unrest in the population, the fans<br />
fought out the conflict even violently. As the<br />
government stepped in and asked us to settle<br />
the dispute. Then we gave a statement in the<br />
Daily Gleaner that the dispute was only one out<br />
of control sales gimmick ... And from that time<br />
on we were good friends again. But this kind<br />
of fighting has followed in the Jamaican<br />
music scene again and again until today,<br />
especially in the Dancehall.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: 1962 appeared also<br />
the name of Bob Marley in connection<br />
with Derrick Morgan for the first time. Is<br />
there an anecdote behind it?<br />
Derrick Morgan: A friend, Pat Stewart,<br />
pointed out his skills to me, but<br />
at first he was a better dancer than
singer. I introduced him to Leslie Kong, who recorded<br />
„Judge Not,“ „Terrorist“ and „One Cup Of<br />
Coffee“, the first tunes under the name of Bob<br />
Marley. Before I left England in 1963, there were<br />
two farewell shows in Jamaica for me. Also Bob<br />
Marley appeared on stage. Then I didn`t see<br />
him for a long time, but the rest of the singer<br />
from Trench Town is history nowadays.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: First there was Mento,<br />
Calypso and Rhythm and Blues. Then ska, so to<br />
speak, the founder-period music of Jamaica.<br />
And in the aftermath Rock <strong>Steady</strong>, that was<br />
launched with your song „Tougher Than Tough“.<br />
Last year the interesting film and DVD documentary<br />
„Rock <strong>Steady</strong>-The Roots Of Reggae“<br />
from the Swiss Stascha Bader was published<br />
(Switzerland, 2009, 95 minutes, English), in that<br />
you were also heavily involved. What‘s the rock<br />
steady periods need-to-knows?<br />
Derrick Morgan: „Tougher Than Tough“ aka<br />
„Rudies Dont`t Fear“ referred to a Rudeboy<br />
named Busby, who was shot shortly after the<br />
creation of the songs by a hostile gang on<br />
a “Dance”. In the Dynamic recording studio<br />
George and Desmond Dekker (The Pioneers)<br />
supported me. That was 1966 and I superimposed<br />
on with „Cool Off Rudies“ a more soothing<br />
song, so that all calmed down. From 1967, I<br />
then run my own label hop, on which I initially<br />
produced a lot of Rock <strong>Steady</strong>, relaxed style,<br />
before it was replaced by reggae with all its<br />
facets.<br />
More than five decades in the international<br />
music business. The Jamaican Derrick Morgan<br />
has played a major role for styles like<br />
ska, rocksteady and reggae.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: Where we were already in<br />
skinhead reggae. By today, in any of your sets,<br />
whether in the U.S. or Europe (at Chiemsee<br />
Reggae Summer Festival or the This Is Ska in<br />
Rosslau), where you‘re still often on tour, the hit<br />
„Moon Hop“ is a must.<br />
Derrick Morgan: Unlike many colleagues, I<br />
have been often in England to work, but I never<br />
took up residence there. I‘m still in Jamaica.<br />
Clearly, 1969 was the year of the skinheads in<br />
England and they celebrated me for my „Moon<br />
Hop“, it was a great success. And the fans still<br />
like this song, especially the sound systems<br />
play it again and again in the clubs after the<br />
concerts. Just like the version of Symarip,<br />
known under the title „Skinhead Moon Stomp!.<br />
„Moon Hop“ today may not lack like „Reggae<br />
Train,“ „Miss Lulu,“ „Conquering Ruler“, „Don‘t<br />
Call Me Daddy,“ „Tougher Than Tough“, „Fat<br />
Man“ or „Blazing Fire“. Otherwise the people are<br />
really disappointed. Ok, I almost forgot „Seven<br />
Letters“, the first reggae song that I created<br />
Discography (excerpt):<br />
„Forward March w 1963 LP<br />
The Best of Derrick Morgan 1969 LP<br />
Moon Hop 1970 LP<br />
Development 1975 LP<br />
Derrick Morgan & Yebo, Conquering Ruler & Eastern Standard 1992 Double CD<br />
Time Marches On 1996 CD<br />
Derrick Morgan Meets The High Notes Live 2003 CD<br />
Derrick Morgan Ska Vol. 1 2003 CD<br />
09<br />
with Bunny Lee, reminiscent of Ben E. King. Or<br />
„Bangarang“, which then Stranger Cole and Lester<br />
Sterling (The Skatalites) were involved.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>: Also from the 70s to today<br />
you have been very active. Publications worldwide<br />
performances, production and label work<br />
(Hop) alternated constantly.<br />
Derrick Morgan:Yes, I stayed active and thus<br />
young in some way. I have been married since<br />
1968 with my wife, Nellie, have children, so I<br />
have to pay financially for a large family. Nellie<br />
the way, is the sister of Bunny Lee, with whom<br />
I‘ve worked a lot. Later came Max Romeo, Tony<br />
Rebel and Garnet Silk, The Jets, The Soul Syndicate<br />
Band and the German group Yebo. And<br />
the Dutch from Rude Rich & The High Notes.<br />
Many who did not come from Jamaica, have<br />
mastered the task to back me with my classics<br />
with flying colors. And that should calm remain<br />
in the coming years, however, for I will not<br />
even say goodbye from the music business!<br />
Frank Keil<br />
www.rockingsteady.com<br />
cD<br />
available Soon!
Doreen Shaffner<br />
interview muSic From paSSion<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: I have read your real name<br />
is Monica Johnson!?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Yes, that‘s right. But Schaeffer<br />
is my real last name. My maiden name!<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Doreen Shaeffer is not<br />
your stage name?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: No! In fact I have German<br />
ancestors - my grandfather.<br />
Well, I do not know much about him. He was a<br />
migrant, always on tour until he came to. I do<br />
not know much about it. I was only one year<br />
old!<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: So you don‘t know where<br />
he has lived in Germany before his emigration?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: No, I had a sister who told<br />
me a few things about it. Unfortunately she is<br />
not alive! I went on tour when she was sick and<br />
when I came home I had to learn that she died.<br />
She was much older than me and told me<br />
about it, but I do not know much about it yet.<br />
We had different mothers. I grew up without<br />
my father. I only know that he my grandfather<br />
came to Jamaica, bought land here and traded.<br />
One day he left the island.<br />
However, due to him my name<br />
is Shaffer. Actually it<br />
was written with<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
c, but when I was in Jamaica and my husband<br />
in the United States the c lacked on my papers<br />
that I needed to join him. Of course I was<br />
annoyed about that, and I wanted him to<br />
cause a correction. But that would have last at<br />
least two weeks and he asked me if I wanted<br />
to stay in Jamaica because of a letter or rather<br />
come to him. Despite my anger, I said to him<br />
that he should send me the ticket and I flew<br />
immediately. Therefore on my recordings there<br />
are different spellings. When I started at Studio<br />
One, I still wrote me with c. Later it was lost and<br />
I had to get along with it.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Since many years your are<br />
touring throughout the whole planet and present<br />
very authentic ska as the „Queen of Ska“!.<br />
Where do you prefer to perform?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: That‘s very interesting. I love<br />
Japan! And I love Germany, really, because I<br />
like to come back here, where I can play a lot<br />
and I am so appreciated. But the first time I<br />
was in Japan, the people have such a pleasant<br />
discipline, almost a kind of humility. They are<br />
wonderful people, who always want to do<br />
something for you, make everything to your<br />
favour. This is wonderful, and everyone makes<br />
an effort and invites you to come to him. And<br />
this was not just the first time I was there, but<br />
I‘ve been there four times and it‘s still so enjoyable.<br />
They are so nice, they want you to feel<br />
comfortable and have a strong tradition. But<br />
I‘ve been in so many places. I went to Russia.<br />
I never thought that I would be there ... and I<br />
found myself in Russia. End everyone is so kind<br />
over there. But I was in many places. It‘s hard to<br />
say, but it‘s always nice when one is adopted,<br />
no matter where.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: You talked about the Japanese<br />
culture and that you like their resistance.<br />
What about Jamaica? Is there a change? A<br />
musical change?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Yes, absolutely. You can<br />
identify Jamaica with Reggae, who has its<br />
origin here or with ska. Two Tone is a different<br />
thing and has little to do with Jamaica. The<br />
birthplace of ska is Jamaica. It was the Skatalites<br />
drummer Lloyd Knibb. He was the one at<br />
Studio One, where we met all the time. Coxsone<br />
was traveling and brought Rhythm and<br />
Blues and Cuban music, such as merengue, to<br />
Jamaica. In the studio, the musicians renewed<br />
these sytyles.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: So Coxsonne was the<br />
source?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Yes, Coxsonne and the<br />
musicians who were in the studio all the time.<br />
And at a certain moment, he must have heard<br />
something, something that Lloyd played - I‘m<br />
not sure, because I was not there as it happened.<br />
I think Coxsonne wants him to change<br />
the beat, rather than enact, what he brought<br />
with him: Merengue, Samba, etc. He got the<br />
idea to mix the rhythms. And so the Ska was<br />
done. Lloyd could play the songs so, that they<br />
got a completely new character. So, I would<br />
say, Lloyd Knibb was the one who originated<br />
the ska. And I am very happy that there are still<br />
young musicians who are very interested in<br />
playing the ska instead of the reggae.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: There are young Jamaican<br />
musicians who still play ska?
Doreen Shaffer: Yes, yes, all the young<br />
bands. And it‘s good to know that they do it<br />
still, after all these years.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: I‘m not sure, but if younger<br />
people speak about reggae in Europe these<br />
days, Dancehall is the thing, they mean.<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Yes, of course, there is a new<br />
thing today, music has to get along with that.<br />
Sooner or later there is someone with a new<br />
idea. No matter if Bob Marley has changed the<br />
music culture or other Jamaican artists such as<br />
Beenie Man and Lady Saw do currently with<br />
Dancehall. About Ska, they still know everything<br />
and it‘s good that ska is still alive and<br />
they talk about it.<br />
So the bottom line is you can get young<br />
musicians for the music, if you make them<br />
understand that they can do what you are<br />
doing. That does not mean that a musician‘s<br />
life would be easy. It often looks simple and<br />
exciting, but it is not easy. Not everyone wants<br />
to get up at two o‘ clockin‘ the night to drive to<br />
the next concert. As a musician, I have to travel<br />
a lot and need a lot of time for my job. It is the<br />
devotion, you dedicate your life to music, if you<br />
really want to get ahead.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: So you could say that the<br />
unlimited passion for music is the core of the<br />
Jamaican sounds? So there is no problem with<br />
the dancehall thing?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: No, there is no problem.<br />
Everyone is influenced by his style of music, of<br />
which there are many in Jamaica. That there is<br />
an interest in what was going on, where that<br />
music comes from, is important and good to<br />
know.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: OK! But what do you think<br />
about Europe. Here, the Dancehall has got a<br />
very young audience, mostly doesn`t know<br />
much about the roots of it.<br />
Doreen Shaffer: No, no, no, for sure not in<br />
Jamaica. I‘m sure they will learn the basics in<br />
school. There is a curriculum for music, starting<br />
from Mento of Rhythm and Blues, to merengue,<br />
waltz and whatever, finally processing ska,<br />
rock steady and finally Dancehall.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Thus is taught at the<br />
school or the music-school?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Yes, in the music school in<br />
Jamaica. The musicians of the Skatalites grew<br />
up with the Alpha Boys School. That was her<br />
chance to do what they wanted. Not every proposed<br />
a musical career. The school stands for<br />
competence. Those who leave school has got<br />
particular skills. So we went to this school. And<br />
so it is today, with new students. The Alpha Boy<br />
School produces outstanding young musicians,<br />
who learned all about the history of Jamaican<br />
music very well. And that is good to know.<br />
This does not mean that young musicians<br />
tour around the world with new Jamaican ska<br />
music projects, but they learn all about the ska<br />
in the school. Take the Skatalites: From the original<br />
cast only Lloyd Knibb, Lester Sterling and<br />
myself are left. All the other musicians are new<br />
people, but they are very good musicians. And<br />
they keep this music alive. Or let‘s look at the<br />
Moon Invaders. They are very good musicians,<br />
veeery good musicians. I‘m impressed.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: So you like the sound of<br />
the Moon Invaders. Are there other European<br />
ska bands you like?<br />
11<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Yes, when I was here for a<br />
solo performance the first time, I played with<br />
the Senior Allstars. Then I played for Moskito /<br />
Grover Records and I have been introduced to<br />
some other musicians from Texas, The Stingers,<br />
with whom I played. This time I play with Soulfood<br />
International, as the Moon Invaders are<br />
on the road. I‘ve already played with them in<br />
a concert in Rosslau, along with Norma Frazer<br />
and Dawn Penn. It was beautiful. They have it<br />
out. They are very good musicians.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: What about bands in<br />
general, in spite of your backing bands. Are you<br />
interested in European bands or artists from<br />
Japan?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: I was on tour with „Soul International.<br />
They are also very good musicians.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Are there still Mento bands<br />
in Jamaica?
Doreen Shaffer: Mento is to be found in the<br />
hotels. It is played for tourists, not too much musicians,<br />
but some do. Without great claims, only<br />
for entertainment as on the beach next to a fire.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: What about politics, the<br />
Rastafarian movement, and these issues?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Well, I have a lot of friends,<br />
but I do not really discuss politics. There is a<br />
good saying „It‘s up to you, make of it what you<br />
want“. This applies to me.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: There is no necessary connection<br />
to ska music?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: No, no, no. There currently<br />
are Rastafarian, playing ska, because they work<br />
in a band. I would love to sing, but I won`t impose<br />
a culture or religion on anyone. All that I care<br />
is about the music.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: So you think it is more a<br />
matter of Great Britain and Europe to combine<br />
ska and policy?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Yes, that‘s what I think. I have<br />
no problem, so I won`t construct any. I have no<br />
problem, I can go anywhere and work, without<br />
getting into trouble.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Do you know the german<br />
artist Gentleman?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Gentleman? We met on one<br />
or the other festival. I believe in Cologne for the<br />
first time. I‘m not sure. I was on stage before<br />
him. However, I know that name. But we have<br />
not really worked together. He is a very good<br />
performer, as well as Dr. Ring Ding.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: What do you think about<br />
European artists coming to jamaica to let themselves<br />
down?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Well, I do not know. I guess<br />
they want to know something about Jamaica.<br />
Then they come here. Most of them will not<br />
settle. I treat this very respectful.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Ska is a Jamaican style that is<br />
played by many bands around the world, which<br />
often also cover songs on stage. Is this a problem<br />
for you?<br />
Doreen Shaffer: When I write songs, then I<br />
registrate it to avoid the trouble that someone<br />
claims them for hisself. In interviews, I am often<br />
asked about „Sugar, Sugar“. Well, „Sugar, Sugar“ is a<br />
song from my Studio One time. I had it on paper<br />
and went into the studio, where Laurel Aitken<br />
was. Sir Coxsonne asked Laurel in my presence to<br />
dip into my songpaper. When I showed him my<br />
notes, he just said: the second verse should be<br />
the first verse and vice versa. So it was no writing<br />
or something like that. So he has not intervened<br />
further, but he played this song. I was annoyed,<br />
because no one has granted me the song.<br />
So I have no problem if Laurel sang the song, but<br />
it‘s not his song. I went into the studio with a prepared<br />
song. I wanted to make clear that these are<br />
my songs, that I was the one who wrote „Sugar,<br />
Sugar“. As soon as my music is finished, I registrate<br />
it. When a song is covered for a live concert, that‘s<br />
fine. The situation is different with recordings.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: What about the many bands<br />
who try to be authentic and fail.<br />
Doreen Shaffer: You know, everyone should<br />
get his chance. They play as good as they can and<br />
by the practice they get better. I respect that!<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: What do you think about<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>! ? An internet magazine for ska<br />
and reggae, where you can also buy songs and<br />
albums digital?<br />
Discography (excerp):<br />
A Rainbow / Just You And I 7“ Caltone 1967<br />
The Vow / Why Didn‘t You Say 7“ GAS 1969<br />
Ten Cent / Stay with me forever 7“ Unity 1970<br />
Midnight 7“, Single Jackpot 1971<br />
Adorable Album Grover Records 1997<br />
Doreen Shaffer - Groovin with the Moon Invaders<br />
... and on many many compilations<br />
Album Grover Records 2009<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Yes, yes, I know there<br />
are many people with a passion for modern<br />
techniques. I know the Internet a little! They<br />
have books there, why not a magazine. The<br />
technology transforms our habits. I know this<br />
not too much, but I am trying it.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Shortly before the release<br />
of issue 1 of <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!, we have operated<br />
a large research on the Internet. We have come<br />
across many bands that we have never heard<br />
about before, although we are into ska for<br />
many years! We want to bring all this music<br />
together.<br />
Doreen Shaffer: Yes, yes, there are many<br />
musicians out there. Some of them promise<br />
a lot. Perhaps within the audience there will<br />
be a producer who likes a song or a band and<br />
offers a production or a job. The opportunities<br />
are here!<br />
OW<br />
now on tour<br />
dates on page 28<br />
www.rockingsteady.com<br />
cD available Soon!
Clinton Fearon<br />
review the glaDiator FightS again!<br />
Clinton Fearon is a living legend of reggae<br />
history. At the age of 17 he formed his first<br />
band. A year later, in 1969, he was taken to<br />
The Gladiators by Erroll Grandisson, which just<br />
celebrated their first major success with „Hello<br />
Caroll“. As Gladiator Fearon did numerous recordings<br />
for various producers and labels (Coxsone<br />
Dodd / Studio 1, Virgin UK, Nighthawk,<br />
Heart Beat) and contributed significantly to<br />
the great success of „Chatty Chatty Mouth“,<br />
„Richman Poorman“, „On The Other Side“ and<br />
„Can You Imagine How I Feel“. As a regular musician<br />
for Coxsone Dodd‘s Studio One and Lee<br />
Perry‘s Black Ark studio, he shaped the sound<br />
of Junior Byles, Max Romeo and other artists.<br />
Since 1987 Seattle is the adopted home of<br />
the Jamaican. He set up new<br />
projects and thus began<br />
his solo career,<br />
which he used for<br />
experiments, but<br />
not for compromise.<br />
The<br />
publications by<br />
The Defenders,<br />
as well as his<br />
later albums<br />
have always<br />
got new ideas<br />
and a special<br />
aim, which<br />
always fetched<br />
the best of<br />
Clinton Fearon.<br />
Accordingly,<br />
the discography<br />
is<br />
extensive.<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
It is noticeable that the albums are highlighted<br />
anyway: Fearon goes Dub, Feoron live on fire<br />
or Fearon on an acoustic set. All productions<br />
have been praised very much. They show<br />
the versatility of Fearon and his loyalty to his<br />
musical attitude.<br />
„Mi Deh Yah“<br />
And he stands there today, as many records<br />
before, with a new concept: he has found even<br />
more to himself and crowned his definition of<br />
Roots Reggae with the current release. And it<br />
sounds as if he had arrived once again, where<br />
it all began, only more mature, better, more experienced<br />
and with a grown love to his music.<br />
„Mi Deh Yah“ sounds as contemporary as well<br />
as authentic. On the sophisticated production<br />
that Clinton Fearon has taken over himself, he<br />
moves gracefully and skillfully through various<br />
facets of reggae, as if he had never done<br />
anything else! He lets his selected musicians<br />
from the Boogie Brown Band sufficient space,<br />
so that they can contribute their enviable<br />
talent and experience without losing the core<br />
of his compositions. Each song is enhanced<br />
optimal with skilful instrumentation. Whether<br />
excellent background vocals, a prominent organ<br />
or the use of stringed instruments. The fact<br />
that he has devoted his life entirely to music<br />
is clearly audible. Already the first track „Life is<br />
a Yourney“ confirms the general impression: „I<br />
have got a song, the story of my life, i will sing<br />
that song, and I hope you understand.“ In „What<br />
a World,“ he asks in seasoned reggae style for<br />
our values. Clinton Fearon shows optimism<br />
(„Better Days“) and combat power. Virtues that<br />
characterize his music as stylistically authentic<br />
reggae music. With „Focus“, he produces a<br />
13<br />
wonderful ska instrumental, which surpasses<br />
many of today‘s instrumental publications.<br />
The chorus sounds like a cleverly harmonized<br />
reminiscence to the well known track „Don` t<br />
stay out late „.<br />
At least five songs from the album could be<br />
succesful singles. They all have good chances<br />
to reach a very good place in the top list of<br />
reggae music. „What a world,“ „Rock and a hard<br />
place“ and „Are you ready”, are comparable<br />
with good, successful Bob Marley productions.<br />
For the big hit they are just too late. Even“ Mi<br />
Deh Yah“ and „Jamaica“ belong to the upper<br />
class of Roots Reggae. It was to be expected.<br />
Clinton Fearon proves once again that he<br />
has a trained, fine ear for reggae music. The<br />
originator indicates that roots reggae today<br />
can be just as alive as in former glorious days.<br />
His adherence to the great days of the vocal<br />
trio highlights the importance of polyphonic<br />
singing for an authentic roots sound. „Mi Deh<br />
Yah“ is equally a masterpiece for all roots fans<br />
as well as teaching material for the younger<br />
generation of ambitious roots musicians. The<br />
album has got the potential to become the<br />
current favorite album of all reggae fans.<br />
now on tour<br />
dates on page 28<br />
www.rockingsteady.com<br />
cD available Soon!<br />
LP- / CD-Veröffentlichungen (Auszug):<br />
Disturb the Devil 1994<br />
Mystic Whisper 1997<br />
What a System 1999<br />
Soon Come 2002<br />
Give and Take 2005<br />
Mi An‘ Mi Guitar 2005<br />
Vision 2006<br />
Faculty of Dub 2008<br />
Mi Deh Yah 2010
Rocksteady - the roots of reggae<br />
review DvD out now !<br />
www.rocksteadyrootsofreggae.com | Foto: © Madelene Gentinetta<br />
After the Swiss / Canadian co-production directed<br />
by Stascha Bader debut last year, it recently<br />
could be seen in the cinemas in germany and<br />
switzerland. Previously the brilliant soundtrack<br />
to the film was published by the Hamburg label<br />
Moll-Selekta. Since 15 October the declaration of<br />
love for the traditional Jamaican style of music is<br />
available on DVD as well.<br />
The journey to the Golden Age of Rock <strong>Steady</strong>,<br />
whose lead Stranger Cole has personally taken<br />
over, shows the meeting of those who have<br />
invented and marked the rock steady by today,<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
those who still wear this time untarnished in<br />
their hearts and those for whome it was important<br />
to capture their chapter in reggae history<br />
for posterity. For the documentary „Rocksteady<br />
- The Roots of Reggae“ numerous Caribbean<br />
musicians reunited after 40 years in Jamaica: Hopeton<br />
Lewis, now a gospel reggae singer in New<br />
York, which started with 16 with his first rock<br />
steady song „Take It Easy“; Dawn Penn, now working<br />
as a social worker in London, whose Rock<br />
<strong>Steady</strong> song „You Do not Love Me, No, No, No“<br />
became a world hit and was covered by many<br />
other bands, Stranger Cole („Love Me Today“),<br />
who left Jamaica for a new life in Canada, Marcia<br />
Griffiths, the „Queen of Reggae“, which has<br />
never interrupted her solo career („The Tide Is<br />
High“), Ken Boothe, who is still active on reggae<br />
festivals around the planet („Shanty Town (007)“);<br />
Derrick Morgan („Thougher Than Though“), the<br />
famous ska singer, who had many rock steady<br />
hits, Leroy Sibbles („Equal Rights“), who wrote<br />
countless rock steady and reggae songs as part<br />
of the „Heptones“, U Roy („ Stop That Train „), the<br />
famous „toaster“, which is considered one of<br />
the godfathers of American rap, Judy Mowatt<br />
(„Silent River Runs Deep“), the Marcia Griffiths<br />
and Rita Marley, the former „I-Three“, the famous<br />
singing trio of Bob Marley and the Wailers. They<br />
gladly remember the good old days and enjoy<br />
making music together after so many years. As<br />
„Rock <strong>Steady</strong> All Stars“ they recorded an album<br />
with legendary hits of the Rock <strong>Steady</strong> era at<br />
their meeting, which, like the film, is highly<br />
recommended to any reggae fan.<br />
www.rocksteadyrootsofreggae.com<br />
<strong>Download</strong> Special<br />
“No, No, No”-Remix with<br />
best greetings from Stascha Bader
Ska Boomtown Berlin<br />
berlin aS city oF muSic<br />
titelthema<br />
Berlin as a city of music! This is nothing new.<br />
Lately „The Seed“ brought their hometown<br />
inflationary into their musical accomplishments.<br />
Peter Fox also did solo. With „Schwarz zu<br />
Blau,“ he wins the Federal Vision Song Contest<br />
representative for Berlin. His first album he<br />
calls „Stadtaffe“ and includes the city into his<br />
musical approach again. This, however, he is<br />
anything but a pioneer. For no less than The<br />
Scorpions had linked the city with popular<br />
music with their anthem „Wind of Change“, by<br />
sealing the fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago<br />
with music. Previously, Alphaville sung „Summer<br />
in Berlin“ (1984). Or Reinhard Fendrich,<br />
who evokes the „Spring in Berlin,“ as Reinhard<br />
Mey did before him numerous times. The list of<br />
musical contributions is really long: Falco, U2,<br />
Pink Floyd, Exploited, Ute Lemper, the Prince,<br />
Pussycat Dolls, Bushido, the one-hit TV Wonder<br />
Martin Kesici, BAP, In Extremo, Madsen, the<br />
Pudhys and Karat.<br />
And and and!<br />
It`s good that Berlin has to offer some other<br />
songs, which bear the title: Marlene Dietrich<br />
sang Berlin in almost all of her songs, Hildegard<br />
Knef did also, Frank Sinatra and Rio Reiser, Ton<br />
Steine Scherben, Udo Lindenberg , Einstürzende<br />
Neubauten, Die Ärzte, Nina Hagen, Element<br />
of Crime, Virginia now as well as MIA did again<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
and again. Roger Cicero presented it with his<br />
song „So geil Berlin“ and Leonard Cohen taught<br />
us long ago: „First you take Manhattan, then<br />
you take Berlin“ (1988). Harald Juhnke alone<br />
and the Ramones finally ensure that Berlin can<br />
be proud of its musically blarney. And then<br />
there were a lot of really good ska-projects<br />
that make Berlin these days a Ska Boom Town,<br />
against which it is not easy to pass in terms of<br />
offbeat.<br />
It is the new single of the Berlin ska stalwarts<br />
“The Butlers”, which after their comeback a<br />
year ago, most recently published “Ich steh auf<br />
Berlin” as the herald for their for January 2011<br />
planned album. How could it be otherwise –<br />
their single is almost certainly the latest release<br />
in the round of berlin-affine song poets. The<br />
song itself is known from the heyday of the<br />
German New Wave, performed by the group<br />
“Ideal” in 1980 as their contribution to the<br />
„Berlin Songbook.“ How did it happen, that<br />
The Butlers will warm up the “Neue Deutsche<br />
Welle” and what we could expect from the new<br />
album, The Butlers revealed in an interview.<br />
Lord Mouse & the Kalypso Katz is the excellent<br />
name for an extraordinary project that must<br />
be one out of the ska-metropolis Berlin. And if<br />
there is already a true Calypso project, we want<br />
15<br />
to know more about the musicians behind it. In<br />
our interview Lord Mouse and General Confusion<br />
told us, why their kittens dance Calypso.<br />
Finally, there are three debut albums, a number<br />
two and an awesome project to discuss to<br />
complete the Berlin-Special: “TheUnlimiters”,<br />
“Arthur and the Spooners” and “The Magic<br />
Touch” have very different, but great new<br />
albums. The Berlin Boom Orchestra is already in<br />
the second round of publication. And Tommy<br />
Tornado realized his dream.
The Butlers<br />
interview ich Steh auF berlin<br />
They are here again! Since about one year, The<br />
Butlers are back again and present their current<br />
single „I steh auf Berlin“ of there upcoming<br />
album, which they will publish in January. We<br />
already had the chance to listen to it and spoke<br />
with The Butlers about the single, the new<br />
album and the rosy future of the famous Berlin<br />
Band:<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: The Butlers aka, ... you also<br />
named your recent “Lionsclub” project. But this<br />
time it does not seem to be an alias instead<br />
of the band name, but the title of the album,<br />
you will release in january? And this time you<br />
do not slip into the role of supposedly socially<br />
committed noble men, but into the role of a<br />
blind butler: BensonMam! The character you<br />
surely took out of the 70‘s parody thriller „Eine<br />
Leiche zum Dessert“!. Is it because of your cineastic<br />
weakness you`ve shown in many of your<br />
works before, or just as a pun, commenting the<br />
matter of you new recordings?<br />
JamesSir BensonMam: We do not have<br />
to start with Alfie and Emma Peel - very nice,<br />
someone with cinematic knowledge - what<br />
would actually be your favorite song to cover,<br />
by the way? The nickname was actually our<br />
companion the last 25 years. At that time because<br />
we have jointly written under this pseudonym<br />
- so we are all BensonMam from time<br />
immemorial. Now, because it simply makes<br />
clear the new section of The Butlers as Benson<br />
Mam. The Butlers of 2011 are BensonMam!<br />
As you say our relation to film music is even<br />
expressed on the „Lionsclub“ recordings, but<br />
we had relations to film music already on the<br />
first disc of us, „No Doubt“. We rocked „Suck it<br />
t em J.B.“ in order not to cover „James Bond<br />
the Killer“ as lots of bands did then and in<br />
order not to forgo to record our homage to<br />
the films of the Sixities. On the 2nd Disc „Time<br />
Tunnel“ finally our version of „The Avengers“,<br />
we performed live before, here better known<br />
as the theme song of „Mit Schirm, Charme und<br />
Melone“. On the „Trash for Cash“-album I think<br />
we had only one track from the movie hit „The<br />
Harder They Come,“ but the „Aktuelle Sportstudio“<br />
and „You Never Walk Alone“ on the scandal<br />
5 - great stuff! The disc „Wanjas Choice“ was<br />
completely dedicated to film and movie tunes<br />
and perhaps some people still do not know,<br />
we developed and recorded it while the first<br />
break of our singer within 14 days. Lions club<br />
became the perfection of what just began. In<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
2002 after the split, Lionsclub was born out of<br />
the necessity to work with guest singers and<br />
guest musicians from around the world (NL,<br />
U.S., JP and RU).<br />
SølveSir BensonMam: I think at this point<br />
we can also say that we will use the name “BensonMam”<br />
more often in the future. Because it<br />
corresponds to what we do and plan more and<br />
more. How JamesSir said, we are all Benson-<br />
Mam from the very first days in 1986. Also as a<br />
tribute to our first organist Thommy who died<br />
much too early.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: In the run up to your next<br />
album you released the single „Ich steh auf<br />
Berlin!“, a selected cover that stands out not<br />
only by the German text, but generally tends<br />
toward a kind of dancehall sound. The album<br />
picks up this tendency only very limited and is<br />
rather a very playful variant of your very own<br />
The Butlers-Sound as a musical new beginning<br />
that could be suggested because of the vanguard<br />
“Ich steh auf Berlin”?<br />
JamesSir BensonMam: Berlin is really<br />
important for us. It is simply a great ode to our<br />
beloved hometown! What could be better than<br />
Oranienburger and Tacheles, Oranienstraße<br />
and SO36, Columbiadamm and C-Club, Schönhauser<br />
and Kesselhaus. But the track represents<br />
our style as always. On the new album we<br />
wanted to record a simple and pure ska sound.<br />
It is typical, then something like that happens.<br />
Ok, by Richie‘s superb guest performance it<br />
gets even this Ragga Stylee, but hey, that‘s our<br />
strength since Lions Club: to involve people<br />
and broaden our style. All due to our passion<br />
for the music styles that we love! Just listen to<br />
the other cover „Back 2 Black“, which handles<br />
the the challenge of interpretation similar: do<br />
something else and let it roll, get some pretty<br />
girls with great voices into the studio.<br />
SølveSir BensonMam:We recorded „Berlin“<br />
in a rocking PunkSka version at the same time<br />
(Released on Pork Pie, The Spirit of Ska), and<br />
the dancehall version nips the PunkSka one,<br />
so we chose to put the first one on “A.K.A. BensonMam”.<br />
And we also did a video from the fast<br />
english version. This again reflects the actual<br />
bandwidth of the Butlers sounds. As a musical<br />
beginning you can`t realize it this way, if you<br />
stay true to yourself and your style - a band will<br />
always sound like it sounds ...<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: There are lots of experiments<br />
on the album (Caribbean rhythms in<br />
the interlude to “Abbeys Wonderland” mixed<br />
with spoken word and nice trombone-sounds;<br />
guest singer at “It`s raining”, which moves<br />
ventured far away from the ska, usually without<br />
losing your butlers-sound). Is it your experience<br />
that provokes such developments automatically?<br />
JamesSir BensonMam: This is the hottest<br />
disc of our history – hey! how many times can<br />
you release a 25years anniversary album! I<br />
saw Waki and Alfi with „Yebo“ when I was 18. I<br />
admired them in the “Basement”, when we just<br />
have created the Butlers. To have them on our<br />
own recordings now, and not just for one song,<br />
is simply GREAT!<br />
Yes, as I have said since „Lionsclub“ we have<br />
managed to gain a family of friends, who help<br />
us to capture the visual and energetic fireworks<br />
of a „The Butlers aka BensonMam“ live show on<br />
a studio production through their musical work<br />
experience. Daniel from „Time Tough“, Waki<br />
from „Jazzbo“, Alfi from „Seeed“, Rob ... When we<br />
asked Guido from „Engine 54“ to play a roots<br />
reggae Lead-Guitar on „Abbeys Wonderland“<br />
and went to the studio and listened to his super<br />
crazy Africa- styled sounds, I just said „Yesss,<br />
maan, Afrikaa rocks - great!“ The title is from<br />
the same session before our reunion, where<br />
we wanted to get something like a skasession<br />
on the beach into the studio - acoustic guitars,<br />
Cajon, Fender Rhodes and a maximum of a<br />
Sax, should open a „I sit and look at the sunset<br />
„feeling. Nana with her lovely lead vocals surely<br />
adds a new facet to my banging on the new<br />
album, but this is also a reminiscence of the<br />
„Time Tunnel“ (1994) on which she already<br />
warbled „Love Street“ and the backing vocals.<br />
Who knows the album „Tribute“ from „Engine<br />
54“ (where SølveSir rocked guitar for years and<br />
Wowo played drums from time to time ), is<br />
aware of her as one of the sweetest singers of<br />
the skascene. Incidentally, you should incorporate<br />
this record on <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!<br />
SølveSir BensonMam:JamesSir has already<br />
said everything. Especially, the „Time Tunnel“<br />
disc was blistered for the mix then, and for the<br />
„experiments“ you mentioned, (which aren`t<br />
experiments). Years later we were praised for<br />
this type of extreme interpretation of ska.
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Is the single release in this<br />
respect a taste of your flexibility, or simply due<br />
to the great musical open-mindedness, as it<br />
can be heard clearly at BensonMam?<br />
JamesSir BensonMam: We love Soul,<br />
traditional Ska, Roots-Reggae and Rocksteady.<br />
At last we are able to implement this to<br />
some extent - I mean, we‘ve got a super tight<br />
drummer SlySir BensonMam, a fresh and gifted<br />
organist MarqueeSir, the lovely backing Girls:<br />
KristinMam, BensonSir and SeldaMam ... Move<br />
on up! up, up!<br />
SølveSir BensonMam:The main thing is not<br />
to play just common ska, it should push. Flexible<br />
yes, but not ordinary ... “Berlin” is a tribute to<br />
our hometown. Non-Berlin people please do<br />
not take this amiss, but the city still feels very<br />
good and we can think of no other in Germany<br />
to live there. A major reason for this title.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: It is quite possible the<br />
most soulful disc, „The Butlers“ presented so<br />
far. With skillful, background vocals, good<br />
arrangements, very pithy winds and strong<br />
organ sound you built soulful walls in front<br />
of your offbeats. Isn`t this a very own Butlers<br />
feature that turned out on “a.k.a. BensonMam”<br />
like never before?<br />
JamesSir BensonMam: It was the bitter<br />
taste then – as we tried to integrate soul<br />
influences and were brought back into line by<br />
the Ska-Police - at the shows people did not<br />
even know how to dance to it and that it is the<br />
coolest stuff. - That was really hard pioneering<br />
work with blood, sweat and depression. Today<br />
the boys and girls down are much more open,<br />
even now many people know Northern Soul<br />
and how to jerk. Now we get the tributes,<br />
which we have so desired then. Of course<br />
nowadays we can realize much better what we<br />
want to say musically. Just compare a „Real Hot<br />
Day“ („No Doubt“) Caribic-try with a „Butterfly“<br />
skinhead reggae or a „Wake Up“ Rock <strong>Steady</strong>.<br />
It`s far away from the nowadays-compositons –<br />
there is a quarter century inbetween.<br />
If someone don`t like it – so what! I think you‘re<br />
right, with “aka BensonMam” our vision became<br />
the strongest output so far. And it is all about<br />
the making of, to have fun and enjoy, that we<br />
can still make the music that we honour.<br />
SølveSir BensonMam:That`s it. Jerking and<br />
skanking, with a lot of pressure (as already said)<br />
and eggs! Even if we had an eight years break,<br />
we probably haven*t unlearned, quite the<br />
converse...<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: I have the impression that<br />
the album improves, the more often I hear it.<br />
Do you agree?<br />
JamesSir BensonMam: It isn`t a compliment,<br />
but it hits the nail on the head - I think it<br />
was always like that! At that time I always had<br />
to listen to criticism about the strange voice of<br />
our singer, what has annoyed and hurt like hell.<br />
Today this doesn`t matter anyway. We have<br />
such an awesome fan base and credibility that<br />
I‘m just happy when someone likes to listen to<br />
our disc again and again. Recently in Dresden<br />
an 18 year old says he got the disc burned by<br />
his sister (without a label) and so he and his<br />
buddies called us the „All My Money“ band,<br />
because this one fits perfectly to their situation<br />
then. At last he could see us live in the Groove<br />
Station - all my money all my money all my<br />
moneys gone ...<br />
SølveSir BensonMam:Hits on an album or<br />
not. There is nothing worse than a show of<br />
a one-hit-wonder band. You are waiting the<br />
entire show for „one song“. E.g. King Kong - you<br />
know by whom (what a great title) and besides<br />
of it not much more ... We have many albums,<br />
which pack a punch at the second hearing,<br />
which causes huge problem live - we could<br />
play three hours and there would always be<br />
people who have missed a special title for<br />
themselves ...<br />
Thus, a complete album, which wins in the<br />
entirety, the more often one hears it, is a great<br />
compliment and some dynamite, when it is<br />
played live.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Then you play tracks like<br />
“Berlin-Moskau”, that could be one of your<br />
earliest works. How is that?<br />
JamesSir BensonMam: Haha, „Let‘s make a<br />
track, Matzge would like - you still remember<br />
those days?“ Paranoia I meant as Sølve arrived<br />
with the title. And the result really was an<br />
awesome Sing-a-long heyheeeeyyyheyyy. By<br />
the way, the title was first called “Tokyo lights”<br />
and was about a girl named Ishi before a job in<br />
Moscow intervened.<br />
SølveSir BensonMam:Because we are we.<br />
As I said, we did not want to reinvent ourselves<br />
again. And the title has been consistent and logical<br />
in the tradition of The Butlers. Despite our<br />
advanced age, besides the roots of ska and<br />
17<br />
soul, we`ve got the little punk in our hearts. The<br />
rebel, that changes men to little wayward boys.<br />
This is also a sure sign that rocking keeps you<br />
young ...<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: The only weakness of the<br />
very danceable album is, that according the<br />
melodies and the lyrics it could be something<br />
more. Do you limit the singing front man with<br />
your massive arrangements and lots of background<br />
vocals too much?<br />
JamesSir BensonMam: The title „P.U.S.H.“<br />
(Pray until something happens) makes everything<br />
quite clear (You have a booklet, and<br />
thus the text download included in the download<br />
of the entire album on your side, right?)<br />
And „Stormy Weather“ tells a part of this story ...<br />
When I then sometimes felt quite dirty because<br />
someone has ripped me off totally and the Jaguar<br />
in the garage was gone, we only buyed at<br />
Aldi, asked friends to call back with their flatrate<br />
and my relationship was near the end. There<br />
Sølve came and has saved me with the words,<br />
„Come on, let`s do a reunion - but you have to<br />
sing“ Let`s see how we manage this – forget it,<br />
we will manage it, push it ... and so it started.<br />
The bulky back vocal arrangements are simply<br />
a tribute to the sixties sounds like both, the<br />
Heptones („Bye Bye Butterfly“) and the Marvin<br />
Gays („Stormy Wheather“). And anyway, if you<br />
would have asked Terry H, Bob (ne, not Nesta)<br />
or Joe D. P. 35 years ago such a question! This is<br />
just the beginning! Whoever parts, can tell this<br />
his grandsons.<br />
SølveSir BensonMam:We were always a<br />
conglomerate of all musicians. So the rhythm<br />
section,the horns, the backing vocals and the<br />
singer are combating against each other. But<br />
www.rockingsteady.com<br />
cD available Soon!
not only The Butlers have to get along with<br />
this. In addition, there is another different<br />
question: Why do “The Butlers” have the „best<br />
looking frontman“ in Europe? An absolute<br />
genius and heartthrob entertainer who carries<br />
along the combo and the audience?<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: What could the audience<br />
expect at your upcoming gigs from you? “The<br />
Butlers” or “aka BensonMam”?<br />
JamesSir BensonMam: Concentrated power<br />
with Butlers BensonMams and Sirs!<br />
SølveSir BensonMam:20 years ago I would<br />
have said, we‘ll play naked and burn our instruments<br />
before we fall from the stage drunken.<br />
Don`t miss it ...<br />
But, to be honest, 2 hours of live power with<br />
the Butlers and JamesSir BesonMam. Old hits,<br />
extracts from Lionsclub titles and new won-<br />
derful songs of the upcoming album. We will<br />
always have guests here who perform with us.<br />
An evening full of surprises. And it will be loud<br />
for sure!<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Is there any plans beyond<br />
“aka BensonMam”? Perhaps some more songs<br />
with german lyrics, which you proved successful<br />
with „Ich steh auf Berlin“, “Kann es sein” and<br />
“Sonnenschein” on “aka BensonMam”?<br />
JamesSir BensonMam: German lyrics has<br />
always been a kind of secret affair for us - great<br />
if you are not married with. With „Kann es sein“<br />
we have just had one of the most honest lyrics<br />
in german, so it is a lot of fun to interpret such<br />
a Highlite again. But the skascene is so international<br />
that it would be a shame to restrict it.<br />
First, there was the idea of a real plate with side<br />
A) in german side B) in english. But hey!; CDs<br />
Lord Mouse & The Kalypso Katz<br />
capital calypSo From the reSt oF the worlD<br />
interview<br />
Countless musicians and dancers, dressed<br />
smart, smiling to the a..rms. Lord Mouse<br />
himself, whom is easy to recognize as frontman<br />
by its presence, beside him the dancing<br />
Kalypso Kats and the party starts.<br />
No, it is not one of those moderately entertaining<br />
holiday-party-band-projects. Lord Mouse<br />
& The Kalypso Katz seem quite serious. The<br />
Berlin group, whose members came together<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
from all over the world, invents the Calypso<br />
again. Lord Mouse dares, what few would<br />
have dared to dream: a traditional calypso<br />
project for the urban entertainment of today<br />
with very much authenticity, as the album<br />
shows in every single note. Our wish is finally<br />
fulfilled, the thin end of the wedge is done:<br />
The Calypso Revival can start now!<br />
We talked with Lord Mouse about his crazy,<br />
are already oldschool. Therefore it hasbecome<br />
only three songs, available somewhere on the<br />
USB stick. On the vinyl album we`ll place wise .<br />
SølveSir BensonMam:So there are enough<br />
plans for 10 more years. First, we shoot a video<br />
in December, tour clubs in February and March<br />
and play a lot of Open Air‘s. Also we`ll play<br />
abroad. We have inquiries from England, Spain<br />
and Japan. Maybe another album. There are<br />
plenty of ideas left. One objective would be to<br />
be nominated for “Eins Live Krone” for the category<br />
„Best Live Band-national“. Think big ...<br />
but great idea and asked General Confusion if<br />
and how good it works:<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Who the hell had this<br />
crazy and brilliant idea to initiate such a<br />
large-scale calypso project? Why do you speak<br />
about a berlin band, while the musicians<br />
come from all over the world.<br />
General Confusion: Thanks for the compliment.<br />
Lord Mouse himself and me, we had<br />
the idea. Although the musicians are from all<br />
over the world, they currently live in Berlin.<br />
Besides Lord Mouse, who commutes between<br />
Berlin and Paris.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Is the project based on<br />
your real love to this kind of music or to fill the<br />
large gap in the European market, speaking<br />
to the peoples need of holiday feeling in<br />
the club next door? Could one accuse Lord<br />
Mouse, that it is not really about the music,<br />
although it definitely sounds very authentic?<br />
Where is your connection to the calypso<br />
from? You did not really drop from a caribbean<br />
tourist fleet, right?<br />
Lord Mouse: We love calypso music and<br />
think that it is a shame that it has been forgotten<br />
over the years, and we would like to see
the genre gain a little more recognition. There<br />
is no real European market for what we do,<br />
but maybe if we have a good deal of success,<br />
who knows? Of course we met on a cruise<br />
ship!!!<br />
General Confusion: One of the first questions<br />
we are usually asked is: „How is it that<br />
you white guys play calypso?” We resist such<br />
stereotypes that only Blacks play calypso music<br />
or that only white guys do the country, etc.<br />
I think music depends on your soul, not on<br />
the colour of your skin. We even wrote a song<br />
about this. We`ll put it on our next album,<br />
which is in progress.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Are there any similar<br />
calypso-bands in Europe, who are producing<br />
and touring these days?<br />
Lord Mouse: There are a few groups around<br />
Europe, but mosty small groups, trios, with<br />
only strings. We are the only calypso group to<br />
have a proper orchestra.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Can you tell us something<br />
more about the project: How do you combine<br />
so many musicians? Did you play together<br />
previously? Did you meet in the self-helpgroup<br />
for lonely calypsonians or are you a<br />
kind of multi-cultural clique or how did you<br />
come together?<br />
General Confusion: The musicians of<br />
„Lord Mouse & the Kalypso Katz” have already<br />
worked together on various projects in different<br />
styles of music. Also we are coupled not<br />
only for playing music together, we are also<br />
friends since many years, what is quite rare for<br />
such a big band.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Is there any preference<br />
for ska, rocksteady and reggae music as well?<br />
Do you target this scene anyway? What about<br />
mento?<br />
General Confusion: This scene is definitely<br />
important for us and we hope that our music<br />
takes many adherents therefrom. Our two<br />
saxophonists also play in a ska band. („The<br />
Unlimiters“, former “The Essentials”)<br />
Lord Mouse: Sure, we play Mento, the<br />
Jamaican version of the Calypso. Calypso has<br />
got the Spanish influence, while Mento was<br />
mainly influenced by the British.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: What is the Masterplan<br />
of Lord Mouse & the Kalypso Katz? Ten more<br />
calypso albums in the next five years or gigs,<br />
gigs and above all gigs?<br />
General Confusion: We want to publish a<br />
new album as soon as possible and of course<br />
we want to play as much as possible, in germany<br />
and abroad. We want to shoot a music<br />
video, and perhaps a small film. The cream of<br />
the crop it would be to play calypso in Trinidad<br />
and get approval from the originators.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Who writes the songs,<br />
who arrange the music and in particular the<br />
horns?<br />
General Confusion: Most of the songs are<br />
written by Lord Mouse and me and I arrange<br />
them involving the creative ideas of all other<br />
musicians.<br />
.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: It is clearly to hear, that<br />
you are all good musicians. Are there any<br />
other projects from you and your musicians?<br />
Lord Mouse: Yes, there are several. In<br />
addition to the ska band already mentioned<br />
above it is a rockabilly group „Teenage Terror“,<br />
a Dubcombo „Brass, Wood and Wires,“ a swing<br />
project „Rue Lascar“ and some country „Comedian<br />
Pharmacists”. I hope I haven‘t`t forgotten<br />
one.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Please tell me, who is able<br />
to pay a band with 17 musicians?<br />
Lord Mouse: * cough cough * cough ****<br />
General Confusion: Of course we need big<br />
stages with such a large band, and also large<br />
fees. Just the costs for transport and accommodation<br />
are immense. But I am sure, as soon<br />
as we gain our popularity in the near future,<br />
several major events will be on alert.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: It is rare, but sometimes<br />
you can find old singles, where music groups<br />
try to play calypso with german lyrics. Since<br />
some time I myself think about founding such<br />
a project. What do you think, could this be an<br />
idea for your performance? Is there a specialinterested<br />
listenership for calypso music or<br />
19<br />
do you think it is easy to inspire the audience<br />
with this groovy kind of music?<br />
General Confusion: If you have a good<br />
german lyrics, why not. However, I am<br />
not sure if that would be something for us.<br />
Lord Mouse would sing with a pretty funny<br />
accent in this case. And concerning the<br />
audience, I think you can inspire people of all<br />
generations.<br />
now on tour<br />
dates on page 28<br />
www.rockingsteady.de<br />
cD available Soon!
Arthur and the Spooners<br />
review<br />
Berlin Boom Orchestra<br />
review<br />
all SpooneD up (contra recorDS)<br />
The party music from Berlin to the cult series<br />
from New York. The quintet around singer<br />
Artie presents after many years on the stage a<br />
compelling debut with „All Spooned Up“, the cd<br />
is enclosed to the vinylalbum.<br />
And musically, the capital city of many companions<br />
differ from the Oi -, street rock and ska<br />
scene. Arthur And The Spooners have a lot of<br />
humor and have decided to record Oi, new<br />
wave and punk classics as party offbeat versions.<br />
They may not be the most excellent musicians,<br />
but their versions of „Johnny Too Bad,“ „Nice Boys<br />
hin unD weg (pork pie/broken Silence)<br />
Musically, the nine musicians of the Berlin<br />
Boom Orchestra are moving between all facets<br />
of the genres Ska, Rock<strong>Steady</strong> and Reggae<br />
successfully. „Throw Out“ is their second studio<br />
album after their debut in 2008, and above all<br />
the distinctive german-language lyrics characterizes<br />
the 18 tracks.<br />
As currently no other band from the capital,<br />
these Berlin guys make their audience dance.<br />
The recorded tracks like „Zwischen gestern<br />
und morgen”, „Ein Tag im November“ or<br />
The Unlimiters<br />
review the unlimiterS (highScore publiShing)<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
Groovy reggae ballads? They can! („Loophole“).<br />
Melodic mid-tempo ska? They can! („Let It Go,“<br />
„Madhouse“). Authentic Instrumentals? They<br />
can! („Casio Maya“ „Extortion,“ „Peking Chicken,“<br />
„Backdoor Buddies“). Rousing up-tempo ska?<br />
They also can! („The Reaper“). On its debut<br />
album the young formation (named “The<br />
Essentials” first) demonstrates that they can<br />
handle the various facets of the offbeat. The<br />
young musicians know their stuff, they can<br />
arrange, compose, and improvise.<br />
They put a lot of love into some details (For<br />
example, the heavy surf-guitar solo on plutonium,<br />
that is taking us into a good old Western<br />
for a short time) A stroke of luck, that „The<br />
(Don‘t Play Ska & Soul)“ or the Billy Bragg-hit<br />
„New England“ have charm and class. And on<br />
„Skanking With Myself“ they even pay tribute to<br />
Billy Idol. But they do not only copy, but gave<br />
the 12 Skinhits always a personal touch.<br />
Conclusion: Arthur & The Spooners - The perfect<br />
soundtrack to the summer at the bar.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
„Meister aller Klassen“ have been enriched<br />
by the team of Kraan de Lutin, who already<br />
celebrated great success with Culcha Candela.<br />
Nevertheless, the BBO could better be compared<br />
with the early Seed than CCS, what just<br />
makes them more likeable. All in all a clear recommendation<br />
for fans of the aforementioned<br />
genres, because the BBO does not shy away to<br />
upgrade there songs with socially critical lyrics,<br />
far away from ‚Party, Party, Party ‚.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
Unlimiters „ share their passion for playing ska<br />
music. The two harmonic voices of the Berlin<br />
band makes them already unmistakable yet.<br />
But they are not finally unique in their sound.<br />
They aren`t arrived there yet. They show their<br />
potential for different options with their first album.<br />
And, as the biography tells us, they want<br />
to be flexible, what their name is promising.<br />
Their sound could be classed somewhere between<br />
The Selecter, The Skatalites and the Two<br />
Tone Club. And I am sure, until the next review<br />
their name is already enqueued in this series<br />
equal and independent.<br />
Hats off! Buy and dance, dance, dance!<br />
OW
The Magic Touch<br />
review<br />
Tommy Tornado<br />
review<br />
love & hate & politrickS (grover rec.)<br />
Magic Alex was member of Soulfood International,<br />
before he moved. Now he started a new<br />
musical career with “The Magic Touch” (Berlin<br />
/ Leipzig). Musically, he remained loyal to the<br />
Jamaican music of the 60sOn, because on the<br />
debut album of his new band ska, rock steady<br />
and reggae dominate.<br />
Although the quintet foremost exists since<br />
2009, the album offers a total of 16 varied compositions,<br />
that have been recorded under the<br />
direction of Jochen Ströh within a week. And it<br />
is truly difficult to pick out one favorite between<br />
SunriSe (ruDe rich recorDS / groover)<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
Thomas Streutgers alias Tommy Tornado is one<br />
of the best saxophonists of the global ska scene.<br />
On his live in Amsterdam recorded solo debut<br />
„Sunrise“, he is accompanied by the dutch colleagues<br />
“The High Notes”.<br />
The predominant number of the 17 titles on<br />
the album are original compositions, that are<br />
enriched by guests as Dennis Alcapone („Next<br />
Target „), Winston Francis („ Door Peeper „),<br />
Rico Rodriguez („Gladiator“) and other giants<br />
of the Jamaican music scene. With excursions<br />
21<br />
the opener, „Gimme Some More“, to „Keep Me<br />
Up All Night“ to „The Blind Leading The Blind“.<br />
In fact, almost all tracks got the potential to be<br />
a hit. If The Magic Touch keep together in this<br />
constellation, they will cause furore within and<br />
outside of Germany soon.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
now on tour<br />
dates on page 28<br />
towards reggae, dancehall and dub, Tommy<br />
Tornado, who is playing with three other bands<br />
in addition to the High Notes, shows entirely his<br />
sophisticated skills in playing sax. But also his<br />
songwriting makes „Sunrise“ more than a hot tip.<br />
Whoever else outside of Jamaica manages already<br />
to win over Ernest Ranglin, Winston Reedy,<br />
Jah Red, and other guests for an album.<br />
Frank Keil
The World of Ska<br />
cover Story<br />
In the last third of our first edition of our zine<br />
we like to continue with ska & reggae-news<br />
from the entire globe. After they became the<br />
favorite band of our originators, it was a must<br />
to interview „The Moon Invaders“ and „The Caroloregians“<br />
from Belgium. The former almost<br />
constantly tour with the big ones of the<br />
jamaican genres and record fabulous<br />
albums on their own, the latter is<br />
currently on tour and maybe on a the<br />
backing band for a new album of Rico<br />
Rodriguez.<br />
Then we review the publications of<br />
Yellow Umbrella from germany<br />
and Open Season from switzerland,<br />
who present their<br />
anniversary release on a large<br />
tour around the country. Finally,<br />
we complete our list of current<br />
releases with bands from Venezu-<br />
Timely for the U.S. and canada tour of the two<br />
belgian acts “The Moon Invaders” and “The Caroloregians”<br />
in summer 2010, Jump Up Records,<br />
the label from Chicago, published a Split-CD<br />
with 16 previously unreleased tracks. Singer<br />
/ guitarist Matthew Hardison and drummer<br />
Nicolas Leonard, who are the head of both<br />
groups, move stylistcally confident between<br />
ska, rocksteady and reggae together with their<br />
colleagues on the from Grover Records for the<br />
german market licensed CD. Because of the<br />
keen flair of the musicians, they also shine with<br />
excursions to styles like pop, jazz, funk and soul.<br />
So „Hot Blood Cold Weather“ is an inventory,<br />
which will suit old and new friends eminently.<br />
On the occasion of the new cd-release of The<br />
Caroloregians we met with the friendly Belgians<br />
for a conversation about the history and<br />
the future of both bands.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: The two groups have<br />
established themselves in the aforementioned<br />
scene since years and are on the top of the<br />
genre in Europe today. How, when and where<br />
did you start?<br />
arounD the worlD ...<br />
ela, Jamaica, Italy, Finland, Germany, Austria,<br />
Switzerland and the United States.<br />
The Moon Invaders v.s. The Caroloregians<br />
j a m a i c a n m u S i c o F t h e 6 0 S<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
Nicolas Leonard: We started with The Moon<br />
Invaders in 1999. After several line up changes<br />
the band found its present cast with nine musicians<br />
around 2001. Right from the start we did<br />
our own compositions. By the energetic wind<br />
trio, The Moon Invaders got the reputation of a<br />
true dance machine. The Caroloregians could<br />
be seen as the stripped-version without the<br />
horns, that tends more towards “funky reggae<br />
for the working class”. Overall we can draw on<br />
a pool of about 20 musicians for both bands,<br />
so we can be easily ready for upcoming shows,<br />
even if someone neads a break or is diseased.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: In addition to the tireless<br />
touring across Europe, both formations attach<br />
much value on studio recordings and found<br />
a congenial partner, the german label Grover<br />
Records, right from the start. You have even a<br />
studio on your own?<br />
Matthew Hardison: That is correct. Nicolas<br />
has set up a studio at home in Charleroi, where<br />
he produced us and other bands like “The<br />
Ratazanas” from Portugal. Thus, concerning<br />
recordings, we are flexible in time and money.<br />
THE<br />
GLOBAL<br />
SKA<br />
SCENE<br />
AND IT‘S<br />
ENTIRE<br />
RELEASES!<br />
Nevertheless we asked renowned guests to<br />
enrich our recordings from the beginning.<br />
Our self-titled debut from 2004 was produced<br />
by Victor Rice, as the successor „Breakin ‚Free“<br />
one year later. And 2007, Vic Ruggiero, front<br />
man and songwriter of the American Slackers<br />
refined our CD „Moovin ‚N‘ Groovin”! Just for<br />
the current live album, which we recorded in<br />
two days in Brussels prestigious club Ancienne<br />
Belgique, a kind of best-of CD, so to speak, we<br />
trusted successfully the local team and the<br />
postprocessing by Nicolas.<br />
From the opener „I Believe“ to „Can`t Keep<br />
A Good Man Down“ to „Natchez Street” the<br />
Walloons underline with their „Live- Ancienne<br />
Belgique“ their creative potential strongly. Pure<br />
energy, stirring melodies, tense harmonies and<br />
exuberant party atmosphere. In short, a hit<br />
collection with history, and both: dance music<br />
with a strong emphasis on rhythm and interesting<br />
influences from pop, jazz and soul.<br />
They alternate between good own compositions<br />
like ‚Walk Don`t Run“ and classic covers<br />
like „Soon You‘ll Be Gone „(The Blues Busters).<br />
And songs like „Strange Little Angel“, „Big<br />
Bamboo“ or „Congo Square“ guarantee quaking<br />
dancefloors.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: This unique charm is also
inherent in the Clash of the Moon<br />
Invaders vs. Caroloregians, because with the<br />
cd in your baggage you toured successfully<br />
USA and Canada. Can you tell us about the<br />
reactions outside of Europe?<br />
Nicolas Leonard: The Belgian government<br />
promotes bands that occur outside the country.<br />
Through this grant, it became possible for us<br />
at all, to organize this tour. Also with the help of<br />
friendly artists and bands, who all contributed<br />
there part to the concert tour, it became a<br />
success. For Matthew and his brother Thomas,<br />
the singing duo form the Moon Invaders, it was<br />
even more special, because their father is from<br />
New Orleans and both grew up over there.<br />
Next year we will try to get another support,<br />
because we would like to tour South America<br />
and especially Brazil.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: Also the new Caroloregians-Album<br />
should be released soon? The recordings<br />
are made, the album is mixed. Which is<br />
the date for the release?<br />
Nicolas Leonard: It will be published via<br />
Grover Records in November, but there is no<br />
title and no finally cover artwork yet. But of<br />
course we are proud that we continue our<br />
successful story with this band. Despite the<br />
francophile name, we do not even chansons<br />
or pop songs, but commute between Acid<br />
Jazz, Sixties, Boogaloo, Reggae and Funk. For<br />
this you have to find some experienced band<br />
members, who made their hobby to their profession<br />
over the years. Overall, in this band the<br />
Hammond organ by Stephen Orban is much<br />
more prominent. And with the debut „Organic<br />
Coal Beat From The Groovy Mines „ (2006) and<br />
the successor „Pum Pum Hotel“ in 2008 we<br />
have had already recorded two successful CD‘s.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: <strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>! visitors<br />
will be pleased that both formations are vinyl<br />
lovers and in cooperation with Grover Records<br />
they offer something very special for all fans.<br />
Matthew Hardison: Yes, there are in fact the<br />
“vinyl only releases”-series from the Groversub<br />
label Supreme in which there have been<br />
published three Deluxe EP Collections yet: The<br />
Caroloregians with „Super Jet Jet“ and „Supersonic“<br />
and The Moon Invaders with „Creole<br />
Crime.“ Also in 2007 the Swiss label Rudeattack<br />
Records published a colored vinyl split single<br />
of both bands, which was limited to 500 copies<br />
and became a rare collectors piece soon.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: As we know your big desire<br />
for playing live, I am sure the fans in Europe<br />
won`t have to stay without The Moon Invaders<br />
and The Caroloregians any longer. Especially<br />
as you regularly accompany the big ones of<br />
the Jamaican music scene as a backing band.<br />
Whith whom have you been on stage yet?<br />
Nicolas Leonard: We are very happy about<br />
this, because at the shows with them you learn<br />
much about the Jamaican music of the 60s<br />
and also we reach a different audience than<br />
with our own shows. In recent years we have<br />
backed Doreen Shaffer (singer of the Skatalites),<br />
Pat Kelly, Rico Rodriguez, Alton Ellis and<br />
Ken Boothe. And it was much fun for sure every<br />
time, but we improved musically with every<br />
collaboration.<br />
<strong>Rocking</strong> <strong>Steady</strong>!: It is certainly very impor-<br />
The Caroloregians (Belgien)<br />
review FunkiFy your reggay (grover rec./cargo)<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
Taking a look behind the scenes of the Caroloregians<br />
from Charleroi, Belgium, will soon intimate<br />
that the sextet around singer / guitarist Matthew<br />
Hardison and drummer Nicolas Leonard devoted<br />
their energy to Jamaican music between<br />
rock steady and reggae on their third album<br />
„Funkify Your Reggae“ again. After the promising<br />
debut of „Organic Coal Beat From The Groovy<br />
Mines „(2006) and the successful „Pum Pum<br />
Hotel“ (2008), the formation again developed significantly.<br />
Inspired by bands like The Upsetters,<br />
the Harry J Allstars and The Meters, the belgian<br />
group proves with „Wake Up Call“, „Karl King<br />
23<br />
tant for creative musicians, to develop despite<br />
the commitment to a particular musical spectrum.<br />
How do you deal with this?<br />
Matthew Hardison: There are always changes<br />
in the bands, everyone wants to advance<br />
in his own life. Take for example our trumpeter<br />
Rolf Långsjön, he currently has the chance to<br />
play at a theater in Brussels, where he earns<br />
good money and so he took a break from touring<br />
with The Moon Invaders. Sure, he comes<br />
back, but we give this kind of freedom to all<br />
musicians. And a few of the band members<br />
became fathers recently, so we respect their<br />
family-interests for sure. But we share a love to<br />
the jamaican music of the 60s for a very long<br />
time, we are a family of musicians, friends. This<br />
friendship will remain, even if there will be the<br />
resolution to dismiss The Moon Invaders and /<br />
or Caroloregians. But we currently do not think<br />
about that, because everything works better<br />
than ever before these days.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
now on tour<br />
dates on page 28<br />
Bash“ or „All My Love Apologies (I‘m Ashamed)“<br />
enough autonomy and creativity to convince<br />
on international level. The fine sense of the six<br />
musicians (most notably the grooving organist<br />
Stephen Orban), makes the album “Funkify Your<br />
Reggay” a great piece of music for both, listening<br />
at home and out on the dancefloor. Thereby<br />
their excursions to neighboring styles perfect<br />
the unique sound of The Caroloregians. So they<br />
stand out against numerous colleagues.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
now on tour<br />
dates on page 28
The Pepper Pots (Spain)<br />
review<br />
The Jolly Boys (Jamaica)<br />
review<br />
Superskank (Germany)<br />
review<br />
n o w ! - b l a c k p e p p e r r e c o r D S<br />
On their third album “The Pepper Pots” manage<br />
the mixture of old school soul and Jamaican<br />
music almost perfectly. Thereby they sound<br />
fresh and almost unique. The equally charming<br />
as voiced singers Merce Munné, Marina Torres<br />
and Adriana Prunell are accomponied by there<br />
male band throughout the eleven new tracks<br />
like „Real Tru Love“ on, “Time To Live“ and “Take A<br />
Chance „ congenial and on a good musical level.<br />
Producer Binky Griptite in cooperation with the<br />
Catalan did well in mixing the ska, rocksteady<br />
great expec tation ( gee jam / piaS )<br />
They are considered Jamaica‘s longest-serving<br />
band, so to speak as Buena Vista Social Club of<br />
the Caribbean Island. The quintet around the<br />
original member Albert Minott from Port Antonio<br />
plays mento and calypso since the late 50‘s.<br />
Their name was given to them by one of their<br />
biggest fans, the U.S. Actor Errol Flynn. Despite<br />
numerous line-up changes the band remained<br />
alive until today, and their average reached<br />
approximately 80. The currently so successful<br />
album „Great Expectation“ was initiated by the<br />
label boss of Gee Street Records, Mr. Baker, who<br />
runs his studio in Kingston. First, he took vintage<br />
Sicher iSt Sicher (Skank rec./broken Silence)<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
With its third CD since 2004, the frankish party<br />
collective Superskank established theirselves<br />
within the german skascene. „Sicher Ist Sicher“<br />
is the new record of the seven musicians from<br />
Nuremberg presenting songs like „Mein Bruder“,<br />
“Photonenhagelschaden” and „6 Milliarden Terroristen“,<br />
which are full of energy and plenty of<br />
fun, musically classed somewhere between ska,<br />
punk and pop. Whether quiet love songs or flaming<br />
anti-terrorist songs, sassy gangster-ballads<br />
or set to music news from the neighborhood,<br />
and soul sounds in three studios in spain and<br />
the united states well. And whoever likes these<br />
stylistic journey into the 6os should also enjoy<br />
the previous albums „Swingin‘Sixties“ and „Shake<br />
It!“. So it is incomprehensible that the band with<br />
a total of eleven people rarely occurs outside<br />
from Spain. About time for them to increase<br />
touring abroad.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
material of the Jolly Boys to enrich them with<br />
cover versions of international hits of the past<br />
decades. 12 of the tracks have been immortalized<br />
by putting them on „Great Expectation“.<br />
The Jolly Boys refine “Iggy Pop” (The Passenger),<br />
Amy Whinehouse („Rehab“), Blondie („Hanging<br />
On The Telephone“) and The Clash (I Fought<br />
The Law) with modern mento-style. Also they<br />
cover The Doors, New Order or the Stranglers.<br />
Pleasant, unusual and certainly a doubly great<br />
experience live on stage.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
even on the new album Superskank prove their<br />
nose for some delicate earworms. The collective<br />
around singer / guitarist Marc Mega show<br />
ample sensitivity for rousing melodies, coupled<br />
with igniting German texts. The contemporary<br />
sounds are polished by a fine brass group. So<br />
the 14 track-album has got the groove for the<br />
dancefloors, which now and then is even refined<br />
by mandolin, saxhorn and german flute.<br />
Frank Keil
eSKAlation (Austria)<br />
review<br />
kauFrauSch (baumgeiSt recorDS)<br />
The Bullets (U.S.A.)<br />
review<br />
Babayaga (Germany)<br />
review<br />
Postbauer-Heng/Neumarkt, Bavaria. Here too,<br />
there are bands who have dedicated there<br />
music to a mix of ska, punk and reggae. In<br />
this case there are the eight young musicians<br />
from eSKAlation. Equipped with a touch<br />
of latin and a dash of hip-hop the mostly<br />
german lyrics commute between profundity<br />
and entertainment. Everything is garnished<br />
with an expressive singer, an assertive section<br />
of wind instruments and a driving rhythm<br />
section. The 8-Track-EP for sure is expandable,<br />
Sweet miSery ( jump up / grover rec. )<br />
The U.S. sextett around organist Roger Rivas,<br />
who is even still active with The Aggrolites,<br />
presents on “Sweet Misery” a convincing mix<br />
of Chicago soul and early reggae, clearly<br />
inspired by the early Pama-Productions. With<br />
“Chrystal Necklace”, “Canyon City Life” and<br />
“Her Nature” there is definitely more than one<br />
potential hit on the album. Who previously<br />
just knew and loved The Aggrolites, will enjoy<br />
the sound of the creative minds of The Bullets<br />
as well and will love to follow there way to<br />
Funkry Drop ( Skanky‘lil rec. / cargo )<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
Antwerp has become the adopted home of<br />
Mark Foggo, who presents the current cd of<br />
the band Babayaga on his label. With a new<br />
lineup on bass the septet by singer / keyboardist<br />
Hannes Werhan recorded 13 tracks with<br />
the help of producer Jürgen Block. From „I Am<br />
A Train“ to „Sommaw Aso“ the positive development<br />
of the band, compared with their<br />
previous albums, „Only Time Rhythm? „(2001)<br />
and „Hot“ (2006) is significantly. Although the<br />
Thuringian continue with a backbone of ska<br />
and reggae, there expansion with elements of<br />
25<br />
the band around Anna Steckein still convinces<br />
more on stage. Despite harsh social criticism<br />
they perform lots of fun live, not to mention a<br />
natural good deal of spontaneity and youthful<br />
eccentricity. But even regarding „Kaufrausch“<br />
the “DIY-philosophy” is on top of the priority<br />
list of tracks like “Arsch im Anzug” and “Bis<br />
zur Eskalation” Keep it up, because the recipe<br />
of escalation is rather expandable even after<br />
“Kaufrausch”.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
the old jamaica whith their soulful ska and<br />
rocksteady. Apart from the traditional organ<br />
sounds of Rivas, Singer Malik “The FreQ” Moore<br />
provides the hallmarks of The Bullets. As<br />
musicians and as producers, both musicians<br />
worked in harness, to give their original<br />
compositions the necessary and distinctive<br />
Latin-Drive.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
funk and pop But their musical excursions towards<br />
Funk and pop enriches their sound and<br />
makes you dance. Babayaga measure with<br />
„Funky Drop“ not only with anglo-american<br />
colleagues, but attempt to sing spanish („Dos<br />
Alemanes Muertos“) and also german („Der<br />
traurige Clown”). Since the band performs a<br />
lively show, they will win plenty of new fans<br />
for there third cd soon.<br />
Frank Keil
Desorden Público (Venezuela)<br />
review<br />
Patrice<br />
review<br />
eStrellaS Del caoS ( Fak recorDS )<br />
one (univerSal muSic )<br />
After five albums since 2000 Patrice presents<br />
a new collection of 13 Songs with his new album<br />
„ONE“. Stylistically he sticks to his unique<br />
mix of reggae, soul and pop. Always an individualist<br />
and rebel, the Afro-German (mother<br />
from germany, father from Sierra Leone) sets<br />
still great value on his sophisticated poetry<br />
for which he is known since his musical beginnings<br />
at the end of the 90‘s. „One“ benefits<br />
from the cooperation with guests (like the<br />
french artist / filmmaker JR, Matt Kent or the<br />
Supowers Band) which always service him..<br />
Frau Doktor<br />
review grenZen Der gemütlichkeit (rookie recorDS)<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
Desorden Público, are a skand band from<br />
Venezuela, founded in 1985 by singer /<br />
guitarist Horacio Blanco and bassist José Luis<br />
Chacín. Numerous gold and platinum awards<br />
evidence the tremendous success with their<br />
more than ten albums. The full blown „public<br />
disorder“ started in the mid 80s, influenced by<br />
the British Specials and spreads all over America.<br />
Hallmark of the band with nine members,<br />
who are one of the founders of the Latin Ska,<br />
which they mix with salsa and merengue, but<br />
also rockabilly and jazz, is there exuberant<br />
energy carried live shows. Of these, one<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
Simple - easy - good! There won`t be more to<br />
write about the album of Frau Doktor actually,<br />
if there wasn`t their farewell tour recently. Yes,<br />
it`s right, Frau Doktor is not anymore. They said<br />
„Goodbye and thank you!“ and turned there<br />
back on us. For the hours of grief and to make it<br />
easier to say goodbye, the ten men from Wiesbaden<br />
still pressed their best times on vinyl and<br />
added some consolations. A new version of „Alte<br />
Männer“ is recorded, because the Musicians<br />
have to admit that they themselves grow older<br />
and older. We surely all agree, that the four new<br />
songs (including the cover number Venus), and<br />
all the rest of their music doesn`t suffer from<br />
their growing experience. But everybody under-<br />
could be convinced in the last august and<br />
september, when Desorden Público make the<br />
audience dancing and sweating to songs like<br />
„No Valle La Pena” or „Política Criminal“ of their<br />
album “Estrellas Del Caos”. This should not<br />
obscure the fact, that the band attaches value<br />
to its extremely socially and politically critical<br />
lyrics, that despite their leading position in<br />
terms of Latin Ska, grapples critically with the<br />
government of their own country.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
Warm, stylish and carried by his charismatic<br />
voice, the album with tracks like „The Maker“,<br />
“10 Man Down“ and “Don`t Cry” should be his<br />
masterpiece so far. And not only with „Walking<br />
Alone“, the first single from the album, Patrice<br />
will climb the toplists in france and the rest of<br />
europe with ease<br />
Frank Keil<br />
stands the family obligations. A baby break is o.k.<br />
“Mehr Väter braucht das Land” is our suggested<br />
title for the new single for their comeback,<br />
as soon as the kids grew. One thing is clear, it<br />
can not be a permanent waiver. That must be<br />
meant by “Grenzen der Gemütlichkeit”. Yes, we<br />
want Frau Doktor back on stage. Precisely in<br />
the manner that is once more captured on the<br />
current disc: Simple - easy - and with a lot of fun.<br />
If these are not the ingredients for a good band,<br />
then I don`t know. When good german lyrics<br />
nowadays became rarer and rarer. One thing<br />
is for sure: We could easier forebear from the<br />
Sportfreunde Stiller.<br />
OW
Yellow Umbrella<br />
review a thouSanD FaceS (rain rec. / pork pie)<br />
Open Season<br />
review<br />
louDer (leech recorDS)<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
Inspired by the American philosopher Campbell<br />
and his book „The Hero With A Thousand Faces“<br />
Yellow Umbrella present their eighth cd since<br />
its establishment in 1994. The formation around<br />
mastermind Jens Strohschneider continues to<br />
focus on the successful mix of Ska, Rock <strong>Steady</strong>,<br />
Reggae and Dance Hall, with some stylistic excursions<br />
in the direction jazz, rock`n`roll or eastern<br />
european folk music. Successful producer<br />
Victor Rice (e.g. The Slackers & The Toasters) has<br />
prepared the song material congenial. Yellow<br />
Umbrella invited guest musicians like Dr. Ring<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
They are often described as the „Swiss Seed“, but<br />
this is far too simplistic. Open Season prove with<br />
their new publication „Louder!“, that they have<br />
much more to offer than to ride on the waves of<br />
jamaican music in the shadow of the Seed. No –<br />
quite the contrary - they play experienced along<br />
the complete reggae history and demonstrate<br />
more independence than ever before. There are<br />
dancehall experiments („Turn Up The Volume“,<br />
„Hello“), an excellent roots-number („Living on<br />
the edge“), catchy reggae-songs like „I Try“ and<br />
„Kiss Me Goodbye“, as well as ska beats and<br />
27<br />
Ding (“Time Time Time“) and Dr. Volkanikman<br />
(„Almanya“). In addition to the jaunty instrumental<br />
„Arranjuez“ the rock steady hit „Oh Girl“ or the<br />
also very danceable „Plombieres Polonais“ the<br />
septet manages to combine the joy of playing,<br />
songwriting skills and casual grooves even<br />
on the remaining 11 tracks. Yellow Umbrella<br />
have done their Jamaican music lessons well,<br />
transformed it contemporary and will also proof<br />
all that live.<br />
Frank Keil<br />
always pop influences. Finally, with „Iron Dub“<br />
they tried an equally bold but successful outing<br />
to the quietest atmospheres of the musical<br />
landscape of reggae music. For this succeeded<br />
dub-sound they were supported from Sanjay<br />
Tailor of the Asian Dub Foundation. It must not<br />
always be Dr. Ring Ding.! With „Hey Darling“ they<br />
did a big hit. Not for nothing they picket out<br />
this soung for their well done video-clip. Our<br />
recommendation!<br />
OW<br />
now on tour<br />
dates auf Seite 28
Best of Tourdates #1<br />
review tourDateS oF the main ac tS<br />
Roy Ellis a.k.a. Mr. Symarip<br />
Fr | 05. November 2010 McCormacks Ballroom Leipzig Deutschland<br />
Sa | 06. November 2010 Bauteil 5 @ Weberei Gütersloh Deutschland<br />
So | 07. November 2010 Trix Antwerpen Belgien<br />
Lord Mouse & The Kalypso Katz live:<br />
Fr | 05. November 2010 | 23 Uhr Lovelite Berlin Deutschland<br />
Sa | 11. Dezember 2010 | 9 Uhr Festival Poznan Polen<br />
Sa | 18. Dezember 2010 | 18 Uhr Festival Tournai Belgien<br />
Magic Touch, The<br />
Fr | 05. November 2010 McCormacks Ballroom Leipzig Deutschland<br />
Sa | 06. November 2010 Bauteil 5 @ Weberei Gütersloh Deutschland<br />
Sa | 08. Januar 2011 Dynamo Werk 2 Zürich Schweiz<br />
The Caroloregians<br />
Do | 11. November 2010 Tobis Irish Pub Emnden Deutschland<br />
Sa | 13. November 2010 Lovelite Berlin Deutschland<br />
Mo | 15. November 2010 Kassa Blanca Jena Deutschland<br />
Di | 16. November 2010 Ost-Pol Dresden Ostpol<br />
Mi | 17. November 2010 Cross Club Prag Tschechien<br />
Fr | 19. November 2010 Sound & Arts Bamberg Deutschland<br />
Sa | 20. November 2010 Haifischbar Augsburg Deutschland<br />
Fr | 26. November 2010 Landespavillon Suttgart Deutschland<br />
Sa | 27. November 2010 SubClub Bratislava Slowakei<br />
So | 28. November 2010 Club Gromka Ljubljana Slovenien<br />
Mo | 29. November 2010 Ostclub Wien Österreich<br />
Mi | 01. Dezember 2010 Le Baladin Piozzo Italien<br />
Sa | 04. Dezember 2010 Grabenhalle St. Gallen Schweiz<br />
Open Season<br />
Fr | 05. November 2010 Schüür Luzern<br />
Sa | 06. November 2010 Salzhaus Brugg<br />
Fr | 19. November 2010 Café Bar Mokka Thun<br />
Sa | 20. November 2010 Ziegelei Einsiedeln<br />
Fr | 03. Dezember 2010 Selig Chur<br />
Sa | 04. Dezember 2010 Kammgarn Schaffhausen<br />
Fr | 10. Dezember 2010 Sommercasino Basel<br />
Sa | 11. Dezember 2010 Usine-à-Gaz Nyon<br />
Do | 16. Dezember 2010 Abart Zürich<br />
Fr | 17. Dezember 2010 Bierhübeli Bern<br />
Sa | 18. Dezember 2010 Bolgenschanze Davos<br />
The Skatalites European Tour 2010<br />
nov/Dez<br />
2010<br />
Mi | 10. November 2010 Salle du Vigean Eysine Frankreich<br />
(with The Mighty Diamonds and Linval Thompson)<br />
Do | 11. November 2010 Kammgarn Schaffhausen Schweiz<br />
Fr | 12. November 2010 Metropop Festival Lausanne Schweiz<br />
Sa | 13. November 2010 Finos Reggae Festival Balaguer Spanien<br />
Mo | 15. November 2010 Arena Wien Österreich<br />
Di | 16. November 2010 West Balkan Budapest Ungarn<br />
Mi | 17. November 2010 Gala Hala Ljubljana Slovenia<br />
Do | 18. November 2010 Heaven Santander Spanien<br />
Fr | 19. November 2010 El Tren Granada Spanien<br />
Sa | 20. November 2010 Hard Club Porto Portugal<br />
So | 21. November 2010 NASA Santiago de Compostela Spanien<br />
Mi | 24. November 2010 Bloomsbury Ballroom London England<br />
Do | 25. November 2010 Fiddler`s Bristol England<br />
Fr | 26. November 2010 The Arches Glasgow Schottland<br />
Sa | 27. November 2010 HMV Picture House Ediburgh Schottland<br />
Mo | 29. November 2010 HMV Institute Birmingham England<br />
Di | 30. November 2010 The Village Dublin Ireland
The Moon Invaders<br />
So | 07. November 2010 Trix Antwerpen Belgien<br />
Doreen Shaffer on Tour with The Moon Invaders: the voice of the Skatalites<br />
Fr | 17. Dezember 2010 P60 Amstelveen Niederlande<br />
Do | 23. Dezember 2010 Schlachthof Bremen Deutschland<br />
Sa | 25. Dezember 2010 Pressenwerk Bad Salzungen Deutschland<br />
Di | 28. Dezember 2010 East Club Bischofswerda Deutschland<br />
Do | 30. Dezember 2010 Ernesto`s Sittard Niederlande<br />
Mi | 05. Januar 2011 Schlachthof Wels Österreich<br />
Clinton Fearon<br />
Fr | 5. November 2010 Clinton Fearon in solo acoustic<br />
Fr | 12. November 2010 Clinton Fearon in solo acoustic @ Ebullition, Bulle (CH)<br />
Sa | 13. November 2010 Clinton Fearon in solo acoustic<br />
Sa | 20. November 2010 Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown @ Nectar, Seattle, WA<br />
Sa | 4. Dezember 2010 Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown<br />
Sa | 11. Dezember 2010 Clinton Fearon @ Lima, Peru<br />
Fr | 17. Dezember 2010 Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown @ Red Bicycle, Vashon Island, WA<br />
Fr | 5. November 2010 Clinton Fearon in solo acoustic<br />
Fr | 12. November 2010 Clinton Fearon in solo acoustic @ Ebullition, Bulle (CH)<br />
Sa | 13. November 2010 Clinton Fearon in solo acoustic<br />
Sa | 20. November 2010 Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown @ Nectar, Seattle, WA<br />
Sa | 4. Dezember 2010 Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown<br />
Sa | 11. Dezember 2010 Clinton Fearon @ Lima, Peru<br />
Fr | 17. Dezember 2010 Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown @ Red Bicycle, Vashon Island, WA<br />
Next ...<br />
preview ... on rocking SteaDy eZine #2<br />
DuB CiTy ROCKERS<br />
on moon Ska worlD<br />
AT LONG LAST ... THE DuB CiTy ROCKERS<br />
Debute album out in january 2011<br />
jan/Feb<br />
2011<br />
„good things come to those who wait“ .... the british-jamaican Dub,<br />
rock, Ska, hip hop, reggae collective will release his debut album „Faith hope love peace respect co-exist“<br />
in january. praise to the skies preceded him from all corners. the album will be offered as a 15 track cD and<br />
in selected record stores to have. on rocking <strong>Steady</strong>! you‘ll be able to download one special song. See you<br />
soon with number 2.<br />
Interviews with Rico Rodriguez, Patrice,<br />
and with one former musician of the Gaylads<br />
***<br />
Interview with Jada Leblanc - 10 years<br />
***<br />
Reviews: Hotknives, the one droppers, askatasuna Ska band, ronny trettmann,<br />
dub city rockers, red soul community and many more...<br />
MORE NEWS AND ALL TOuR DATES ON:<br />
www.rockingsteady.com<br />
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