Dancing Post-Pinochet to Los Prisioneros’ ‘Corazones’
Los Prisioneros evolved from a politicized youthful New Wave sound to a synthpop-infused dynamic that would propel the trio to post-Pinochet stardom.
ska
Slow Burn: Bob Marley’s ‘Catch a Fire’ 50 Years Later
Bob Marley’s Catch a Fire is when the Wailers transformed into the vehicle of his ascent to superstardom and reggae’s assimilation into the global pop music melting pot.
The Loud Warning of Ska Concert Film ‘Dance Craze’ Must Still Be Heard
Dance Craze, the legendary concert film about the ska revival in Britain, brilliantly captures the performers’ sweaty, frantic, animated energy and the warning in their music’s message.
The Day the Specials Kicked Their Doc Martens Against the Door
The ska revival kicked to life by the Specials blended previous subcultural styles in their own Cuisinart: Kingston, Jamaica, Mod, Skinhead and Jamaican rude-boy.
Lee “Scratch” Perry: King Scratch – Musical Masterpieces From the Upsetter Ark-ive
One year after his passing, King Scratch fetes the reggae/dub shaman Lee “Scratch” Perry with a multiple-disc, multiple-format, career-spanning collection.
Less Than Jake’s Ska-Punk Classic ‘Losing Streak’ Still Has a Kick 25 Years Later
Losing Streak is the best recording of Less Than Jake’s full-on ska-punk days. It has the feel of a time capsule from that brief mid-’90s period.
Staring at the Rude Boys: The British Ska Revival 1979-1989
Cherry Red’s latest superb compilation highlights big hits and lost tracks from the British ska revival.
PM Picks Playlist 3: WEIRDO, Psychobuildings, Lili Pistorius
PopMatters Picks Playlist features the electropop of WEIRDO, Brooklyn chillwavers Psychobuildings, the clever alt-pop of Lili Pistorius, visceral post-punk from Sapphire Blues, Team Solo's ska-pop confection, and dubby beats from Ink Project.
The Deep and Distant Roots of the Ska-Punk Hybrid
Many only recognize ska-punk as a fad of 1990s US pop music, but its emanation and roots run much deeper and spread far wider than one may think.
Toronto’s Bedouin Soundclash Cook Up a Ska-Pop Delight with “Salt Water” (premiere)
Ska pop-rockers Bedouin Soundclash return with their first new music since 2010's Light the Horizon. Hear the brand new track "Salt Water" ahead of a new album releasing later this year.
Dirty Heads Update Their Sound, But Not Enough, with the Charming ‘Super Moon’
With Nashville producer Dave Cobb in tow, California quintet Dirty Heads beef up their chill party vibe with some unique sounds on Super Moon.
Bourgeois Mystics Invite You to the Craziest Party of Your Life on “Jaan Pehechan Ho” (premiere)
Prepare to pop your conscious in a psychedelic tumble dryer and kiss goodbye to any shred of sanity you may have been saving for the weekend.