The Perfect Reggae Playlist

Here’s the basic formula… heavy on the Rocksteady and SKA with just a touch of Dub and Roots. Throw it on and drain a cold one in the sun.

The Ethiopians – Everything Crash

Desmond Dekker & The Aces – Ah It Mek

Stranger Cole – Banarang

Melodians – Rivers of Babylon

Max Romeo – Wet Dream

Jimmy Cliff – Wonderful World, Beautiful People

Yellowman - Natty Sat Upon the Rock

The Ethiopians – Engine 54

The Skatalites – Simmer Down

The Maytals - 54-46 (That's My Number)

Luna: My Former Favorite Band

Underrated and under-appreciated, Luna were indeed "my favorite" band through the late 90's—from Bewitched to Penthouse to Pup Tent, which most point to as their finest hour. That's with good reason, since those first two are flawless masterpieces in my view.

The rest of the catalog is also astonishingly good, with Romantica being the weakest offering of their seven full-length albums. I'm glad they finished on a high note with Rendezvous before calling it quits a few years ago. I’ve posted eight of my favorites, which was a tricky exercise, because there’s so much good material to choose from.

Tiger Lily

Slide

Ihop

23 Minutes in Brussels

Dear Diary

I Know You Tried

Ride Into The Sun

Still At Home

Wire – Object 47

Always reinventing itself, Wire is truly in it for the art. They’ve proved to be one of the most innovative and influential bands in modern rock. And now that their new full-length, Object 47 (the 47th object in their catalogue) is out, I’m falling in love with the band all over again. Hints of early material abound, but it all sounds remarkably fresh and forward-looking.

One Of Us

Mekon Headman

80’s Hardcore Flashback

Ahhh.. I remember it like it was the day before yesterday... somewhereabouts 1984. Definitely caught wind of the Connecticut hardcore scene even though I grew up across the border in NY State. Cassettes, moshing, and feeling like I was a part of something. Funny that I actually became friends with some of the guys in the CT bands many years later like 76% Uncertain. Here are some of the songs that fueled my youth. Is it weird that I still dig them?

Clitboys – No Such Thing

Vatican Commandos – Do What You Want To

Black Flag – I Love You

76% Uncertain – Coffee Achievers

GBH – Big Women

X – Soul Kitchen

The Vandals – The Legend of Pat Brown

Dead Kennedys – Too Drunk to Fuck

Suicidal Tendencies – I Saw Your Mommy

Anti-Nowhere League – I Hate People