Yet another discover of years gone by. Dr. Ring-Ding always held a special place in our hearts, for reasons we have been unable to really define. It could be the higher tempo. It could be the driving beats and larger horns ensemble than a lot of other groups. Whatever made us like the Doctor, his Dandimite is certainly a mountain of win.
You think you know ska. Sure, I would be willing to admit that you have probably heard some processed heap of poser ska on the radio. The problem, though, is that you have no idea what real ska is. If the groups you associate as being “ska” originated in the late 1990′s, then you fail.
The Skatalites originated in Jamaica in the mid 1960′s (around the same time as first wave ska). They were one of the original groups of the genre, and helped define what ska was, and is. During that period, they played many pieces that became well known (most notable in my mind is “The Guns of Navarone”). “Feeling fine” can be found on a couple of their albums, but it’s easiest to find on “Guns of Navarone – The best of the Skatalites”.
Immediately noticeable in first wave ska music is the slower tempo, and off beat rhythms by the accompaniment. Mains are done by the horns, which can range from just brass, to saxophone, to even the tuba in some inventive groups. Mellow is the word. This isn’t fast paced, face melting, aural crank. Instead, it’s designed to be upbeat (in most cases) and just plain fun to listen to. Also, dancing to first wave (and Two-Tone) ska is wicked fun. Find a place that specializes in ska bands, and head out some night when a older group is playing. You’ll love it.
One thing about Ska that you may notice (if you pay attention to your music) is that it’s not perfect. There are wrong notes. There are cracked notes, out of tune playing, poor rhythm. It’s ok. I know. Sometimes you have to get the classical out of you to enjoy something. Besides, perfectionism is just out of place here, and contrary to the whole point of Ska.
Incidentally, most of what you hear nowadays is third wave ska, and is just a mash of punk with off beat rhythms and (if you’re lucky) horns. The only thing that keeps it somewhat definable as ska is the up beat guitar mashing.
Enjoy “Feeling Fine” today.
I also highly recommend “The Guns of Navarone” and “Latin goes Ska”. Sweet harmonitude.
You guys remember that game tetris? You know, with the falling blocks that you have to put into rows? Well, remember that music? Yeah…it was sweet.
First off, that tune is actually called Korobeiniki, and it’s a Russian folk tune of all things. Second, there are several groups that do “8-bit” remakes and I want to introduce you to two today.
First up we have “The Blue Collars”. I don’t know much about this group, as I can find nothing about them anywhere. I actually had to actively seek out their music to buy it. Their label has apparently disappeared too…sucky…
This version of Korobend…karindite…tetris was put out on the album “It’s Casual” in 1998 by Yawn Records©. It’s a ska themed version of the tune, with horns on lead and the guitars on back up (bass, as usual, runs with it’s own stuff). I love it. I spent many years listening to ska as I grew up, and I hope to introduce you to what ska really is. This is a good start. Into/main – repeat-solos-main/outro. We’ll get more into ska in a future post. The solos are solid, and played a well planned amount of time. I would seriously consider picking this up, since it makes you want to get up and dance.
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The second version we will touch today is is by Michael “Piano Squall” Gluck (website). He specializes in video game and anime music, and released Koro…tetris on his album “GAME”. Now, the album itself is a wiggling bucket of awesome, but the cherry on top is that a significant portion of any proceeds “goes to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s “Promise: 2010” campaign.
This version is a much more relaxed version played on the piano. Mr. Gluck is accomplished pianist, and his compositions do him credit. Also, on a side note, his music is available for dowload in PDF format. This is pretty freaking nice of him. So, consider buying it, if only for the memories of sweet, sweet falling pentamino action. Or even better, buy it because you will be supporting a worthy cause.
Official Website