DJs Reverend Evan and Citizen D had the privilege to interview Heather Augustyn, the author of upcoming book Ska: An Oral History that aired last on last Sunday’s episode of Rude Radio on Radio K (University of Minnesota College Radio).  For those of you that missed it, don’t panic!  We’ve got the whole interview streaming here as well as link to download it!

The book features first-hand accounts from ska legends and luminaries from Jamaica, England and the United States (Derrick Morgan, Prince Buster, Doreen Shafer, Judge Dread, Laurel Aitken, Roland Alphonso, and many, many MORE).  Augustyn started work on this book back in 1996 and highlights some of the many stories found within.

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You can download the entire interview HERE

You can find out more about this incredible book HERE

Welcome to another edition of Miss Upsetter’s Retro Vinyl Review!  Miss Upsetter is originally from Arizona where she was very involved with the ska scene and used to run the now-defunct ska site Get Up Edina! Being the vinyl junkie that she is, she posted many quick-hit reviews of some classic ska and reggae albums on that site.  We have unearthed these reviews and will share as many as we can for a somewhat daily review segment.

Today’s review is of the album Fly Flying Ska by Prince Buster:

I’m not a huge huge fan of this album, I think if I had to pin a phrase on this album, it’d be “clap ska”.  You know what I’m talking about?  Where the rhythm features some clapping?  Yeah, you know what I’m talking about.  I don’t think a lot of the tracks on this album are classic or necessary for any collection, however, it is considered “classic”, so I guess it depends on how you feel about having an “extensive” collection.  Personally, I think the Prince Buster tunes are really lacking, as well as a lot of the other tracks.  However, I will say, a few tracks on this album are great examples of early ska, such as Millie & Roy’s “I Go”, Gaynor & Errol’s “My Queen, and Don Drummond’s “The Burial”.  This album is really half good, half bad in my book.  The cover art is great, I must say though!