A couple months ago, I received a pack of CD’s in the mail from the famed Jump-Up Records “CD of the Month” series.  One of the great albums was this instrumental compilation put together by Mr. T-Bone from Italy called Instrumental Sessions – Vol. 1.  The concept behind the album was taking some great reggae, rocksteady, and ska tunes, changing up the melodies, and having numerous guest instrumentalists on each track.  As you can tell by the video, the album is phenomenal from stem to stern.  The music comes from bands like The Slackers (NYC, USA), The Bullets (Los Angeles, USA), The Caroloregians (Charleroi, BE), The Moon Invaders (Charleroi, BE), The Ratazanas (Oeiras, P), The Soul Captive (San Francisco, USA), The Forthrights (NYC, USA) and The Heatmakers ( Marseille, FR).

Guest musicians include Larry McDonald from the Rocksteady 7 & Dub Is A Weapon on percussions,  David Hillyard from The Slackers & the Rocksteady 7 on tenor and baritone sax,  Kincaid Smith from Hepcat on trumpet, King Django, Roger Rivas from the Aggrolites and the Bullets on organ, Buford O’Sullivan from the Easy Star Allstars on trombone, Tommy Tornado from Rude Rich on tenor sax, Rich Graiko from Westbound Train & Void Union on trumpet, Paolo Parpaglione from Mr.T-bone Allstars & Bluebeaters on alto and tenor sax, and Cecio Grano from the Young Lions on tenor sax and flute.

If that wasn’t enough, the whole album was mixed by the legendary Victor Rice!  It is a fantastic instrumental album and I hope there are more follow-up volumes to come.

You can check out the video on YouTube HERE

Our friend Andrew Barker over at Musical Occupation took a trip to Chicago to see The Moon Invaders and the Caroloregians in Chicago.  In his review of the show, he mentions the show’s opener, MNSKA’s very own The Prizefighters.

Barker says:

The first band to play was the Prizefighters from Minnesota. We walked in about halfway through the set. What I recollect is it being a two-tone influenced mashed with early skinhead reggae. They are still raw but one of my friend’s said “they have soul.” I’d have to agree with her and look forward to hearing more from these cats as they progress.

Way to represent MN sound, Prizefighters!

You can read the rest of Andrew’s show review HERE