The English Beat, Bad Manners and Chris Murray live in Chicago

I’ve seen The English Beat and Chris Murray a few times before. So one of the main reasons why I drove a total of 1370 kilometers to Chicago was to go see the great British ska band Bad Manners. I believe the last time they came to Montreal was in the 80s.

I know they have always been pretty active in the UK but for me this was quite an event. What a line-up! The English Beat and Bad Manners are two of my favorite bands from my teenage years. The only way I can think of a better line-up is if I had been in the crowd in 1980 during the recording of the Dance Craze album.

To have Chris Murray, my favorite contemporary traditional ska artist as an opening act was more than I could hope for. Chris was as good as ever and although he was alone on stage, his presence rivals that of any 8-piece band. I could tell he was happy that my girlfriend and I were singing along to all of his songs.

Bad Manners didn’t disappoint either. When Buster came out in his fuzzy leopard suit, I knew instantly that we were in for a great set. All the classics were played and it justified the many miles we had traveled to get there. Between two songs, I overheard a guy next to me say: “He might be a bad singer but he’s one hell of an entertainer!” You could say that…

At this point, everybody was sweating profusely, on stage and off. The place was hotter than a furnace in hell! That didn’t stop The English Beat from giving a stellar performance. I was quite impressed with the new kid on the block, Antonee First Class. He toasted a few of his own compositions and it was well received. The boy has talent.

Aside from the intolerable heat, I was glad to have seen my teenage heroes in a city like Chicago. Next time around, I hope they stop in Montreal. And mister Dave Wakeling, what have you done with my pin? (see April 5 2010 post)

Want to see a few videos of the concert without having to suffer from the heat. Follow these links:

Bad Manners - Sally Brown

Bad Manners - Lip Up Fatty

The English Beat - Hands Off...She's Mine (extended version)

The quest for Northern Soul records in Chicago continues...

The next place on my list of record shops I was going to visit during my stay in Chicago was Beverly Records. It was recommended by Brad from People's Records in Detroit. Located outside the downtown area at 11612 South Western, you definitely need a car to get there. And without my trusty GPS, I would probably still be circling the area. To be quite frank, it's in the middle of nowhere.

Esthetically speaking, Beverly Records is certainly not the most attractive place and nothing really prepares you for what you are about to see inside. I have frequented many record shops in my life, and I consider myself a flea market connoisseur but this was a shock. I thought that People's Record in Detroit had an impressive selection but this place rivals it.

If you feel adventurous, love treasure hunting and have hours to spare, this place is definitely for you. It feels a bit chaotic at first but once you get used to your surroundings, there are gems to be unearthed. Don't go looking for a soul 45rpm section because you won't find any. But if you're looking for a group or singer in particular, you're in luck.  Every record is alphabetized.

My problem is that I want to discover artists I've never heard of before. So when I inquired one of the owners about his filing system, he directed me towards a few rows of unsorted boxes of 45s. When I asked how much the records were, he simply said: "If you buy more than 10, it's 3$ each." At first, I thought that 3$ was a bit excessive but if you choose wisely, you can end up with records that would otherwise sell for substantially more.

So I randomly pulled out a box, sat on the floor and started pulling out every unusual label I came across. Don't expect records in mint condition because you might leave with nothing. The final count was 40 or so records in fair condition. I feel like I just scratched the surface of that place. Time was running out. I had to drive back to my hotel room to get ready for the English Beat and Bad Manners concert.

Was it worth it? You tell me...

Soul and R&B:

Lonnie Mack - Chicken' Pickin' - Fraternity Records
Micheal - The C.O.D's - Kellmac Records
I Got Love - The Intrigues - Yew Records
I Bet You Get The One (Who Loves You) - Detroit Emeralds - Westbound Records
My Wife, My Dog, My Cat - The Maskman & The Agents - Dynamo Records
But It's Alright - J.J. Jackson - Calla Records
Appreciation - The Ad Libs - Share Records
Music - The Festivals - Smash Records
Barefootin' - Robert Parker - Nola Records
The Wash - Branda & The Tabulations - Dionn Records
Skinny Legs and All - Joe Tex - Dial Records
Soul Serenade - Federalmen - Steady Records - Promo Copy (actually a Rocksteady track)
Let a Woman Be a Woman - Dyke and The Blazers - Original Sound Records
There It Goes Again - Barbara and The Uniques - Arden Records
She Can Give You Fever - Ernie Tucker - Earth Records
Keep It To Yourself - Raeletts - Tangerine Corporation Corporation
Cracker Jack - Mickey and His Mice - Marti Records

Garage Rock:

Dawn Is Breaking - New Colony Six - Centaur Records
Bird Dance Beat - The Trashmen - Garrett Records
Fire Ball - Mercy - Sundi Records
Walk Away Renee - The Left Banke - Smash Records
I See The Light - The Five Americans - HBR
Go Back - Crabby Appleton - Elektra Records

Searching for Northern Soul in the Windy City

Chicago Soul has its well-deserved place in history. It has given birth to great soul acts and an array of labels that supported them. Chess, OKeh, Vee-Jay, Constellation are just a few of the labels that made their mark. So it was only natural that in a city known for such a vast and rich soul culture, that I was going to hunt down a few records to add to my collection.

I had a few addresses of record shops that I had summed up from the web but there’s nothing like the word of a local DJ to point you in the right direction.
 

That local spin master extraordinaire in question is DJ Sir Eric Colin. I had heard of him through the Facebook group MODchicago. According to the info on their page, a mixture of Soul, Garage Punk, Freakbeat, Euro Grooves and Psychedelia was on the menu at the Bar Deville. Sounds good to me!

The Bar Deville is the ideal place for this type of night. It’s a cozy neighborhood bar that has a very cool retro feel to it. Unfortunately, on that particular Thursday night, the place was virtually empty. Let me reassure you, it had nothing to do with the DJ's tunes. He was spot on. Sir Eric mastered the turntables and dropped the needle exclusively on 45s. That shows dedication in my book.

At one point, his musical selection took a sharp turn towards sixties French Pop. Brigitte Bardot's 1968 chart topper Harley Davidson echoed in the deserted place. My girlfriend and I started singing along to all the following French hits, one after the other. I am sure that the other few patrons in the place  wondered about where these weird strangers, knowing the words to these obscure French songs, came from.

At the end of the night, I went up to the DJ to thank him for the wonderful musical journey. A very friendly conversation ensued and the mystery of the two singing French Canadian was clarified. It was the perfect opportunity to ask him for the inside scoop on where to find a few must-have soul records. He was very helpful and suggested I should check out Hyde Park Records at 1377 E 53rd. He's been a long time customer. That was very generous of him because some people would rather keep the best places to themselves. But then again, I'm sure he had already raided the place.
 

The next day, off to Hyde Park Records I went. It's a great little shop with a few good rows of 45s to pick through. Of course, it would be unfair to compare it to the overwhelming choice you would find at People's Records in Detroit. That doesn't mean I left empty handed. I was also pleasantly surprised by the good condition of the records. Plus, the staff was very kind and hospitable. If I were living in Chicago, it would certainly be a place I would frequent often. According to Lary, new stuff is coming in on a regular basis.

 Here are some of the 45s that were added to the collection:

Karate-Boo-Ga-Loo - Jerryo - Shoot Records

The Bounce - The Olympics - Tri Disc Records

The Bump - Alvin Cash & The Crawlers - Mar-V-Lus Records

Booze In The Bottle - Carter Brothers - Jewel Records

What You Gave Up - The Continental 4 - Jay-Walking  Records

As for a good Mod friendly night in Chicago, you should seek out Chicago's own Face, Sir Eric Colin, at the weekly gig The Merge. I guarantee that it attracts a larger crowd then our quiet Thursday night escapade. For more info, check out the MODchicago gang on Facebook and the regular updates on The Merge Facebook page.

Crate Diggin' for Northern Soul in Detroit

It’s unconceivable to me that I would visit Detroit without going on the hunt for a few northern soul records. I imagine that with New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Memphis and New Orleans, Detroit has to be one of the best places to buy soul 45s.

In Montreal, you really have to be lucky and patient to find something out of the ordinary. Aside from the classics, it’s virtually impossible to find small, independent labels. Even if we live relatively close to those cities, Montreal being mainly French, your average record bin will usually hold French artists from the seventies or the eighties.

I’m not a record collector per se, so condition is not my highest priority. I’m not out to look for the rarest print of a record that will go for a few hundred dollars on eBay. I’m not in it to make money or brag. I want something that sounds good and that I can bring to a party and play without worrying that it gets ruined. Records are meant to be played! As long as they don’t skip and there not over 5$, I’m happy.

At first I thought I was going to look for Detroit labels exclusively and then I found People’s Records. Situated at 3161 Woodward Avenue, it’s probably the best record store I ever visited. It was worth the 1064 km I traveled just to go to that place. First of all, they only sell vinyl. That is always a good sign. Second, soul is one of their specialties. I’m in heaven!

So my focus changed from buying Detroit Labels to buying every weird label I could put my hands on. I’m not a huge music aficionado, so some of those tunes might sound familiar but most of them were all new to me. It’s such a thrill for me to discover something I never heard before. I was like a kid in a candy store. I had to contain my excitement.

When I walked in and saw all the boxes of 45s on the shelves, I had to stop and take a deep breath. Luckily I had Brad to guide me. This place is not only a record nirvana but the staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. They have to be some of the nicest people in Detroit. 

Brad not only steered my music selection in the right direction but also gave me addresses of record stores to check out in Chicago. That’s not all. He also suggested a great BBQ restaurant called Slows that is not to far from the shop. Wait, there’s more! He gave me a homemade CD full of rare soul and funk tracks. My mind was about to explode. Even the resident dog Irma is adorable!

I have three pieces of advice if you ever get to step in that store. One, bring a lot of cash. Two, have a lot of time on your hands.  Three, pick from the unsorted boxes. Unless you are looking for something very specific, you never know what you’ll end up pulling out. I just love these types of surprises!

While I was drooling over a few records, I overheard the owner explaining to a local customer that for people from Detroit, these records might not be anything special but that people from overseas really appreciate the selection they have on hand. Are you kidding me? This place is a gold mine! And I live just across the border! And here’s the biggest secret… Most of the records I bought were  only a dollar. I only have one regret. I should have bought more records!

This place is going to be hard to beat. Period.

Here are a few of my favorite picks:

Karate - The Emperor’s – Mala Records
Don’t Jump – Fontalla Bass & Bobby McClure – Checker
Breakin’ Down The Walls of Heartache – The Bandwagon – Epic Records
Loosen These Pants and Let Me Go – Albert Washington – Jewel Records
Red Pepper – Roosevelt Fountain – Prince-Adams Records
Treat Her Right – Roy Head and The Traits – Black Beat Records
Karate Boo-Ga-Loo – Jerryo – Boo-Ga-Loo Records
Fools Are Not Born (They Are Made) – Clarence Reid – Alston Records
Get Your Lie Straight – Bill Coday – Crajon Records
I Can’t Stand It – The Soul Sisters – Sue Records

The garage section hardly has anything but I did end up with a few cool tracks.

In the Midnight Hour – The Wanted – AM Records
Ben Franklin’s Almanac – The Cryan Shames – Destination Record
Turn On Your Love Light – The Human Beinz – Capitol Records
Bald Headed Woman – The Mugwumps – Sidewalk Records
Almost There – The Turtles – White Whale Records

If you are ever in Detroit, make sure you stop at People's Records and tell them Parka Avenue sent you.

The Mod Mecca - Motown, Hitsville USA

 Today felt like a pilgrimage. I was going to the Promised Land. Last summer I walked on the beaches of Brighton, last March I strolled down Bourbon Street in New Orleans and this time, I got to add another check to my mental list. For a Mod this is the equivalent of Graceland for a Rocker. Motown, I am home! 

For all of us northern soul fans, we can’t deny the impact that the founder Berry Gordy Jr. had on the musical landscape. He turned an initial 800$ loan from his family into a multi million dollar empire. And if you visit the Motown Museum, you get to see that contract. You get to step back in time and see where all the magic happened. The little house that Berry dubbed Hitsville USA holds a collection of photos, costumes and memorabilia.

I also got to experience what they call the echo chamber. One of the reasons why Berry loved the house is because of the echo a hole in the ceiling produced. This is the precursor to the reverb you hear on songs like Dancing in The Streets. Our tour guide pulled me out of the 20+ crowd to test it. She was quite surprised that I was so eager to sing. “People usually hide in corners when I point  them out. You got the attitude man! I like that!”

I thought I was going brake some glass when I sang my version of Heat Wave from Martha and The Vandellas. The visitors laughed when I changed one verse from “Whenever he calls my name. Sounds so soft sweet and plain” to “Whenever SHE calls my name. Sounds so soft sweet and plain”. I was surprised when people applauded after my questionable performance.

You also get to see the upstairs apartments with the original couch where Marvin Gaye slept on on countless occasions. The couch being 4 feet and Marvin being over 6 feet, you can imagine that those nights were probably very uncomfortable.

The highlight of the tour has to be the famous Studio A. You get to stand on the floor, next to the original instruments, where more than 200 number 1 hits were recorded throughout the years. Every Motown tune you could name was recorded in that very room. My girlfriend got to test the acoustics when she got to sing Diana Ross’ part from Stop in The Name of Love. There is no comparison with my earlier performance. She’s actually quite a talented singer. I just wish I could prove it all to you but we weren’t allowed to take photos anywhere.

Photo from a Motown Museum postcard

The 837 km trip from Montreal to Detroit was worth it just for that visit. Need I say more?

A Mod's Temple

One of the main reasons I wanted to stop in Cleveland on my way to Chicago was to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. More than just an oversized Hard Rock Café, it’s a genuine temple to Rock Gods. And as an added bonus, there was a small tribute to Motown. The building itself is worth the visit. An impressive glass pyramid stands as a temple to all things that make you shake, rattle and roll.

The place is so full of rock artifacts that it’s hard to list them all. And all of them are of certain significance. To give you an example, they have John Lennon’s round spectacles, the passport he used on his first US tour and one of the uniforms worn on the cover of Sergeant Pepper. We are talking big stuff here.

A lot of Mod favorites are also featured. Stuff from the Kinks, The Animals, The Yardbirds are displayed. An impressive collection of Who gear is there for your viewing pleasure. You don’t see one of the many smashed up road guitars Pete Townshend discarded but the actual guitar that was used to compose and record the classic hits we all love.

Soul music also has its well-deserved place in the Hall. Programs, concert posters, stage costumes and musical instruments from soul legends such as Smokey Robinson, Martha and The Vandellas, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Ike and Tina Turner, Sam & Dave and many others.

But what made me laugh the most has to be the Sex Pistols’ letter in response to their invitation to be inducted in the Hall of Fame. It’s a true testament to their punk attitude.

If you plan to visit Cleveland, you need to set aside a whole day just for the Hall of Fame. We finished the day in the beautiful Warehouse District. Wow! The place looks like a loft lover’s paradise! 

We ended up in a small street fair with craft booths, local culinary delights and live music. After filling up our bellies at the Nauti Mermaid, we were attracted by what sounded like Billy Idol. The band The Spasmatics had us entertained for a while with their retro versions of 80’s classics.

What a great way to end our stay in that captivating city. Rock on Cleveland!

A Mod on the road

It’s day one of our 10-day road trip. The final destination: Chicago. I always wanted to see Bad Manners live and since they haven’t been to Montreal in decades, I decided to go to them. They are playing in Chicago with The English Beat and Chris Murray. It’s a win-win situation.

And what do they say about the journey? It’s full of stops at vintage shops, crate digging for northern soul and tasting local beer? That’s what I thought… You can see road trips in two different ways. One, you can plan everything ahead, book hotels, follow an itinerary and reserve tickets for the popular tourist attractions. That’s the girlfriend way. Or you can throw caution to the wind and see where the road takes you. Go with the flow. That’s the Patrick way!

Last summer, we decided to adhere to the girlfriend mantra on our trip to England, Scotland and Ireland. The same rules were applied in March in New Orleans. The experience was memorable and probably less stressful and expensive then if we decided to follow my method. But this time, we decided we would try it my way.

Our first stop was Buffalo, NY, home of the famous buffalo chicken wings. Not much of a destination for the consummate Mod but as on any road trip, you never know what waits around the corner. 

 After leaving our gear at a cheap motel a few miles out of downtown, we were ready for the cocktail hour. We ended up on Chippewa Street, where all the trendy nightclubs are situated. We stumbled upon The Chocolate Bar. With an impressive list of designer martinis, we instantly knew where we were going to spend the next hour. A hip place with walls painted every shade of chocolate you can imagine. Quirky sayings like “Nobody knows… the truffles I have seen” and “Chocolate, cheaper than therapy” posted here and there.

 I was tempted by the Banana Cream Pie Martini, a sweet alcoholic concoction that might be more suitable as desert than an aperitif. It was a bit too heavy on the cream for my taste but yummy nonetheless.

 The missus went for the Raspberry Truffle Martini. She qualified it simply as sexy. But like everything that sensuous, it’s better not to abuse it.

 We were then ready to get down and dirty and go try the famous buffalo wings at The Anchor Bar, the place that gave birth to the now worldwide known recipe. I’m always skeptical with these types of places because they often turn into tourist traps. 

 Was I really going to taste the best wings in the world? As luck would have it, I did! I went for the traditional 10 wings single serving with the medium spicy sauce. It’s served with celery stick and a serving of blue cheese ranch sauce. Simply scrumptious! Add to that a side of coleslaw and a pint of local amber beer and you’re in heaven! The wings were fried to perfection and the sauce was hot enough to leave you with a tingly sensation around the lips. A dish I’m happy I made the detour for. 

 To make it all perfect, the Jazz Example where playing right in front of us. What a welcomed surprise! The smooth voice of the singer made it even more enjoyable. Her version of Killing Me Softly With His Song by Roberta Flank rivaled the original.

On the way out, I noticed something peculiar. Amongst the vintage motorcycles on display, there was a 2002 Malaguti scooter. On the sign in front of it, it reads Lambretta. Really? A Malaguti Lambretta? This is the first I hear of it. Well… maybe only in Buffalo.

The Cocktail Corner: Drinks for the sophisticated Mod

To all my fellow Mods and Modettes, Rude Boys and Rude Girls and all lovers of finer things in life, I introduce to you The Cocktail Corner.

If the history of Mods teaches us one thing is that we love to live La Dolce Vita. Everything we do, we do with style. It transcends in the way we dress, the music we listen to and our mode of transportation. Let’s face it, we have class! Our sophistication relates to the times when women were treated like ladies, men wore hats and a deal was made on a handshake.

This is why I chose to write about a social aspect that we sometimes take for granted: the drinking. When I have a drink, it’s a ritual I don’t take lightly. You can ask my friends, they’ll concur. I usually put a lot of thought in my choice of libation.

Our first lesson will be in the fine art of mixing the perfect Martini. I chose this classic cocktail because of the image it conjures in my mind. A dark club, dressed in my finest 3 button suit, handkerchief in my pocket, one inch tie well straightened, shinny tasseled loafers, neatly cut  hair, pork pie hat slightly tilted, one eyebrow raised, one elbow resting on the bar, my lips delicately sipping an ice-cold Martini while casually listening to the likes of Mose Allison.

I also think of my favorite invincible spy, James Bond. It’s no wonder a lot of Mods and Rude Boys are intrigued with ultra suave secret agents. They have charm, sophistication, this magnetic je ne sais quoi and… they know how to order a drink.

This extract from Ian Fleming’s Casino Royal will convince anybody.

'A dry martini,' he said. 'One. In a deep champagne goblet.'

'Oui, monsieur.'

'Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?'

'Certainly monsieur.' The barman seemed pleased with the idea.

'Gosh, that's certainly a drink,' said Leiter.

Bond laughed. 'When I'm...er...concentrating,' he explained, 'I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold, and very well-made. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink's my own invention. I'm going to patent it when I think of a good name.'

Well all you hepcats out there, doesn’t that put your taste buds in overdrive? Get your shaker out, drop the needle on your favorite soul tune and prepare yourself to mix the ultimate cocktail. Here’s a selection of my favorite Martini recipes.

 

 Everything you need for the perfect evening

"When pouring Martinis, make sure they are filled dangerously close to the brim."

Joe McQuirk, bartender

The classic Martini:

Pour 2 ounces of London dry gin, 1 ounce of French vermouth and a dash of orange bitters into an ice-filled shaker. Shake then pour in a well-chilled glass and garnish with lemon peel or olive. This is the way the Martini was done before the Prohibition.

Orange bitters is not easy to find so I usually replace it with your widely available Angostura bitters.

 

The modern dry Martini:

Pour 4 ounces of gin and ½ ounce of dry vermouth into an ice-filled shaker. Shake then strain into a glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or olive. A pearl onion makes the drink a Gibson.

 The James Bond Martini:

Bond named the drink The Vesper (do not mistake with the Vespa!) for a beautiful double agent he loved. The recipe is 3 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of vodka, ½ of blond Lillet and a large thin slice of lemon peel. Pour the liquid ingredients into an ice-filled shaker, shake and strain into a Martini glass. Add the lemon peel and keep your eyes open for enemy agents.

 The Cajun Martini:

Pour a fifth of you favorite gin or vodka into a large jug, jar or bottle. Add 2 or 3 fresh jalapeno peppers (sliced, seeded and deveined) and a single chili pepper (don’t over do it!). Let sit in refrigerator for 2 days. Shake with ice and vermouth in a 5 to 1 ratio. Serve straight up or on the rocks. For the wimps out there, if it’s too hot, dilute with more gin or vodka. I sometimes use the spicy vodka in a Bloody Caesar and my girlfriend loves it!

Now that you possess the knowledge, impress your friends but please, do not allow children to mix drinks. It’s unseemly and they usually use too much vermouth.

 If this is not meant for Mods, I don't know what is.

"If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt."

Dean Martin

An unforgettable night with a soul legend...

"I like cocky people. Cocky people always have something to live up too."

Allen Toussaint, Montreal, July 4th 2010

When do you get to see a true legend of soul in an intimate setting with only 424 other lucky, dedicated fans? Well, for me, it happens only once in a blue moon. Allen Toussaint is one such legend. He's "the" reference in New Orleans soul and R&B. Before my trip to the Big Easy a few months ago, I didn't know much about this prolific singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, record label owner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and all around musical genius. Many of you will know his songs without realizing he's the talent behind it. Working in the Coal Mine made famous by Lee Dorsey is the perfect example. Maybe you are familiar with a few of the obscure artists that he collaborated with or covered his songs: The Who, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, The Hollies, Paul Weller, Otis Redding and the list goes on...

 A few Allen Toussaint produced 45s on different labels 

brought back from my trip to the Crescent City

It's been a while since I've been to a concert and felt privileged and grateful to be there. Without overstating things, it was a once in a lifetime chance. Mister Toussaint, a stage and a piano in a small venue is all I needed to be in a blissful state.

 In a span of two hours, he made me go through a myriad of emotions. He was charming, funny, touching and endearing. One moment, I was laughing uncontrollably and the next I had tears in my eyes. And the hits succeeded one another, A Certain Girl, Mother-In-Law, Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky, and Yes We Can. I was lucky enough to have heard one of my all time favourites, Fortune Teller recorded by Benny Spellman. Another little known band called The Rolling Stones later covered it. "I liked the Rolling Stones. They made me roll all the way to the bank", he said, "I just wished they would have kept on rolling..."

This is just one of the little gems he came up with when he introduced a song. The high point of the evening had to be his 15 minute long rendition of Southern Nights. The piece itself is enough to bring you to tears but to have Allen Toussaint add anecdotes from his childhood all throughout the song is enough to bring you over the edge. His visits to his family in the country is said to be the inspiration for the song. "I loved visiting my aunts and uncles. They lived in an old grey house. Really old. So old, I think they built them that way." he would reminisce. "You heard sounds and saw animals you didn't see in the city: cows, horses, chickens... You know...The type of chicken that doesn't come in a bucket."

I liked Allen Toussaint before I ever saw him live. But now that I did, I can honestly say that I appreciate him even more. I left with a smile on my face, knowing that I was just in the presence of greatness. Come back soon Mr. Toussaint...

A good dose of dirty reggae with The Aggrolites

I’m not exactly sure what “dirty reggae” is but I can definitely say that it’s damn good! The Aggrolites have successfully fused a perfect mixture of ska, soul, rocksteady and roots reggae. The result is what they call “dirty reggae”. All I know is that it works.

Currently promoting their fourth album appropriately titled IV, we were fortunate to have them make a stop in Montreal during the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Even if they are performing almost every night, this doesn’t stop them from being very energetic and in great spirits on stage. They sure know how to get a crowd going! That’s all thanks to singer-guitarist Jesse Wagner. It was quite a different vibe then The Animals show a few days earlier.

When I see an act like The Aggrolites, it gives me hope that there’s a new generation of musicians ready to take the reigns and keep the scene alive. This bunch of young fellows not only have respect for the traditional sound but can also be contemporary and have their feet firmly planted in the 21st century. Plus, I would be foolish not to underline Roger Rivas’s emphatic and dynamic organ playing. He bangs on those ivories like he was trying to put out a fire. He’s an organ-playing maniac!

Want some proof? Check out a video I took of their performance.

The Aggrolites live in Montreal

They were not only a great act on stage but they are a class act offstage also. They took time to take pictures with us and chat a bit.

I also picked up a 45rpm from the vendors table. I didn’t know anything about The Impalers but for 3$, how could I go wrong? I was pleasantly surprised to hear a very infectious traditional sounding ska / rocksteady. My favorite track was the B-side with a tribute to the king of pop himself entitled Return to Jackson. You should check out their MySpace page at:

http://www.myspace.com/theimpalerssf