Dizzybeat.com

If you're looking for some quality ska for next to nothing, the Summer Do the Dog sale is worth a look (if you're in the UK, that is).

The Do The Dog Summer CD Sale will run until the end of August & in the sale you will be able to take advantage of the following 2 special offers:

1. Buy 4 CD’s for just £10

2. Buy 10 CD’s for just £20

The following Do The Dog Music CD’s are available in the sale:

APB – Karoshi
The Bakesys – self titled
Robb Blake – No Time To Waste
Dirty Revolution – Its Gonna Get Dirty
Drewvis – For The Win
Duff Muffin – Eagle Eyes
Ettin – Rise Yourself
Four 0 – Across The Borderline
Dave Hillyard & The Rocksteady 7 – United Front
Honeyshop Screamers – Going Out Dancing
Jimmy The Squirrel – self titled
New Town Kings – Sound Of The New Town
Pama International – Float Like A Butterfly
Rebelation – Pounds & Pence
Rebelation – State Of The Union
Rebelation – Steppas
Sadies Doll – self titled
The Scrub – Life’s Torn Out The Tuna & Left me For A Bread Roll
Skylar – self titled
Smoke Like A Fish – Here’s One We Made Earlier
Smoke Like A Fish – self titled
Splitters – Good Time Trouble
Squid 58 – Dismantled
The Supatones – Unity Avenue
3 Minute Warning – Tramps Jackpot
Too Many Crooks – Bounce
Too Many Crooks – Inside
Too Many Crooks – Spanish Fly

Please Note:

Only the 28 CD’s listed above are available in the sale. No other Do The Dog Music CD’s or distro CD’s can be bought in this sale.

These 28 titles are only available in the sale while stocks last.

Postage & packing is included in the sale prices.

The sale is only available to UK residents.

The closing date for the sale is 31st August 2008.

How To Pay:

1. By cheque or postal order.

I haven't heard much of this band, but I know ska-punk fans talk about them. If you're an Australian fan, I'm sure this is great news.

30/10/2008 Annandale Hotel (Sydney)
tix from The Anandale Box Office
31/10/2008 Bar 388 - Valley Hotel (Brisbane)
Tix from Moshtix.com.au
1/11/2008 Bizarre Music Festival (Melbourne)
2/11/2008 Corner Hotel (Richmond)
tix from Corner Box Office
3/11/2008 DV8 Cup eve (Melbourne)
4/11/2008 TOTE (under 18 - Collingwood)
tix from TOTE, Missing Link, Corner Box Office

all shows with The Resignators & Dan Potthast (MU330 / USA)

I have great news for Chris Murray fans in the UK, with a tour set for October. He'll be joined by Sonic Boom Six, JB Conspiracy and Chief. I wasn't expecting to see Murray while I was in the UK, so I'm personally chuffed.

09/30/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Aberdeen Drummonds 8:00pm


10/01/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Nottingham Junktion 7 8:00pm


10/02/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief London Barfly 8:00pm


10/05/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Kingston Peel 8:00pm


10/07/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Bristol Croft 8:00pm


10/09/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Southampton Talking Heads 8:00pm


10/10/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Shrewsbury Buttermarket 8:00pm


10/11/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Swansea New York 8:00pm


10/12/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Liverpool Carling Academy 8:00pm

http://www.myspace.com/ruffandreadytour

Pop-A-Top Records
http://www.popatoprecords.co.uk

For fans of: organ driven reggae

I was quite harsh in reviewing the previous record from the Pop-A-Top Records stable, disappointed that the vocals were just a bit weak. I was glad that Erin persevered with sending me his releases as the latest offering, Volume 3: The Instrumentals, is exceptional.

Having been in the UK over six months now, I feel I’m a little more able to comment on what is coming out of this country. While few bands in the UK have a sound like The Erin Bardwell Collective’s, there are plenty of people here who love early reggae. Erin clearly does, and over the course of his recording with this particular group he has definitely refined the sound. The key with this record is that the strength, the organ, is central for all to hear and feel.

I’m keen not to paint this album as one-dimensional, however. I wouldn’t recommend this CD to someone only just beginning with reggae music, but it is more than just the same old organ driven reggae sound over and over again. Preston Steel’s saxophone provides an eerie dimension in songs such as Blunsdon Hill and Skelly. Percussion is used to great effect in Fry Up (Good Old Fry Up) and the mix of organ, piano and farfisa creates a necessary variety across all tracks. All of this and with one of the most solid rhythm sections behind it that you’re ever likely to hear.

Favourite tracks: Fry Up, Night Time Dreaming

Overall: The pick of the Pop-A-Top releases for me. This band needs to look further afield than Swindon.

For more info on releases and purchasing options, go to the Pop-A-Top Records website.

http://www.popatoprecords.co.uk

Sadly, 'Dizzy' Johnny Moore, founder of The Skatalites, passed away at his home in Kingston yesterday (Saturday August 16th). Moore attended the famous Alpha Boys school where he learnt the trumpet. He went on to play an immensely important role in Jamaican music.

Read more on the Jamaican Observer site.

I read about this on the very resourceful modculture.com website. A photographic feature on 80s Jamaican dancehall culture by Beth Lesser. Very cool.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2008/aug/08/beth.lesser.d...

Ever get that feeling you just aren't keeping up with technology? Well that is what it felt like when I tried to upgrade dizzybeat. I have a basic knowledge of web development simply from running dizzybeat, but clearly not anywhere near those folk who are building sites for a crust or those whose main hobby is using a computer. The positive thing that came out of stuffing up dizzybeat was that it reminded me I am a fan of ska and reggae, and spend most of my spare time pursuing that interest, rather than a nerd who has an obsession for technology.

Anyway, bear with me while I build up the site again. Also, let me know what you think of the new site's format and what you think it needs.

Cheers