The Ethiopians was one of Jamaica's best-loved harmony groups during the late ska, rocksteady and early reggae periods. Responsible for a significant number of hits between the mid-1960's and early 1970's, the group was also one of the first Jamaican acts to perform widely in Britain. … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: The History of Blacks and SKA music
History
Thursday Open Thread: The History of Blacks and SKA music
Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 – 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group the Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the earliest international reggae hits with "Israelites" (1968). Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967), "It Miek" (1969) and "You Can Get It … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: The History of Blacks and SKA music
Wednesday Open Thread: The History of Blacks and SKA music
Toots and the Maytals, originally called The Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group and one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music. Frontman Toots Hibbert's soulful vocal style has been compared to Otis Redding, and led him to be named one of the 100 Greatest Singers … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: The History of Blacks and SKA music
Monday Open Thread: The History of Blacks and SKA music
This week's open threads will highlight how ska at one time was a black music genre derived from reggae and mento. Mento is a style of Jamaican folk music that predates and has greatly influenced ska and reggae music. Mento typically features acoustic instruments, such as acoustic guitar, banjo, hand drums, and the rhumba box — a large mbira in the shape of a box that … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: The History of Blacks and SKA music
Saturday Open Thread: Miss Anne(s) in Harlem
Good Morning POU! The last Miss Anne of the week is yet another biddy that Zora Neal Hurston scoped out and realized "ok, let me help this white woman find purpose by letting her support my life." *wipes tear*, this just makes me happy. Fannie Hurst (October 19, 1885 – February 23, 1968) was an American novelist and short-story writer whose works were highly popular … [Read more...] about Saturday Open Thread: Miss Anne(s) in Harlem