Thread: Tell me about - Summertime music

Ska Reggae and Rocksteady are lovely musicstyles perfect for summertime
Latin music like Salsa, Merengue and Bossanova music is also very summer-ish and sunny.

Ska/RockSteady/Reggae:
Beef
Gentleman
Patrice
Ras Shiloh
Panonnia Allstars Ska Orchestra
Manu Chao
Steelpulse
Black Uhuru

Those are some really great bands.

Well actually i think most music works well in summer. Like the sun enhances the music or something. Only if the band is really dark or gloomy does that not apply. But, let's see.....

Frank Zappa
Focus
Rush
David Arkenstone
Uzva
Jaga Jazzist
Miles Davis
Joanna Newsom
Cynic

That's a pretty diverse list, you should find something there that suits you, though some of it might not appeal to you. Plus, as i said, most music seems to fit summer for me.

I'm with Ska! I simply adore reggae and some dancehall, especially in the summer.

Inner Circle, UB40, and Third World are very popular reggae bands that are probably more accessible to those who haven't listened to a lot of reggae and need easing into it. I won't go into the intricacies of reggae rhythms and vocalization, but they're obviously different that bang-bang rock n roll and bass-booming hip hop. Some of the older stuff actually sounds kind of doo-wop-y. The accent and slang used can be hard to understand with some artists. But, it's something you get used to and start to really groove it if you fall in love with reggae the way I have

I listen the older artists a lot, such as Toots Hibbert (Toots and the Maytals), Bob Marley and the Wailers, Peter Tosh, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Jimmy Cliff and Alpha Blondie. I also listen to newer artists such as Ziggy and Stephen Marley, Apache Indian, Shaggy, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Sister Carol, and Matisyahu.

Toots developed sort of bluesy-sounding vocals over the years and came out with a really nice CD, True Love, where he collaborates with many popular musicians and musical greats-- Bonnie Raite, Keith Richards, Bunny Wailer, Jeff Beck, Marcia Grittiths (the Wailers), U-Roy, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, Trey Anastasio, Bootsy Collins, Shaggy, and others. I highly recommend it because it touches on blues, rock, hip hop, and funk through a reggae perspective.

Bob Marley and the Wailers had one of the best albums, ever, Exodus. Another good CD is Africa Unite. You'll get "One Love/People Get Ready", "Waiting in Vain," "Jamming", "Three Little Birds", "No Woman, No Cry," "Sun is Shining", "Trenchtown Rock", and "Get Up, Stand Up" on this CD.

Peter Tosh was with Bob's band for a while. He's a bit preachy, but that's not unusual for religious (Rasta) reggae artists. Peter's "Downpressor Man" is one of the great all time reggae songs. You'll find it on his The Essential Collection CD.

Lee Perry is just strange lol! You'll have to listen to him to know what I mean. But, I love his "Roast Fish and Cornbread." He was very innovative when the reggae sound was first forming into a recognizable style and is a creative producer and user of samples and special effects. He's known also for his dub, which is sort of an instrumental version of reggae with special effects and bits of lyric. I'm not that wild about dub, but you might like it.

Sister Carol is a reggae/dancehall artist who sings and raps. Her themes are uplifting and positive. She is a righteous Rasta woman and a good musician. http://www.sistercarol.com/ Try "Dread Natty Congo", "Red Eye", "Solomon & Sheba", "Ital Jacuzzi", "Call Mi Sister Carol", "Ezekiel 37" (my favorite), and "Strong and Fit."

Black Uhuru that Ska mentioned is a great band (Grammy winner, too). Black Uhuru's songs "Spongy Reggae", "Shine Eye Gal," and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" are all very good.

Shaggy has some fun pop/dancehall/reggae tunes that'll get your dancin' feet moving. Be prepared, though...he's a bit naughty (and funny) lol!

Matisyahu is a young orthodox Jewish beat box artist who's ventured successfully into reggae/rock. His music is a bit odd at first because of the beat box and blending of styles, but religious in a good way and inspiring. I love his CD Youth. You'll get "Jerusalem", "Time of Your Song", "Youth" and other good tracks. The bass booms on some of them and it's a good, good sound! Somewhere between hip hop, reggae, and rock.

One last CD that you might really enjoy is the Putumayo World Reggae album with various artists. Reggae really is an international music these days. You'll find people producing reggae and reggae-inspired music in Melanesia, Algeria, Morocco, the UK (of course), France, and Africa. This CD has some great artists/bands, like Alpha Blondie from the Ivory Coast, Apache Indian from the UK, Gnawa Diffusion from Algeria, Kana from France, and Kaissa from Cameroon. http://www.putumayo.com/en/catalog_i...p?album_id=121

Enjoy!

Surfaris - Wipe Out