The Specials - The Specials 1979

2-tone ska is one of those things that's great in theory, but in practice is actually pretty bad. But with that being said, The Specials are about the only band that got it right (for the most part).

This is really the quntessential 2-tone album. You've got the reggae, the first-wave feel, but also a dash of punk, but on a lesser note, a dash of annoying Brittish vocals. Either way, though, this is a solid album most of the way through. Little Bitch is probably the best ska song ever written post first wave, Dawning of a New Era is one of the happiest songs ever written, Do the Dog and Concrete Jungle are just great tracks. The rest of the album I can live without as far as original songs go, but the highlights of the album are the covers, no question. A Message to You, Rudy is one of the best A) openers to an album, and B) best reggae covers, ever. But then you get to Monkey Man. You will shit bricks; it's that fucking good. The original is perfect, don't get me wrong, but the sped up feel the Specials give it breathe new life into it that you never knew it needed. Absolutely brilliant. There arent enough good things to say about the great songs, so without further brown-nosing, i present 2-tone, the way it should sound. U-N-I-T-Y.



http://www.mediafire.com/?xym2z5yczcm

The Aggrolites - Dirty Reggae 2003

This album is the pinnacle of modern reggae. And that's probably because it sounds EXACTLY like it came from '69.

The Aggrolites started in the late 90's, early 2000's as a backing band for Derrick Morgan. As if that's not enough reason to listen to them, they've also been used as the backing band for Prince Buster and performed on Yo Gabba Gabba, the scariest, but coolest kids show of all time. They also play with Tim Armstrong sometimes, but no one gives a shit because he can suck my left nut.

But the music on this album is perfect. They use a great mix between songs with vocals and soulful interludes. The sound is straight up Kingston, and they're from LA. Crazy. But regardless of where they're from, this, their debut album, is a great place to start with this band, but is by no means a place to stop (I will help with that as time goes on.) It shows a love for good reggae, soul, and skinhead culture before it got fucked. It represents reggae in its purest form and shows that there is A LOT more to reggae than smoking weed and being a hippie. So be happy! Turn this album up as loud as it will go and FEEEEEEEEL it. Also, if you're not feeling it by the end of the album, the title track alone will change your mind. Incredible.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=620IJUIX