2012: The Year in Ska - Joachim Uerschels (Reggae Steady Ska)

Editor's Note: As the end of the calendar year sneaks up on me--as it always does, since the fall is always so damn busy!--I always scramble around to put together my "best of" lists of the ska singles, albums, reissues, books, etc. that I really enjoyed over the past year and want to highlight for all the ska fans out there. But I also thought it might be interesting to feature some other opinions, so I approached a diverse group of ska musicians, bloggers, DJs, and label heads to find out what their favorite ska things were in 2012. And thus the "2012: The Year in Ska" series was born! Thanks to everyone who is taking the time to participate--I really appreciate it!

Longtime fans of ska may know Joachim Uerschels as the guitarist and singer for the German ska band The Braces (which was active in the last half of the 80s and first half of the 2000s). Recently, he is one of the people behind the superb ska website Reggae Steady Ska and he is working on an acoustic ska album project called Joe Scholes.

2012: The Year in Ska - Joachim Uerschels/Reggae Steady Ska/Joe Scholes

Top 5 Favorite Ska Releases

1) Jimmy Cliff, Rebirth

2) Dr. Ring Ding Ska-Vaganza, Piping Hot

3) Tommy Tornado, Cool Down

4) Babylove and The Van Dangos, Let It Come, Let It Go

5) Buster Shuffle, Do Nothing


Favorite Live Ska Shows

Buster Shuffle, Sonic Ballroom, Cologne

Madness, Stahlwerk, Düsseldorf


Favorite Ska Merch

I'm afraid there was nothing much new. 

Top 5 Ska Regrets

1) London International Ska Festival 

2) Every live show at the Reduit in Mainz, such a great venue

3) This Is Ska Festival in Rosslau (Lee Perry playing an old reggae set)

4) Dynamite Ska Festival, Leipzig w/Rude Rich and The High Notes

5) The Skatalites in Cologne

Top Ska Wishes for 2013

1) To see new 2 Tone-style pop bands.

2) To see Ernest Ranglin live.

3) To record a new acoustic ska album with Joe Scholes.

4) To hear more fresh ska from all around the world.