Ska at Riot Fest 2010: Roy Ellis (AKA Mr. Symarip), The Toasters, Eastern Standard Time, Mr. T-Bone, Green Room Rockers, Skapone, and more!

As part of Chicago's upcoming Riot Fest 2010, Chuck Wren and Jump Up Records are presenting "Club Moonstomp," which will feature the legendary Roy Ellis (from one of the greatest skinhead reggae groups ever, Symarip), as well as Eastern Standard Time, Mr. T-Bone (from Italy), and the Green Room Rockers--plus Chuck is spinning wax from his mega-deep collection. This is all going down on Sunday, October 10, beginning at 8:00 pm (18+) at Subterranean (2011 North Avenue, Chicago).

The Toasters, Crombies, and Skapone are also appearing at Riot Fest on Friday, October 8th at Subterranean!

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Take note that Jump Up has just served up three new releases:

The Green Room Rockers self-titled, sophomore album full of Motown soul and Kingston reggae is out on CD now (and LP in a few weeks).

Mr T-Bones' Instrumental Sessions Volume 1 was mixed by Victor Rice and features guest appearances by members of The Slackers (NYC), The Bullets (Los Angeles), The Caroloregians/Moon Invaders (Belgium), The Ratazanas (Portugal), The Soul Captives (San Francisco), The Forthrights (NYC), and The Heatmakers (France), plus Larry McDonald on percussion (RS7 & Dub is a Weapon); David Hillyard on tenor/baritone sax (Slackers & RS7), Kincaid Smith on trumpet (Hepcat), King Django chatting, Roger Rivas on organ (Aggrolites), Buford O'Sullivan on trombone (Easy Star All Stars), Tommy Tornado on tenor sax (Rude Rich), Rich Graiko on trumpet (Westbound Train & Void Union), Paolo Parpaglione on tenor/alto sax (Mr.T-Bone Allstars & Bluebeaters), and Cecio Grano on tenor sax/flute (Young Lions). If you buy the LP of this release, you also receive it on CD.

Lastly, Babylove & the van Dangos' new Money & The Time LP showcases the band's stunning mix of traditional ska, which is full of energy and soul! It's on yellow vinyl and limited to an edition of 500 copies.

Jump Up Records' Caribbean Moonstomp Fest

If you live/work/exist anywhere remotely near the Chicago area, you owe it to yourself to go to Jump Up's Caribbean Moonstomp Fest on October 3, 4, and 5 at the Bottom Lounge (how randy of them!). This ska festival has three nights (!) of stellar trad-leaning bands--including Roy Ellis of Symarip-- from all over the US (and a couple from Europe, too, like Dr. Ring Ding)--all organized and sponsored by DJ Chuck Wren's Jump Up Records (this fest marks the label's 15th anniversary!). Chuck has never lost faith in ska, rocksteady, and reggae; has been a steadfast promoter of the bands and scene-and is a hell of a nice guy to boot. Needless to say, he deserves our support (go and order some records from him, dammit!). If I had the time and $$$ to catch these shows, I'd be there in a New York minute.

(Having said that, if there is anyone out there who is going to the Caribbean Moonstomp Fest who would be interested in taking photos and writing up a review on all this for The Duff Guide to Ska, please get in touch with me!)