New Ska Doc: "Gaz's Rockin' Blues: A Brief History"

Directors Leo Leigh and Zaid Mudhaffer have put together an excellent short documentary film (17+ minutes) for Spine Television about Gaz Mayall's long-running club night titled "Gaz's Rockin' Blues: A Brief History." Filmed during the release of Gaz's book, "Gaz's Rockin' Blues: The First 30 Years" (read The Duff Guide to Ska review here) and an exhibit of his club posters and related paraphernalia at London's Subway Gallery, this doc features interviews with Gaz, one of his main DJs Natty Bo (Top Cats, Ska Cubano), and assorted friends and fans. (An added bonus is a soundtrack featuring cuts from The Ska Flames and Potato 5!)

So much of what Gaz has done and accomplished with his club night is ephemeral (people came, drank, danced, socialized, fell in/out of love, caught a band, went home--then, repeat a week later) that it's really wonderful that at least some facets of it have been documented in his book--and now in this gem of a film.

Jump Up CD and LP of the Month Clubs

Here's a plug for my friend Chuck Wren at Jump Up Records who is offering these cool ska CD and LP of the Month Clubs. Chuck probably knows more about the global ska scene--and all of the ska releases out there--than anyone else around. So who better to chose the ska CDs and/or LPs that show up at your door each month? (And if you do the math, these clubs are really inexpensive, too!) If you're interested, space is limited, so sign up now!





Get hard-to-find imports selected for you by Jump Up Records! 14 CDs for $100 (price includes shipping to the USA and Canada)!

Here are the first six CDs that will be sent out to you in 2010:

TOMMY TORNADO: "Sunrise" CD
(Rude Rich sax genius, featuring Ernest Ranglin, Rico Rodriguez, Winston Francis, Dennis Alcapone & more!)

JAMAICA 69: "Como En Los Viejos Tiempos" CD
(Amazing skinhead/early reggae sounds from Mexico City! A must for Aggrolites fans!)

UPSESSIONS: "Beat You Reggae" CD
(Superb skinhead and early reggae from Holland-one of Europe's top acts!)

PAMA INTERNATIONAL: "Outernational" CD
(Superstar UK act's latest album, featuring Lynval Golding of the Specials!)

RATAZANAS: "Ohh La La" CD
(Awesome skinhead reggae from Portugal? You get cha!)

TOP CATS: "Mr Donkey Paradise" CD
(Natty Bo's first scorching 60's ska band before SKA CUBANO! Warehouse find!)





Get hard-to-find domestic and import pressings, as well as fan club editions handpicked by Jump Up Records. 12 LPs for $120 (includes shipping to the US and Canada)!

Here is the first batch of Wax Club offerings:

TOMMY TORNADO: "Sunrise" LP
(Rude Rich sax genius, featuring Ernest Ranglin, Rico Rodriguez, Winston Francis, Dennis Alcapone & more!)

MJ A ROCKER: The Drastics vs Michael Jackson LP
(The internet free download sensation on wax. Chicago's Drastics take MJ accapellas and re-create vintage Jamaican ska/reggae music behind them! Killer jams!)

RICO RODRIGUEZ: "Ghetto Rockers" LP
("Man From Warieka" dubs originally released in 1978 on white label. An amazing reissue that was long overdue!)

PAMA INTERNATIONAL: "Outernational" LP
(Superstar UK act's latest album, feat Lynval Golding of the Specials!)

NO DOUBT: "The Ska EP" 7"
(Colored vinyl fan club pressing. Live versions of "Guns of Navarone," "Racist Friend," "Ghost Town" and two lost studio ska tracks!)

CHRIS MURRY/BABYLOVE & THE VAN DANGOS: "Split" 7"
(Two new tracks to celebrate a recent European tour! Colored vinyl and cool picture sleeve!)

If all this isn't enough, both clubs include a bonus pack of 12 vintage LP cover buttons--and the CD club lets you pick two recent Jump UP CD releases for free!