Classics / Ska

Review: Dr Ring Ding is Germany's foremost ska trombonist and vocalist. While not that well known outside the ska scene, he's released a lot of records over the years, many of which are well worth picking up. One obvious example is 2013's Kalipso Times, a tasty four-track 10" that has now been given the reissue treatment. Recorded with a vast array of musicians, it's an effortlessly joyful and entertaining affair that sees him fuse his usual reggae and ska influences with nods to rhythm & blues (cheeky opener 'The Cat & The Rooster') and - more obviously - calypso. The latter inspiration is most potently explored on 'Obeah Wedding', which comes on like a long-lost Kid Creole track.

Review: "Stars on Parade" is officially the legendary Coxone Smith's first long player - "All Star Top Hits" is often thought to be, but wrongly so - a bright and breezy collection of classic ska. It is one influenced by the R&B, jive and New Orleans sounds that were first played on Jamaican Sound Systems having been imported from the United States and also touches on the evolution into rocksteady, reggae and dancehall. This collection comes with liner notes by Brian Keyo including plenty of behind the scenes stories that add extra colour to the tunes.