Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

As we told you the sad news during last week’s radio show, Conroy Cooper. the brilliant keyboardist, organist,arranger and band leader of The Broncos and The Fab Five, passed away on June 14th at the age of 74. Conroy began his professional career in music performing with the Tommy McCook, Bobby Aitken and The Carib Beats, and Lynn Taitt and The Jets, and it is his work with the Jets and Ernie Smith that begins our memorial. We followed with Conroy’s work with his groups The Broncos and The Fab Five, both their finest instrumental cuts and with the two bands performing behind everyone from Miss Lou, Louise Bennett, Johnny Nash, Joe White, Eric Donaldson, and many more before Conroy left the Fab Five in 1978. We hope that you like our tribute and we send our deepest respects to Conroy’s brother and band mate, Grub and their family, friends, and many colleagues in music. XO Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

Just before we started recording this week’s show, we heard the sad news that Conroy Cooper, the talented organist/keyboardist and original member of The Fab 5 was found dead at the age of 74. We send our condolences and played a cut from the Fab 5, but we did not have time to put together an adequate memorial this week, but we shall on our next show. This week’s show started with two sets of ska beginning with a rare cut from The Zodiacs: Their cover of the Coasters 1960 hit, “Wake Me Shake Me.” Our mento set followed and a long set of reggae before getting into our spotlight of Pluto Shervington’s rare Playback Label which features top cuts from 75-76 from Pluto, Roman Stewart, and Laxton Ford. Stay healthy and strong and cool, friends! XO Generoso and Lily

Howdy Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

We started off this week’s edition of the Bovine Ska with two sets of ska, including what might be a first for the show, a Perry Como cover, this time performed by Alton Ellis and The Flames! Our mento set that followed begins with a super rare Count Lasher track and all three songs we played are heavy on the piano, A fantastic reggae set selected by Lily followed with some wonderful Winston Riley-produced cuts and then our label spotlight on Doug Bryan and Sydney Crooks’ Hot Rod imprint, which is not to be confused with UK label of the same name that was run by Lambert Briscoe. Stay healthy and strong and cool, friends! XO Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Listeners,

On May 28th, Prime Minister Edward Seaga, passed away on his 89th birthday. We send our deepest respects to the Prime Minister’s family, colleagues and many many friends during this very sad time. As we are sure that many of you know, prior to Seaga’s long career in politics he was Harvard-educated anthropologist and groundbreaking musical producer who supervised the recordings of early Jamaican musics, wrote extensive liner notes for musical artists like the Frats Quintet and founded the West Indian Record Limited Label where he recorded Higgs and Wilson, Laurel Aitken, and Byron Lee. For our memorial we concentrated on the Prime Minister’s massive efforts in bringing Jamaican music and culture to the world. Rest in power Prime Minister and thank you. Generoso and Lily