Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

We hope that you are all staying safe and healthy. Shortly after we posted last week’s Bovine Ska, we were passed the very sad news that the talented solo artist, Naggo Morris, who eventually took over for Leroy Sibbles as lead singer of The Heptones, passed away last week at the age of 72.  During the second hour of this week’s show, we gave our respects to Naggo as we played his earliest recordings as a member of The Soul Boys, a group Naggo formed with Barrington Spence,and Junior Zun. We then selected some of Naggo’s early solo cuts, and tracks when he fronted The Heptones as well as other recordings that he lent his superb voice on like U-Roy’s Rasta Ambassador LP and Alton Ellis’  Daydreaming record. We send our respects to Naggo’s family and friends during this sad time. Rest in power Naggo. Thank you. Love, Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

As some of you may know by now, last Friday, our good friend, Armi Diaz passed away. Armi was good guy: a talented artist, a painter and cartoonist, who loved this music that we love so much, especially, as he told us on numerous occasions, the pre-ska of mento, play and work songs. So, in tribute to Armi, for played these early cuts, be that mento or calypso, ring song, etc and followed them up with Jamaican ska covers from the early to mid-1960s. You’ll hear Lord Power’s  raucous mento, “Penny Reel” followed by Eric Monty Morris’s ska take. Baba Motta’s blissfully lurid, “She Pon Top” with Prince Buster’s ska version right after. We send our deepest respects to Armi’s family and many friends during this sad time. Rest in peace. Armi  XO Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

On Tuesday, May 5th, we lost the woman who gave us ska’s first international hit, Millie Small. Over the last week since her passing there has been much written about Millie and the influence of her 1964 version of Barbie Gaye’s 1956 cut, “My Boy Lollipop” which went to #2 on the U.S. charts and #1 in Britain. This past Saturday we spoke at length with the wonderful, Roy Panton, who teamed up with Millie in 1962 to form an amazing duo who scored hits in Jamaica with Coxsone Dodd, Lindon Pottinger, and Prince Buster, to name a few. Roy graciously shared his memories with us from his days with MIllie as singing partners, and offered us his insights into her professional career before worldwide fame. We are so grateful to Roy for giving us his time and memories to share with you all. Rest in peace Millie. Love, Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

We hope that you all had a healthy week! For this edition of the Bovine Ska, we began with a lovely 1963 duet from brother and sister, Alton and Hortense Ellis which they cut for Clement Seymour ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd’s N D Label, “I’m In Love.” The ska flowed seven more times after that which led into our weekly mento set which began with Count Lasher’s smooth cut for Stanley Motta’s MRS label, “The Old Man’s Drive.” The first hour ended with an top notch set of mid-70s reggaes selected by Lily that are heavy on great guitar ideas like Big Youth’s “Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing,” and for our label spotlight we took a good look at the Lucky Star imprint that saw impressive efforts from Freddie McKay, David Issacs, Jackie Brown and Norris Reid. Please stay safe and as always we be with you next week! XOXO Generoso and Lily