Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

This week’s Bovine Ska started off with a classic duet from Clive and Naomi on Treasure Isle in 1964, “You Are Mine.” After our opening two sets of ska, we began our mento set with a rare Count Lasher cut from 1961 entitled, “Love Friction,” which is not the Melotone cut of the same title which you’ve heard before. A fantastic set of reggae ended the first hour, which featured a classic from Freddie McKay on Hit in 1977, “When the Right Time Come.” Our label spotlight for this week was on the Virgonian imprint, which operated solely in the year 1977 and released brilliant reggaes from Brent Dowe, Cornell Campbell, and Tinga Stewart, to name a few of the great artists on the label. Please stay safe and healthy dear friends. XO Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

With our show this week comes the sad news that we have lost the talents of sound system operator and prolific producer, Count Shelly (born Ephraim Barrett), whose passing was just announced early Monday morning. Count Shelly was an enormous force in bringing reggae to England and in his honor during the second hour of this Bovine Ska, we delved deeply into his first imprint, the Count Shelly label.  This particular label that Count Shelly ran, featured productions by Duke Reid, Lloyd Charmers, Ranny Bop Williams, and Bunny Lee, but for our spotlight and memorial, we only played the cuts which were produced and/or arranged by Count Shelly from 1972-1974.  We send out our deepest respects to the Count’s family and many friends and colleagues during this difficult time. Rest in power Count Shelly and thank you for spreading this music we all love so much. Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

Jamaican rhythm and blues filled the first two sets of this week’s Bovine Ska,  with a highlight being a great 1961 cut sung by singer/guitarist, Basil Gabbidon, “Holly Miss Molly,”   Our mento set began with a medley of classics delivered by Boysie Grant for Motta’s MRS label in 1955. As we found out that our all-time favorite deejay, Big Youth, will be receiving the Order of Distinction later this year, Lily selected his 1973 gem, “Daylight Savings Time” and the version. “Energy Crisis.”  And for our label spotlight this week, we dug deep into Keith Chin’s exceptional, BIG M Label which has top tunes from Max Romeo, The Untouchables, and Soul Syndicate,  Stay healthy and safe friends! Till next week.  XO Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

We hope that you are all healthy and safe.  The show began this week with a dandy of a ska from Stranger Cole and Patsy Todd from Buster’s Voice of the People label which have never played on the show before, a 1965 scorcher entitled, “Love In Independence,” that we hope you’ll love. There were two ska sets this week and then a super fast, upbeat mento set which was followed by a salvo of reggaes chosen by Lily that had at the front, “Push Pull” the 1974 Studio One classic from Pablove Black with the version from The New Establishment.  For our label spotlight, we picked Tony Shabazz’s Shabazz label that has many top reggaes from Winston Jarrett and the Righteous Flames, Love Brothers United, which were backed up by Skin, Flesh, and Bones and The Revolutionaries.  Finally, we ended the show with another small tribute to Dobby Dobson and a full set of 60s Jamaican soul cuts. XO Generoso and Lily