Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends, 

On January 20th, we lost the wonderful talents of Ronnie Nasralla OD, a man who worked relentlessly to promote Jamaican music and especially ska all over the world. Born in Kingston in 1930, Nasralla had an early interest in sports and dance and while attending high school at St. George’s College he met Byron Lee. Throughout the 1960s, Lee and Nasralla teamed up to produce some of the most exciting music on the island, including multiple hits from The Blues Busters, The Dragonaires, and of course, Toots and The Maytals. For our tribute, we looked at the many labels that Nasralla produced for including his own BMN, Pussy Cat, and Gala labels. as well sharing our thoughts about Mr. Ska. We send our deepest sympathies to Nasralla’s family and many friends and colleagues. Thank you Ronnie.  Love Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends, 

On Saturday, January 9th, we sadly lost Johnny Johnson, the gifted singer who fronted Johnny and The Attractions (Call of the Drums, Young Wings Can Fly), and who sang lead on the classic Techniques megahits from 1968, “It’s You I Love” and “Traveling Man.” Johnson has always been somewhat of a mystery to us as he possessed one of the most beautiful voices of his generation, but only recorded a handful of songs, most being masterworks of rocksteady. Instead of a long career in music, Johnson proudly served in the Jamaica Defence Force where he reached the rank of Captain, and then later he became a computer programmer and restaurateur. As we adored Johnson’s voice, we memorialized him beginning in the second hour of this week’s show.  We send our deepest respects to Johnson’s family and friends and thank his memory for these wonderful performances. Rest in peace Johnny XO Generoso and Lily

Hello Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

We started off this week’s program with two sets of ska beginning with The King of Ska, Derrick Morgan and his 1974 cut for Buster, “Katy Girl.” Our mento set followed with an instrumental medley from Chin’s Calypso Sextet, and we ended the first half of the show with a set of superb mid-1970s reggaes that were selected by Lily that began with The Sentiments 1976 track for Virgo, “Why Did You Lie.” Our label spotlight followed and this week it is on the Studio Shack label which includes great reggaes from: Joy White, Ranking Trevor, and many more! Stay healthy and strong friends. XO Generoso and Lily

Happy New Year Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

For this first show of 2021, we examined the impact that the brilliant songwriting team of Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry had on Jamaican music. You of course know so many of their hit compositions like “Baby I Love You,” “Be My Baby” for The Ronettes, and “Then He Kissed Me” for “Da Do Ron Ron” for The Crystals, and you will hear on the first half of our show the many ska and reggae covers of these classics which were penned by Greenwich and Barry. In the second half, we then concentrated on Greenwich’s and Barry’s songwriting efforts beyond their partnership. So, if you want to hear The Melodians reggae take on the Greenwich/Barry gem, “I’ll Take You Where the Music is Playing,” or Lorna Bennett’s version of “Chapel of Love” then this is the show for you! We wish all of you the best for a safe and peaceful 2021. XO Generoso and Lily

Happy New Year Bovine Ska and Rocksteady Friends,

We began this last Bovine Ska of 2020 with two sets of joyful ska, starting with a rare cut from Lyn Carby and The Originals from 1965, “Treat Me Right.”  Our mento set had three songs dedicated to cricket, including Count Lasher’s lovely “Tribute To Sobers.”  Our reggae set which ended the first hour was dedicated to the memory of Judah Eskender Tafari who passed away back in June, and our label spotlight this week is on the short-run Danger Zone label, which has a few stellar mid-70s reggae cuts from The Righteous Flames and Bobby Soul.  We wish you the best as we approach 2021. Please have a Happy and Healthy New Year XO Generoso and Lily