The 5-Inch Monkey Ska-cast

Language: English Episodes: 8
There's a particular energy to ska music, a rhythm that pulls you in whether it's the original Jamaican sound, the two-tone revival, or the punk-infused third wave. The 5-Inch Monkey Ska-cast is built on that energy, serving as a dedicated space for all of it. This isn't a history lecture, though you'll certainly pick up context, but rather a curated listening session that moves seamlessly across the genre's many forms and hyphenations. Every two weeks, the mix unfolds, connecting the dots from foundational artists to contemporary bands keeping the spirit alive. You might hear a classic track from The Skatalites followed by something from a new band you've never encountered, all tied together with a genuine appreciation for the music's breadth and legacy. Tune into this podcast for a consistent and deep dive into the sounds that make ska so enduring, from the rocksteady grooves to the brass-heavy anthems. It’s a twice-monthly dose of upbeat rhythms and discovery for anyone who feels that familiar pull when the offbeat guitar chops start.
Episodes
Episode 6: Songs About Girls, Vol. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 6: Songs About Girls, Vol. 1 This week’s theme is self explanatory and an area that ska and reggae have explored extensively. In fact, just a quick brainstorm has given me enough tracks to feature this theme for…
Episode 5: London International Ska Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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A quick programming note for anyone who cares. I originally conceived of a twice monthly podcast, each with a loose theme. But I also want to highlight new or active bands and those two concepts are fighting each other.…
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Over the years, Asian Man Records has moved further away from releasing ska music and focused more on punk. Who could blame them? It is a business after all and ska fell out of favor in a big way as the 1990’s came to a…
Episode 4: UK New Ska Spotlight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 4: UK New Ska Spotlight Since I have been actively seeking out new ska, it’s been the British ska that has surprised me the most. You see, I always thought of British ska as being strongly aligned with the 60’s J…
Episode 3: A Punk Ska Classic and New Ska Spotlight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This episode, we revisit a punk ska classic split CD, Skank for Brains and after that, highlight some new releases and new bands. Ska-Cast Episode #3 Asbestos Records recently re-issued the Skank for Brains split album o…
Episode 2: The Asian Man Tribute Show [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Back in June, Asian Man Records celebrated their 15th anniversary and I didn’t want that event to get too far in the rear view mirror before I gave a aural shout-out to one of the best ska labels of the Third Wave era an…
Episode 1: The Inaugural Ska-Cast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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We start the very first ska-cast with some pioneers (Johnny Moore, Roland Alphonso, Desmond Dekker, Byron Lee) then slide into a set of songs from the defunct (but legendary) Moon Ska label (Mobtown, The Pietasters, Skun…
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