Ras Digby

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Roots Revival champion & Culture selections from the 70s & 80s rub a dub style Jamaican recordings from the Golden age Dub master selector of Sir Jessus Sound UK

13/01/2025

Message haffi send on to this generation too much snakes & wolves in dis Gideon wise up and give love where there is none too much murderous spirits in the world wicked prefer war than show love the world is burning 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥Jah nah sleep prophesy reveals but people blind & lack faith

These guys played ball 🔥🔥🔥🔥💯
09/01/2025

These guys played ball 🔥🔥🔥🔥💯

Brazil in the 1962 World Cup 🇧🇷: Djalma Santos, Zito, Gilmar, Zózimo, Mauro, Nilton Santos; Garrincha, Didi, Pelé, Vavá, Zagallo ❤️‍🔥.

07/01/2025

I gained 124 followers, created 220 posts and received 1,279 reactions in the past 90 days! Thank you all for your continued support. I could not have done it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

05/01/2025

Big thanks to all who turned out to Sir Jessus memorial respect and blessings ❤️💛💚🖤

Foundation ska artist
03/01/2025

Foundation ska artist

Laurel Aitken: The Godfather of Ska and Architect of a Global Music Revolution
Written by DJ Buzzbee

Few musicians can claim the title of a genre's architect, but Laurel Aitken, hailed as the "Godfather of Ska," built a legacy that cemented his place in music history. From Havana to Jamaica and beyond, Aitken’s rhythms ignited dance floors, influenced subcultures, and laid the foundation for the global phenomenon of ska and reggae.

Born Lorenzo Aitken on April 22, 1927, in Havana, Cuba, Aitken's multicultural heritage deeply shaped his sound. His family’s move to Jamaica in 1938 immersed him in the island’s vibrant music scene. Aitken, influenced by American jazz, R&B, and the local sounds of mento and calypso, began serenading tourists on Kingston’s docks and performing in nightclubs as a teenager. His knack for blending styles set the stage for ska, a genre that would soon take the world by storm.

In the late 1950s, Jamaica’s music scene was evolving. Ska emerged from the interplay of New Orleans R&B and boogie-woogie rhythms, reinterpreted with an emphasis on the upbeat guitar strum—a hallmark of ska’s infectious groove. Laurel Aitken was at the forefront, recording tracks like "Roll, Jordan, Roll" and "Boogie Rock" for Stanley Motta’s Caribbean Recording Company. These early hits were a blueprint for ska, combining Afro-Caribbean rhythms with the danceable energy of American music.

Aitken’s 1958 release "Boogie in My Bones" was a seismic moment. Produced by Chris Blackwell for the fledgling Island Records, it became the first Jamaican single to top the island’s charts. The song’s success marked the beginning of ska’s journey beyond Jamaica, setting the stage for its global appeal. Aitken’s subsequent recordings, such as "Little Sheila" and "Baba Kill Me Goat," further solidified his reputation as a musical innovator.

In 1960, Aitken relocated to Britain, bringing his rich musical heritage to the growing Jamaican diaspora. His recordings on the Blue Beat label resonated with British audiences, particularly among subcultures like mods and skinheads. Tracks like "Lonesome Lover" and "Mary Lee" became anthems, while his collaborations with the likes of Duke Reid and the Skatalites during a brief return to Jamaica in 1963 produced classics like "Weary Wanderer" and "Zion."

Aitken’s music played a crucial role in defining the identity of British youth movements. His 1969 hit "Skinhead Train" and the LP Scandal in a Brixton Market celebrated the spirit of the burgeoning skinhead subculture, intertwining ska with the social and political consciousness of the time. As reggae gained prominence in the 1970s, Aitken adapted, recording more reggae-infused tracks like "Fire in Me Wire" and "P***y Price," which showcased his ability to evolve with the times.

While the rise of reggae icons like Bob Marley eclipsed ska in the 1970s, Aitken’s influence endured. The late 1970s two-tone ska revival brought his music back into the spotlight. Bands like The Specials and Madness hailed Aitken as a foundational figure, and his 1980 single "Rudi Got Married" became his first British chart hit. UB40’s cover of his song "Guilty" and his appearance in the 1986 film Absolute Beginners further cemented his enduring appeal.

Even in his later years, Aitken continued to perform, delighting fans with his timeless sound. Despite health challenges, he remained active until his passing in 2005 in Leicester, England. His influence remains omnipresent, celebrated in albums like The Pioneer of Jamaican Music and live performances that captured the energy and innovation of ska.

Laurel Aitken’s legacy is unparalleled. As the Godfather of Ska, he not only shaped a genre but also bridged cultural divides, providing the soundtrack for social movements and rebellious subcultures. His pioneering spirit continues to inspire musicians and fans alike, proving that his rhythms will forever resonate across generations.

SIR JESSUS MELBOURNE HECTOR MEMORIAL 4th January 2025 @ Donahues 5-1pm
03/01/2025

SIR JESSUS MELBOURNE HECTOR MEMORIAL
4th January 2025 @ Donahues 5-1pm

02/01/2025

Happy new year to my blessed & loved ones as well as my followers good health and Jah love to you all

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎Angela Malcolm, Ricky Skeete, Fabrizio Laganà, Gary Weller, Albert Campbell, Hugh ...
01/01/2025

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Angela Malcolm, Ricky Skeete, Fabrizio Laganà, Gary Weller, Albert Campbell, Hugh Scarlett, Paul Bazir, Ras Fka, Wout Adriaens, Jannoi Bruno, William Jones, Ich Bin Dub Yann, Bob Scientist, Ramon Deen, Jonathan Nadjar

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community, fans

01/01/2025

Landed safely in Paris 🫶🏽🙏🏾❤️💛💚

30/12/2024

Seems that we are proving we aren’t challengers 😭

30/12/2024

We getting spanked we look like Xmas killed us too much liquor I reckon

30/12/2024
26/12/2024

You know when you getting a fight in life when the disrespect is so blatant it’s disgusting know yourself before I expose you without apology!!!

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