May 26th, 2006 Desmond Dekker, the Kingston singer whose haunting, strident "Israelites" was the first Jamaican reggae hit to cross over to international success, died May 25 of a heart attack in his Surrey, England, home. He was 64, and was to begin a European tour the following week. "He had a nice spirit -- very soulful and a very good songwriter," says Toots Hibbert of the Maytals, who befriended Dekker while recording in Kingston in the '60s. "Of course, he should have gotten a lot more credit, but that's the way it goes sometimes." Born Desmond Dacres in Kingston, Dekker was an orphan who found early work as a welder. He passed an audition with the Beverley's record label in 1961 and had a string of regional hits, such as "King of Ska," before reinventing himself as a rebel "rude boy" in 1967. His hits in that vein, including "007 (Shanty Town)" and "Tougher Than Tough," made him a key influence on the Sex Pistols and the Clash. "Punkers identified with that. When they used to go dancing, there were no punk-rock records. They were listening to King Tubby and early Jamaican toasters -- Desmond Dekker, for sure," says Moss Raxlen, a Montreal reggae expert and dub producer. Flush with the success of 1969's "Israelites," Dekker moved to England and signed with influential new-wave label Stiff Records, putting out the "Black & Dekker" album with Graham Parker's band, The Rumour. Dekker was divorced with a son and daughter, returning to Jamaica only sporadically to see his family. He went bankrupt in 1984, but toured regularly until his death, playing festivals all over the world; his last show was May 11 at Leeds University in England. "He was pushing himself really hard. It just kind of caught up to him," Raxlen says. "To me, that's not such a bad way to go -- you're 64 years old, touring the world and doing what you love doing." STEVE KNOPPER
	Sad to say - Raggabeats have decided to call it a day.  They have separated for a time but will be popping up indovidually in new bands and collaborations. Also linked with this is the demise of Subiaco's Clancy's Fish Restaurant which was the band's home for almost 3 years.
Brew is the sound of Northbridge	Special Brew has been selected for the music on a new commercial to advertise the nightlife of Northbridge.  The deal was struck appropriately, at a pub over much beer. Production will be finished in May and on the air sometime after that.
	Downoaded any "pirated" MP3's lately.  If so, you're not alone.  There are over 9 million servers around the world doing nothing but dishing out music and video files to wnyone who wants it.  The recording companies blamed this for their drop in sales - conveniently overlooking the damage that milking the industry with high prices and over-releasing records.  Then Apple's iPod and iTunes web site started selling music in a more reasonable way and at a better cost.  Maybe all we wanted was a fair deal? Further evidence;  more than 70 US universities, major centres of file sharing, have now signed deals with record companies to provide their students with unlimited downloads for a regular $30 a year subscription.  Maybe this is the writing on the new music wall.
	Goo d to see our friends in RaggaBeats have got out their single.  we love their music.  Catch them at their home - Clancy's in Subi on Wednesdays - you won't be sorry.  Click the picture to goto their web site.
	Legendary New York club CBGB, birthplace of American punk and kickstarter for bands such as Blondie, Talking Heads, Pati Smith, Television, etc, etc is without an official home.  Its problem is that it opened in 1973 in the ultra-low rent district of the Bowery, which was just fine for 32 years.  But now the area is being gentrified and the landloard, the Bowery Residents Committee headed by the colourfully named "Muzzy" Rosenblatt, refuses to negotiate a new lease because it wants higher-rent-paying tennants instead.  Despite intervention from the Mayor of NY, various celebs and even a court case in favour of CBGB, the club's lease has expired and won't be renewed.  What's next.. we'll keep you posted.
	Robert A Moog (pronounced "moge"), inventor of the modern synthesiser died on August 21st, 2005.  He was aged only 71.  An electronics engineer with a PhD from Cornell University, and describing himself as "a technician", he nevertheless changed the face of music from 1968 to the present day (and beyond - his incompany and instruments are doing good business). The first big Moog hit was keyboardist Walter (later Wendy - note) Carlos "Switched-On Bach" in 1968.  Noteably it was used in the early days by the Beatles in Abbey Road, Manfred Mann, Yes and Pink Floyd.  I became the signature sound of prog rock of the 70s (Emerson, Lake and Palmer et al) and also funk, hip-hop, and techno.  Moog sounds are everywhere and used more than ever.... a fitting memorial!
	Looks like the third wave ska bands are getting back to basics.  Madness released their homage to old school ska with the Dangerman Sessions, and now Buster and the boys in Bad Manners have an album of covers out.  We've got it on order and can't wait to hear it.
	Our new online single..enjoy! Click the picture to go to the records page
	It's Radiothon time again.  Be generous and support RTR FM - the best radio station there is.  Brew's headlining the opening party at the Leedervile on the 19th, so don't miss it (click on the picture to find out more)
	Some of you would have been shocked to hear that Camden Town complete with markets and Electric Ballroom - one of the spiritual centres of ska - was to be redeveloped.  After a battle of several years, the project is now DEAD
	MADNESS have just released their first new album in ages, THE DANGERMAN SESSIONS (vol1).  They're all covers done that special Madness way, but rumours are that they are working on originals..stay tuned. I might add that this is an album that gets better and better and better as you listen.  Viva la Madness.
WESTSKA	Want to keep on top of the Perth SKA scene? Then you want to check out our friend Bendog's site HERE ..and you can also see the man in person if you drop down to the Hydie front bar in North Perth.  It's Dub & Ska  every Monday night, where you'll see live ska acts and DJs too
RENTSPENDERS	MAGNUS is our lead singer, but you can catch him in his side project THE RENT SPENDERS at the Hydie most Mondays
	Respect.. We mark the passing of Laurel Aitken, the Godfather of Ska.  Check his site out  HERE