Marvin Sparks

Congratulations to Rudiment scoring their second UK chart #1 with the anthemic " Waiting All Night ". They touched down at BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge to perform a ska version of US pop/rock band Paramore's "Now". You can see the similarity between pop-punk and ska. Bit like with a few of No Doubt's earlier stuff, especially "Just A Girl". Anyway, check out the cover below. They also put a bit of Bob Marley's "Sun Is Shining" which is always a win. Oh, and Ella Eyre's voice is a super win. You know what, I'm gonna post "Waiting All Night" because the video is awesome.

Today I'm using this space to share some of my favourite UK Garage tunes. To this day, I believe it was the best time of UK music. It was also the last time when it was just about the vibes. Nobody was interest in if it had potential to top the charts or if the makers were making money. It wasn't visual and mainstream were more concerned with boy and girl bands than the dance floor. All you judged was how it made you feel. Did it make you wanna dance, sing along and buss gun finger? That's the only criteria. This isn't nostalgia speaking either. We all highlight certain aspects, forgetting that there was a lot of rubbish when hindsight takes over but it's actually the truth. MC's didn't have to be lyrical, because nobody wanted to hear deep lyrics when we were dancing. Now it's the complete opposite; punchlines and image of success take precedence over the music in many cases as far as underground black music. We here at Marvin Sparks blame America a...

If you haven't heard of Chronixx, he's the hottest new kids pon di ends, uzeen? One of the most exciting in the new wave of reggae musicians in Jamaica. Very versatile, can deejay, sing or a bit of both. ( Tumblr'd about him so check that song too.) The song we are here for today is "Smile Jamaica". (It isn't a Bob Marley cover.) Chronixx sings about falling in love at first sight with a woman from the tropics called Jamaica who has been abused and taken for granted even though she offered a lot. Sounds like someone or should I say somewhere I know... Hmm... Anyway, check out the potential Jamaica Tourist Board soundtrack and they may as well use the video as an advert too. Knowing JTB and their short-sightedness they won't, but hey, still for us to enjoy. Funnily enough, it's produced by Silly Walks Discotheque, a sound system from out of Germany. And while we're posting sunny songs with sunny videos on a really cold day in London, check ...

Dancehall artist's have a way about these male-female combination songs that no other genre seems to do as well. From songs like Shabba Ranks & Krystal - " Twice My Age " in the '80s, Terror Fabulous & Nadine Sutherland - " Action " in the '90s and Sean Paul & [insert female] - "[insert song choice here]" (we'll say Cecile - " Can You Do The Work? ". And who can forget incredible (and infamous) Spragga Benz & Lady Saw - "Backshot" and Vybz Kartel & Spice - "Ramping Shop"? Female to male conversation songs aren't done on the same scale in any other genre and to this quality. Ok, so now I've set the scene, get those out of your head or your expectations will be too high. Went on a little reminiscing/informative bit there, I wouldn't even say this is a classic jam like the above HOWEVER, the song is a floor filler, bumper-to-front type song. Instantly caught my ear on a mix CD i...

Three things this week showed me the decline in our (influenced but) individual London culture. We know music is a good indication of what's going on in certain regions. Not always 100% correct, but an alright indicator. First thing: So Solid concert In the run-up to the concert, Twitter was awash with people reminiscing on those days, 12 years ago when the southwest London collective were the hottest property on underground and crossed over to the nation through #1 single "21 Seconds" and platinum-selling album, They Don't Know. The 35+ member crew won MOBO and a Brit Award for best video, performing at both. They weren't only trendsetters for music, the movement spearheaded fashion on the ends. We all wanted Avirex jackets and Audi TT's. During the reminiscing sessions, we discuss clothing: Nike TNs to Reebok Workouts on our feet, clima fit hats, cloud Moschino jeans, Iceberg History shirts, Patrick Cox loafers... those were a few things we wore 12 y...

New wave roots reggae artist Protoje drops the video for the third single lifted from second album The 8 Year Affair. Appears as the second track on the album, but it's really the first as the opening track is more an intro. Serious bass line on this one reminiscent of 80s reggae/dancehall produced by cousin Don Corleon. Vibes I love. One of my favourite songs on the album. Review to forward some time soon. I want to fully digest it enough times before I make judgement. My review on first listen would've been a lot different to what it would be right now. May change again, so we'll see. Check back again next week. In the meantime, check the video captured in the beautiful Kingston, Jamaica as Diggy and friends promote his album listening session which was held at Edna Manley Arts college. I think it's all on Hope Road as you will see the crew walking past Bob Marley museum. Catch cameos from fellow new wave artists Chronixx, Jah 9, Kabaka Pyramid, No Maddz and more....

So, I've waited this long to post this entry. I apologise, hopefully you still enjoy it.  Here's last years edition If you wanna read a breakdown of reggae and dancehall from Jamaica, check Erin McLeod's breakdown here Disclaimer: your favourite song may be missed. That's how it goes sometimes. 2012 was Jamaica's 50th year of independence from Britain, so it's only right I follow up last years post. I wrote a series of posts dedicated to how Jamaica has given back to "Mother Britain" since independence through various styles of Jamaican-infected UK music. You can check that out here . I also interviewed grime god father Wiley on how Jamaican and other Caribbean music influences him and shaped our scenes. Click read more below to, er, read more.