SKA TREK

…and that's how it all started!
Really. That was my driving force to start a ska band. I shall elucidate.

So, I have, for the longest time, wanted to go to Japan. I am huge admirer of the culture. AI says "Japanese culture blends deep respect for tradition with modern innovation, emphasizing harmony (wa), respect for elders, and community, seen in practices like bowing, tea ceremonies (chanoyu), ikebana (flower arranging), and origami, alongside major religions like Shinto and Buddhism, unique etiquette (removing shoes indoors), popular festivals, and vibrant cuisine, with traditions coexisting alongside technological advancement.”

As well as that, there is a huge ska scene Japan. Bands such as, (AI again):

“Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (TSPO/Skapara): The original and most famous, blending ska with jazz and Latin for decades.

Kemuri: High-energy third-wave ska-punk, often compared to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Potshot: Known for their punk-infused, fast-paced ska.

Oreskaband: Popular all-female band from Osaka, mixing ska with diverse influences.

Oi-Skall Mates: A well-regarded band in the Japanese ska scene.

Gelugugu: A band popular in the ska-punk community.

Snail Ramp: Another significant ska-punk band.

The Ska Flames: A notable band from the Japanese ska scene.

FEELFLIP: Known for their melodic ska-punk sound. 

Other Notable Bands (a selection):

Rude Bones, Fruity, Midnight Pumpkin, Duck Missile, Scafull King, The Autocratics, The Kingstompers. 

Japan has a rich history of ska, with many bands exploring different subgenres, so exploring playlists like The Sound of Japanese Ska on Spotify can reveal even more artists like United Skates or Spread for hardcore ska fans.”

My thinking was, (and still is), that if I can put together a really good ska band we can go gigging in Japan and have an enthusiastic and informed audience to play to – if we’re good enough we might get invited to play there.

So now you know.

Today's Tune of The Day is Tunisia by the Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation

Back in the late 90s I went to Leeds College of Music to do my Jazz degree and although I didn't learn to play jazz or develop the desire to play jazz…ever, as a result, I was introduced to a number of stonkingly good tunes. A Night In Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie is one of my favouriters and it features a four-bar break for the next soloist which has been termed ‘the longest four bars in jazz!’.

It is a tune that is full of energy and has a melody that I toiled long and hard to try and play on both trombone and bass guitar. My efforts didn't meet with much success.

With the original title shortened to just Tunisia, this version has ramped up the excitement levels and has transitioned from jazz to ska very successfully. It is taken from the album Big Horns - RSJF ft. Bosco (EP 2017) which is also well worth a listen.

Enjoy. 

Good afternoon peoples,

Howyalldoin?

The news is that the wheels are still turning, albeit quite slowly it seems at least from my perspective. The copyright issues have now been resolved and so we are waiting on the finished copyright issue free version of the Theme From Star Trek and as soon as that has landed here, I'll attach it to the subsequent newsletter that you'll get if you have signed up to our mailing list, (pretty please if you have not done so already).

Also, the back cover of the album Project Genesis is now pretty much done and it has the track listing on it - something else to look forward to as it will be preview-able in a subsequent newsletter. The idea for the front cover is in mind - I just have to figure out how to do it in Photoshop/Photopea.

So that's it for today.

However, I thought I would repost this here video for those who have not seen it yet as it is a bit of fun to brighten up the day, especially if you are suffering from a bit of the Monday blues.

Take care & big love.

This here handsome chap is Sean Quinn who is our percussionist and is the final member of the band to be introduced to you. He hits, shakes and rattles a whole host of fab and groovy instruments that add to our sound like a sprinkling of fairy dust.

And, at the risk of being repeatedly boring, the first track has landed having been mixed. It just had to be the 'Theme from Star Trek’ and it gives the listener a pretty good idea of where we are headed in this project.

Wanna hear it?

The track will be available to download and listen to from our newsletter to all those that have signed up to the mailing list. (https://skatrek.com/home). Then you will have the benefit of getting that newsletter delivered straight to your lovely inbox every couple of weeks, starting (we hope) this Sunday (fingers crossed).

As well as being able to (hopefully) bask in the glory of our first track, you will also be kept well informed about the goings on at Skafleet HQ.

So instead of one quote of the day, today we have three:

“It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure,” by Bill Gates is a quote for today. Other options include "The only way to do great work is to love what you do" by Steve Jobs, and "Find out who you are and be that person. That's what your soul was put on this Earth to be".

Have a great weekend y'all.

Big love.

Introducing the penultimate member of the band, Vinnie Lammi, our drummer. Vinnie has a wealth of experience including the Spice Girls and Mel C and is part of Ska Trek's engine room - our Chief Engineer, (ranks, roles and divisions of band members will be published soon).

The first track has landed having been mixed. It just had to be ‘The Theme from Star Trek’ and it gives the listener a pretty good idea of where we are headed in this project.

Wanna hear it?

The track will be available to listen to and maybe download in/from our first mail out to all those that have signed up to the mailing list. (https://skatrek.com/home).

As well as being able to (hopefully) bask in the glory of our first track, you will also be kept well informed about the goings on at Skafleet HQ.

Hello there.

This post is introducing another member of the Ska Trek band to y'all. This is Ben Jones and, (as you might have guessed) he is the keyboard player. He has just put the wonderful finishing touches to Doctor Who, track 4 of the album ‘Project Genesis’.

This video shows him mid flow…

Check the posters in the background.

The first track has landed having been mixed. It just had to be ‘The Theme from Star Trek’ and it gives the listener a pretty good idea of where we are headed in this project.

Wanna hear it?

The track will be available to listen to and maybe download in/from our first mail out to all those that have signed up to the mailing list. (https://skatrek.com/home).

As well as being able to (hopefully) bask in the glory of our first track, you will also be kept well informed about the goings on at Skafleet HQ.

Well, it's been just over a month since our last post. It's been a busy month, with one thing and another. But way-hay, we're back!

The first track has landed. Phoebe Bentham, our recording engineer and all around superstar has done her stellar work and mixed a version on the opening track on the 'Project Genesis' album. The first track just had to be ‘The Theme from Star Trek’ and it gives the listener a pretty good idea of where we are headed in this project.

Wanna hear it?

The track will be available to listen to and maybe download in/from our first mail out to all those that have signed up to the mailing list. (https://skatrek.com/home).

As well as being able to (hopefully) bask in the glory of our first track but you will also be kept well informed about the goings on at Skafleet HQ.

So today's Tune Of The Day is ‘(Theme from) Exodus’ by Jazz Jamaica and written by Ernest Gold.

When I was doing my Jazz degree in 1998 at Leeds College of Music, I came across an album by the Jazz Crusaders called ‘Freedom Sound’. My favourite  track on this album album was a track called ‘Theme From Exodus’. It had a melody that had an almost dark, haunting feel created by Wayne Henderson's  muted trombone over a pedalled D note in the bass until it blossoms into a solo section that, to me, portrays a sense of emancipation, liberation and hope. This track touched something unfathomable deep inside me. I didn't know the Exodus from which this was the theme but I loved all the same and still do.

More recently I saw the Bob Marley biopic film ‘One Love’ in which there is a scene that shows that Bob Marley's seminal album ‘Exodus’ had it's title taken from the soundtrack that he heard of a 1960 film of the same name. It is an epic historical drama film about the founding of the State of Israel, produced and directed by Otto Preminger.

The Jazz Jamaica version typifies the ‘ska-ification’ process that Ska Trek undertakes to create the tunes that we play.

It's been a while since I last blogged as I have been busy doing other things. So what better way to recommence proceedings than with a video.

Have a great weekend y'all.

Big love X