Desmond Dekker Dies at 64

On Wednesday, May 24th, Desmond Dekker left us after suffering a heart attack at his home in Surrey, England, his manager, Delroy Williams, told Reuters.

Desmond broke reggae into the American mainstream in 1969 with his hit "The Israelites, " which sold over a million copies worldwide. He had already been a major artist in Jamaica and well known in Britain, but the single opened up the rest of the world to his unique reggae/ska music.

Desmond Adolphus Dacres was born in 1941 in Kingston, Jamaica and as a teenager he worked in a welding shop with Bob Marley. After many failed auditions for producers, Dekker took Marley's advice and tried out for soon to be legendary producer, Leslie Kong.

In 1963, Kong produced Dekker's first single, "Honour Thy Father and Mother," it reached No. 1 in Jamaica. Many of Dekker's songs, carried a message. He had great success in Jamaica with hit singles such as, "It Pays," "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning." Racking up a total of 20 No. 1 hits in Jamaica.

Desmond Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter.

Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker - "The Israelites" - mp3

Liars Are Blowing My Mind

So, the new Liars record is making my brain expand in both directions at the same time. I haven't heard something this engaging or striking since the first time I heard PiL's 'Second Edition' or 'Metal Box,' depending what side of the pond you reside on.

First discovering Liars via their disco-punk thing was fun, but then the rhythm section up and left. The second record did absolutely nothing for me, it seemed to be a searching sorta record but with 'Drum's Not Dead' they completely have come into their own. Tribal drumming, haunting piano and etheral vocals, it's dark and great for late night listening.

If your a fan of the more abstract Radiohead stuff or early PiL such as 'Second Edition' or 'Flowers of Romance' pick this up immediately.

Liars - 'Drum's Not Dead
PiL - 'Second Edition'
PiL - 'Flowers of Romance'
Radiohead - 'Amnesiac'

Mission of Burma Drop The Obliterati

Those boys from Boston are at it again. They've made their most challenging and agressive record to date. I saw them on their last tour and they blew me away with the old and the new material.

Matador Records had this to say about the new record, "We're slightly in awe of Burma's new, 3rd full-length studio album proper, 'The Obliterati'. Recorded at Boston's Q Division Studios with firmly ensconsed 4th wheel Bob Weston, 'The Obliterati' might be the most aggressive, raw and challenging recording in the band's storied career. With equally strong contributions from Roger Miller, Clint Conley and Peter Prescott, 'The Obliterati' , while having the odd melodic moment or 2 dozen, is as relentless and engulfing an album as we've heard since...well, since Burma's 'Vs.' some 24 years ago. Whether or not this album is as topical, absurdist or just plain hit-packed as that one, you'll have to figure out for yourself. For the moment, our senses are just shattered."

Check out 'The Obliterati' here

Deerhoof's Bassist/Guitarist Throws In The Towel

As reported on the band's website last night, Deerhoof's Bassist/Guitarist Chris Cohen has decided to leave the band.

Chris had been playing for years with his friend Trevor in a side project called The Curtains before joining Deerhoof. The time had come where he wanted to dedicate more of his time to The Curtains. The remaining three members will continue to bring us their beautifully sculpted noise rock and will hit the road this summer for a tour. They have also posted an EP of covers and rarities for download on their site.

Meanwhile, The Curtains will be releasing a new record on Asthmatic Kitty in the fall and hitting the road themselves.