Nicky Dread

On this week's version of The Crooked Beat (Thursday 7-9 PM Eastern) I've got new music from TriXstar, Blackout JA (breathing new life into a classic Bunny Wailer riddim), plus Queen Ifrica, Rebelution, Alborosie, CJ Joe, Black Roots, Laid Blak, Fantan Mojah, and a Lee Groves remix of a U-Roy/Dub Syndicate cut. Prince died five years ago. Radio Riddler pays tribute with a selection from their 2014 album "Purple Reggae". We start with a horns version of the Cool Ruler's "Cool... Down The Pace" from Megumi Mesaku, and Gregory Isaacs from the Night Nurse album. Thanks to Echo Beach, Blacklion Movements, KevWreck Records, Boomrush Productions, Easy Star Records, VP Records, Izayoung Boy Production, Vibronics, Nubian Records & Sugar Shack Records. Stay safe. Stay connected. And look out for others. Guidance, Nicky Dread, CFRU-FM / cfru.ca

Tonight on The Crooked Beat we remember the three original Wailers' singers, with Bunny Wailer's "Riding", Peter Tosh's reflections on the "Peace Treaty" of the late 1970s, and Bob Marley's call to unity in "Top Rankin'". I've got a brand new track from Toronto's The Human Rights, a teaser from their upcoming album "Reggae Strong". Also, new music from Eek A Mouse, Wailing Souls, Macka B, Tarrus Riley, and a track from Dennis Brown, dug out of Canadian label Sharty B Product...ions' archives. We celebrate the winner of the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards - Toots and The Maytals for "Got To Be Tough". I start with music from Monty Alexander, Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare from the 2000 album "Monty Meets Sly & Robbie and their version of "Cannon Ball" Adderley's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy".