From the vaults, pulled up by my friend Dan over at SFMusicSluts, here’s Critical Mass – one of the wackier ska punky bands from the ever so wacky “third wave” o’ punky ska. Led by tenor sax man Michael Valladares – now proud owner of the bestest watering hole on that strange planet of East Bay, California, ye olde Hotsy Totsy – CM brought metal madness and cartoon music to bear on their special ska brew, here expressed as an epic instrumental.

Critical Mass – “Black Liquorice” (Play this puppeh)

Critical Mass – “Black Liquorice” (Download this puppeh)

Buy all of their records

Critters Buggin. Their name evokes their sound, so precisely. This seething ecosystem of audio organisms is off their 1999 “Amoeba” CD on Loosegroove. A beautiful mixture of ambient, electro and crazed modern jazz. Long may they bug.

Critters Buggin – “Imperial Turkey Blister”
(right click, “save as” to download the mp3, or left click to play)

Buy it at Amazon

Here’s a straight across horn-driven instrumental dub from Hi-Fi Killers. Old school Jamaican dubstyle meets late 90′s niteclubbin’ vibes. I like.

Hi-Fi Killers – “Evil Dub”
(right click, “save as” to download the mp3, or left click to play)

Buy the album at Amazon

Here’s a vintage Jam Band cut, featuring Mighty Dave Pellicciaro on organ, Dale Fanning on drums, Arnie Livingston on bass, and Scott Law on guitar. Their college band, Tough Mama was one of the first groups to wear the Jam Band label proudly, from its inception in 1987. Even as Grunge swept their Seattle home like a tsunami of flannel and heroin, these fun-loving virtuosos carved out a niche and a loyal following, all while helping create a genre that would not be repressed. Buy this groundbreaking semi-impossible to find, badass CD o’ glee called “Seven Hidden Treasures” if you can find it on the Googlenets.

Tough Mama – “Kylan Crocker” (play/download)

The autoharp is the worst musical instrument in the world. This opinion is based on bad associations with bad songs played badly at helpless captive schoolchildren including yours truly. Here, the autoharp is re-imagined as a force for good, or savaged, if you prefer, in a crass display of blipotronic avant-dub mayhem. Approval.

Minimal Pig
“Autoharp Of Moby” (download mp3)
from “Alternative Blueprint – Volume 1″
(Alternative Blueprint)
Need more!

Minimal Pig – “Autoharp Of Moby”

Charlie Hunter – “You Look Good In Orange” mp3

In which we find guitar innovator Charlie Hunter on a loose and chill flight with drummer Eric Kalb and a smart brass section. I’d love to hear the story behind the title of this album – “Gentlemen, I Neglected To Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid” – but it’s not hard to imagine the many comical scenarios where one in the music business might hear those words. I’ve enjoyed Hunter’s playing since the early 80′s, and to this day, he never stops evolving and reaching for new musical horizons more wondrous than the last. In this unhurried, sparse track, you get a sense of the humor and light that have always been a part of Charlie’s art and heart. The legendary chops are but a vehicle. This is an artist who has fun, who loves playing, and that’s why his work is so entertaining.

Charlie Hunter
“You Look Good In Orange” (mp3)
from “Gentlemen, I Neglected To Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid”
(reapandsow, Inc.)

Need more!

One of the more consistently inspired composer/producer/players in dub reggae music is one Victor Rice. A master of both the art and craft of dub, his instrumentals are items of rare beauty. “Drum Thief” is one of my favorites. Original, moving, powerful and soulful work. And you don’t even have to steal it. Go forth and dubify.

Victor Rice – “Drum Thief” mp3

From Victor Rice in America, available thru CD Baby.