Paris DJs Soundsystem Presents Free Download: Outernational Ska & Reggae Dub Covers MIx

As the late, great John Peel once said, "I know loads of cover versions that are regarded as being better than the original."  Its a sentiment that I ascribe to whole heartedly, and one that the always excellent Paris DJs collective has dedicated their time and passion to celebrating.

Who is Paris DJs you ask?

We're a team of creative music strategists monitoring emerging music trends. Our international network of artists, DJs & labels is growing day after day. We produce reggae, afro, soul, and more audio goodness, to be released on the newly launched Paris DJs label. We share exclusive free podcasts delivered to more than 50,000 avid audiophiles each month. We publish cutting-edge reviews, interviews and music. And finally, we're a worldwide reference site for soul, funk, afrobeat, reggae/dub, latin, alt hip-hop, jazz, jam bands, electronic, soundtrack and library lovers.

For the last seven years Paris DJs have consistently distributed some of the very best musical podcasts anywhere in the world.  As a New Year's present to all their listeners, they have just distributed their final podcast mix, which just happens to be a fantastic (and free!) diverse mix of ska and reggae covers of songs by Nirvana (Little Roy), Cher (Bang Bang Rock Steady), Nu Shooz (Analog Players Society), Diana Ross (Eva Smart), Jimmy Cliff (Madness) and Sceamin' Jay Hawkins (The Ska Vengers) among others. Go here to download the mix.

I'm in love with the Brooklyn-based Analog Players Society take on the 80's dance cut "I Can't Wait" by Nu Shooz.



Here is track listing:

01. The Decoders - Walk On By feat. Noelle Scaggs
(Burt Bacharach & Hal David cover, from 'Walk On By' digital single, 2012 / self-released)
02. Little Roy - Dive
(Nirvana cover, from 'Battle for Seattle' album, 2011 / Ark Recordings)
03. Grant Phabao & The Silvertones - Old Man River
(Jerome Kern & Oscar H&mmerstein II cover, from the upcoming 'Keep On Rolling' album, 2013 / Paris DJs)
04. Dub Colossus - Crazy in Dub
(Beyonce cover, from 'Dub Me Tender' album, 2012 / Real World)
05. Tomorrow's Children - Bang Bang Rock Steady
(Cher cover, from 'Bang Bang Rock Steady' 7 inch, 1967 / Island)
06. The Upsetters - Jungle Lion
(Al Green cover of 'Love & Happiness', from 'Double Seven' alum, 1973 / Trojan)
07. Analog Players Society - I Can't Wait
(from 'Hurricane Season In Brooklyn' album, 2012 / Studio Brooklyn)
08. Eva Smart - Upside Down
(Diana Ross cover, from 'Upside Down' 7 inch, 1980 / Empire)
09. Dub Kweli - Away Dub
(Glen Brown's 'Dub Happening' vs Zap Mama feat. Talib Kweli's 'Yelling Away', from 'Dub Kweli' mashup album, 2010 / self-released)
10. Lee Fields - You're The Right Kind Of Girl (Grant Phabao Remix)
(exclusive reggae remix, from 'Paris DJs Soundsystem - Dis Is Good For You' compilation, 2012 / Paris DJs)
11. Madness - Vietnam
(Jimmy Cliff cover, from 'Forever Young: The Ska Collection' compilation, 2012 / Salvo)
12. Prince Fatty - Ali Baba (Featuring Winston Francis & Alcapone)
(John Holt cover, from 'Prince Fatty Vs The Drunken Gambler' album, 2012 / Mr Bongo)
13. The Ska Vengers - I Put a Spell on You
(from 'The Ska Vengers' album, 2012 / self-released)
Total time : 47mn 47s