SKAMANIA Presents: Errol Dunkley – The Debonaires – The Amalgamated – The Delirians – Kingston A Go Go – and The Enciters – at Los Globos – Los Angeles, CA

On Saturday March 30th SKAMANIA! presented the legendary rock steady legend Errol Dunkley, and once again bridged its iconic past to the blossoming and talented future. But in the eyes of many, the 30th was of significance for another equally anticipated event. Insta-Fest was also slated for that Saturday at the Echo Plex only a few blocks away, featuring several intensely popular Oi bands including the Tough Skins and Old Firm Casuals.

 

But with two weeks until the event, L.A. Weekly had reported the shows cancellation due to what was quoted as the “Skinhead Element”. Undeniably so, that very same element has graced the Echo Plex dance floors before (just as recently as November) when none other than Roy Ellis performed and packed the venue (as seen in Big Wheel Magazines coverage), including the stage.

But the day was not a total loss—it still had SKAMANIA! to come later in the evening, which was scheduled to start after Insta-Fest regardless. Boasting a who’s who of Jamaican legends to perform on the Los Globos stage, SKAMANIA! is among the elite in melding pioneering artists with todays rising and established musicians who proudly carry the torch. On the bill for the evening were some of the finest representatives in ska, rock steady, and soul from Riverside to East LA featuring: Shocks Of Mighty, The Inciters, Kingston A Go-Go, The Delirians, The Debonaires, The Amalgamated and ending with the legend Errol Dunkley. With the welcomed late edition of The Inciters, I was granted another opportunity to see them. A few of you may remember I had missed my previous opportunity to see The Inciters perform at the aforementioned Roy Ellis show in November. Although I had purchased the bands recent album “Soul Clap” from the merchandise booth, I needed to know what that deafening roar concluding the bands performance in November was all about. Firmly ensconced, I remain planted in front of the stage as they began to play and in an instant I was on my heels grinning. The sound is overpowering and precise—11 members boasting a robust horn line accompanied by fierce yet tantalizing three-part vocal harmony belting out tune after tune including “Geno”, “Don’t Make Me Wait”, and “Mr. Clean”. Preserving northern soul, The Inciters breath life into the dance floor as people pair off to dance, be it with their partners or, in my case, a camera.  

Thoroughly satiated, my thoughts drifted to the rest of the heavy hitters in the lineup and the surprise Kingston A Go-Go had declared a few days prior. Being a fan myself it had been sometime since I had danced to Kingston A Go-Go when they shared the stage with Bad Manners and Viernes 13, but to nobody’s surprise they came out sharp as a tack and full of energy and Jamaican ska “riddims”. Fronted by Spanky Kingston, the band sounded vibrant and renewed alongside Queen P serenading the dance floor all leading up to their surprise guest: Sultan Ali! Son of the immortal Prince , Sultan Ali came out to a floor-shaking roar as he came out guns afire, and bouncing and dancing, he dove right into the timeless classic “Al Capone” as the audience erupted and cheered him on as he sang. He ended the blazing set on “Shaking Up Orange Street”.

 With positive vibes and fans ready to keep things moving, it was now time for The Delirians, veterans of the Los Globos stage. The Delirians are quickly becoming the hottest ticket in town with what seems to be a perfect performance every time out. Sharing the stage alongside several veterans and pioneers, The Delirians look seasoned far beyond their years, backed by solid musicianship and wonderfully refreshing new music. It seems any stage The Delirians grace is never big enough for their booming sound and unbridled passion. Continuing on the bands success the future looks brighter than ever with many more surprises in store for the talented East Los Angeles band.

Up next was long time fan-favorites and veterans of quality west coast ska, rock steady, and reggae since the mid 90’s: The Debonaires. They ooze class and consistency intertwined with rhythmic soul-grooving melodies and utter professionalism.  Delighting the SKAMANIA! faithful with timeless classics, The Debonaires never cease to amaze, as was evident in the lack of space on the floor anytime they belt out tunes. One would think this would be enough excitement for one night but as is routine with any SKAMANIA! Promotion, it is just another cherry on top in an always well-rounded event and was time for the night’s main attraction.

Backed by San Diego’s highly entertaining Amalgamated and accompanied by the always pleasant Queen P and the breathtakingly skilled Scarlet Brais, Errol Dunkley stormed the stage looking as dapper and ecstatic as ever. Wasting no time, cheers subsided and elbows and boots began to sway as the legend washed over the crowd with his revered catalog of classic chart topping hits, each song played off the momentum of the previous one (and no doubt wore out the SKAMANIA! Faithful) and went into the wee morning.

Mr. Dunkley’s energy and fan interaction was highly entertaining to watch, from dancing up a sweat with the lovely Scarlet to playfully mimicking the styles of fellow Jamaican legends between songs, Errol Dunkley kept fans captivated throughout with songs like “Black Cinderella” and “OK Fred”. Always the showman, he waited around to sign autographs and pose for photos for his loyal and grateful fans. He will unquestionably go down as one of the best to cross the Los Globos stage. 

 

 

                More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Gio Van Dam-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

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