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And then - and this really is big news - we present you the inimitable Ernest Ranglin, a true Jamaïcan legend in his own right (age 76). This exceptional guitar player has his own distinct sound, which he shaped by playing jazz in the early fifties, often side by side with Monty Alexander. Ska - not to mention reggae - was yet to be invented. The ska was born during the late fifties in Coxsone Dodd's Studio One and -yes - Ernie Ranglin was there. In '58 he recorded a single with Chris Blackwell, which became the first record ever to be released on Island Records! He was in the original formation of the Skatalites, and worked with a.o. Prince Buster and The Wailers during the early sixties.
Ranglin's first big hit was 'My boy Lollipop', which he recorded with Millie Small in England after having moved there. It was the first Jamaïcan song ever to hit the charts internationally. But he also remained active as a jazz musician, working at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London as the resident guitarist. When you listen to the recording Sonny Stitt made there in '66, you'll hear Ranglin play along. Afterwards, he toured with Jimmy Cliff, one of the great reggae stars of the seventies. One of these tours took him to Senegal, where he discovered a whole new musical universe. And then, after touring and recording for years on end, he released the album 'Below the Bassline' in '96, the perfect synthesis of jazz and reggae. Suddenly, he found himself in the spotlight again, a position he wouldn't leave anymore. He released album after album, each of them top notch records such as 'Memories of Barber Mack'  ('97) or 'Gotcha!' ('01). His love for African music was caught on 'In Search Of The Lost Riddim' ('98) and 'Modern Answers To Old Problems' ('00).
Ranglin made his first appearence in Belgium in '98 at AB/Brussels, with a mainly Senegalese band. And now Ernest is headed back for Europe, for a tour of only three shows in a ska/reggae/jazz repertoire. He will be backed by the Dutch 10-piece band (Rude Rich &) The Highnotes. Exclusive (free!) concert for Belgium. Something to be proud of.