Gimmicks will never replace chops.  And SDI is: without a doubt, the tightest band around.  SDI usually stands for Strategic Dance Initiative, although on occasion it can mean Stop Dancing Immediately or Seven Drunken Idiots.  But these guys are far from idiots.

The band is an off-shoot of The Blue Riddim Band, The only American band to ever be nominated for best reggae record of the year.  That’s right buddy boy.  Grammy nominees.

Unfortunately, because of treachery and deceit committed by management and (puke) lawyers, Blue Riddim was forced to abandon ship in '87.  Fortunately, love of music is not regulated by or lawsuits and the majority of Blue Riddim now play in SDI.

The mastermind behind all this is Steve “Duck” McLain, my musical mentor and spiritual advisor.  Duck started playing r&b and soul music in the '60s and by '71. had developed a serious interest in reggae and ska music. This was long before most people heard of reggae and probably didn't realize that one of the top selling pop songs of that era was actually a reggae tune by Desmond Dekker called "Israelites."

In the mid-7Os, Duck, along with Bob Zohn, Drew Meyers. Howard Yukon and Pat Pierce, formed Rhythm Funkshun and became one of the first bands in America to experiment with reggae.  With the addition of Scott Korchak and Jack Blackett in 1978, the band became Pat’s Blue Riddim Band which later became Blue Riddim.

I first saw them open for Bob Marley in Lawrence in ’79, and soon became an avid follower of the band.  In 1983, because of an improbable series of events, I was fortunate enough to join this group of heavyweights, an adventure that changed my life.  I’ve been in the biz for 15 years, and regardless of our relationship, I can objectively say that Duck is hands down the best drummer I’ve ever seen.  He can, and does play almost every conceivable type of dance music.

While he influenced an entire generation of reggae musicians, Duck would have been just as successful playing any other form of music.  While Blue Riddim was a straight ahead reggae band, SDI plays not only ska and reggae, but also a myriad of other Caribbean and African musics; Soca from Trinidad, Soukous from Zaire, Zouk (or Cadance) from Antigua/Martinique, not to mention James Brown and New Orleans Blues.  Around the world in three hours is the best description for a live SDI show.

Collectively, the band has 150 years of experience and it shows, because they play every musical idiom like they’ve played that type of music their entire career.  Respect due!  Seen?

Miscellaneous…Speaking of Grammy nominations, this year's nominees for Best Reggae record (or CD, I guess) were Ziggy Marley, Steel Pulse, Rita Marley, Black Uhuru and Shaba Ranks.  Looks like Shaba is a shoo in for this one, folks… Did anyone who was watching the NBA All-Star game, notice that as Bob Costas hosted half-time, Bob Marley's "Get Up Stand Up" was playing loudly in the background?

The market is loaded with releases of classic ska, rocksteady and reggae.  One to avoid is Dance Hall Session on RAS records.  Once again, overdubs intended to “modernize” historical recordings have marred the original songs, rendering them unlistenable.  Two new killer releases are Ska Bonanza and Out Of Many, One on Trojan. Ska Bonanza is the best ska compilation I’ve ever heard and features two or three previously unreleased Wailers tunes. Out Of Many, One is an interesting collection of rocksteady era songs.  Most notable are the cuts by Big Youth.  Trojan has been distributing reggae for more than 25 years.  For those who want to add to their collection, almost any record on Trojan is worth buying.  Maximum respect.