That Man is Forward: Rico Rodriguez in Memoriam

That Man is Forward
Rico Rodriguez In Memoriam

Born as Emmanuel "Rico" Rodriguez , a Cuban-born Jamaican ska and reggae trombonist. Was known as one of the first ska musicians. Beginning in the 1960s. recorded with producers such as Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, and Lloyd Daley. perhaps his most popular work was with the 2Tone Ska Band The Specials

Stop your messin' around... Better think of your future....
Time To Straighten Right Out ...
Creating Problems in Town..
Sans "A Message To You Rudy"

The Specials presented Rico in a such Special was, adding that "Featuring Rico" on some of the songs that he contributed in, makes it there something more specials. and it indeed it was the vibes that was imparted , perhaps because that mere mention made personally me as a listener , put more consciousness about his part. a big deal in a much sensible term, which he delivered.
I wasn't a fan of wind instruments, Sax, trumpet nor Trombone.
But Rico made it cool, sophisticated.
it was a different expression of emotion through the instrument , the same as how would play solo guitar, or groovy bass line, or aggressive drum part..
it was great having to finally appreciate something that was has long been underappreciated . and Ska music has opened somewhat like a Pandora's Box thing but in a positive way.

It is with his collaboration with The Specials that i noticed Rico , perhaps one of the key musicians that made me appreciate other instruments and understand the importance and role of every music instrument on the records, Sax, Trombone and Trumpets that would later led me to some jazz artists like Sax Player John Coltrane, Trumpet Players Louis Armstrong , and Miles Davis and got me started listening to Spyro Gyra (which my dad have a CD on his collection) and further led me to listening to Ella Fitzgerald , Billie Holiday.. etc
Through the years the love for such underrated music like Jazz, Delta Blues, and Reggae have essentially grown and would find its place in my crowded soul of music inclination..
And once that ear was opened to that underrated essentials in music... It made me see music in a deeper perspective .