This Friday’s Guest (11/20): Dave Wakeling

This Friday’s show will feature a chat with Dave Wakeling, a man who understands the value of soul while combining ska, punk an new wave as co-leader of The English Beat and General Public through a well-anticipated new album coming soon.

Wakeling has excelled on both sides of the “glass” — as a musician and as a producer. He is currently touring North America, and is working on a new album which , he says, should be ready in 2010.

Part of Wakeling’s brilliance as a musician was that he was able to infuse honest issue-oriented messages in his music while not only making his music fun, but not sounding as preachy as some of his counterparts. Whether is was with The Beat, General Public or his solo work Wakeling placed not only his soul, but his conscience into his lyrics. At the same time, his legendary musicianship put everything together to a danceable sound and which is now considered among the legendary in music history.

Wakeling is also a real humanitarian, he has raised money for various charities, including the Smile Train, and produced an all-star benefit album for Greenpeace among his many credits.