Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Mittoo was a founding member of The Skatalites and a legendary Studio One keyboardist who backed Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and others. His music played a crucial role in reggae’s foundation and he left a rich recorded legacy of his work in both Jamaica and Canada, where he lived through the 1970s and ’80s. This reissue of a rare album, recorded in Toronto in 1971, captures Mittoo at his best on gems like the majestic instrumental “Grand Funk” and the soaring, gospel-tinged reggae workout “Soul Bird.”

Canadians are tops at reality TV. J.D. Fortune won the contest to become the new INXS singer, and preening vocalist Lukas Rossi beat out 15 contenders to front a three-headed monster with Motley Crüe’s Tommy Lee Jones, Metallica’s Jason Newsted and Guns N’ Roses’ Gilby Clarke. Yes, Fortune once lived in his car and Rossi was, in his own words, “broke as a joke.” But are their victories really worth celebrating? Judging by this histrionic, hideous recording, no. One song title here says it all: “Social Disgrace.”

Canada has its share of prodigies, including this Saskatchewan native who, at the age of 10, became musical director and organist at her local church. Now in her 20s, Taylor has emerged as a jazz diva worth watching. Her second album, produced by keyboard great Doug Riley, showcases her impressive range, belting out Louis Jordan’s “Knock Me a Kiss” and Cole Porter’s “Just One of Those Things” or delivering a swinging rendition of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” and her own bluesy “Little Black Dress.”