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The dance rhythms of the Caribbean are blended with tradition-rooted English country dance tunes by Edward II. According to Dirty Linen, “the multi-ethnic band takes that transcontinental journey one step further by mixing the heartbeat of jamaican reggae and ska with the squeezebox sounds of English traditional dance music. The result is a unique, invigorating, blend.” Formed in London’s Notting Hill district in 1985, the group signed to Cooking Vinyl to release their first album, Two Step Heaven. It was a mostly instrumental effort produced by British dub producer, the Mad Professor, and included such tongue-in-jowl ditties as “Bjorn Again Polka” and the title track.

Edward II have since gone on to record further albums on their own label. With the release of Zest in 1996, the group increasingly incorporated reggae-flavored original tunes into their roster. Edward II’s 1998 album, This Way Up, included some pure reggae tunes, including “Don’t Let the Fire Go Out,” but the album’s best moments remained the more-culturally blended songs. Edward II features Glen LaTouche (vocals), Tee Carthy (bass), Alton Zebby (drums), Simon Care (melodeon), Gavin Sharp (sax and keyboards), John Hart (trombone and guitar) and Jon Moore (guitar and fiddle).