Yeah, sounds a bit naughty but a rimshot, in drumming terms at least, is a very important technique in ska and reggae music.

The sound is achieved by hitting the rim of the drum and the skin at the same time… with the same stick, natch.

John Bradbury of The Specials is a particularly fine practioner of the rimshot. The technique is all over Doesn’t Make It Alright from The Specials' debut album Specials (1979). Great guitar solo on there too by the way.

R is also for… Reggae: Although we’ve been talking about ska, later '60s sounds are defined as early reggae, skinhead reggae or just plain reggae. When ska artists slowed the tempo of ska they called the ‘new’ style rocksteady. Reggae is generally faster than rocksteady but slower than ska. Right, that’s sorted that one out.