Ska music reviews

I'm a big fan of Toots and the Maytals and this is by a wide margin my favorite session by them. Anchored around the mellow groove of "Get Up, Stand Up" (not to be confused with the much more popular Marley tune- this one is completely different) this session also includes the standout tracks "Feel Free", "No Difference Here", "Rhythm Down Low" and several others, all grounded in a great horn section and Toots inimitable vocal style. Fans of classic roots reggae will love this one, now sadly out of print and quite hard to find. IMO it is only a matter of time before this one is reissued.

I have been looking for this Cd for years. I'm playing the LP right now for the first time in many years also...
'Get up Stand up' would have to be one of the best cover versions produced.
I just hope I can still by the CD...

This is one of the best roots reggae albums ever recorded! Toots and the Maytals are recorded here at the height of their musical powers! A true reggae classic - check it out mon!

I used to live in the same neighborhood as these guys. I only know this because the guy at the local music store (who championed this CD) told me. I bought it on his rec.

Wow! I was so proud to live on Chicago's North Side with these guys. Imagine The Jam at their most rollicking, fronted by a hybrid of Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson (minus the piano).

SLAM!!! It's just one thunderbolt after another, fast and furious ROCK with raw, raw, yet clean production. Sorry about all the CAPS, but there's no other way to get my point across.

If you like any of the previously mentioned bands, The Who, Material Issue, Small Faces or any other of that ilk, I urge you to check this CD out.

And no, I don't know these guys, but I wish I did.

The record has been crafted from twelve songs chiseled from the very core of rock. The music is full of quick changes, stops, starts and cleverly honed lyrics mingled with irresistible melody. The music is obviously based on the Mod styles and ideals of 1960's England. These songs are non-stop action. The only moment to take a breather is on "Crazy", when the listener can stand back for a look into a classic arrangement of pop lyric, this song defines the fundamental rules of structuring a pop song. Great!

The band's material circles the influences of The Jam, The Who and Elvis Costello with an American skew. "So Long!" is a tune that combines James Brown and Paul Weller in a way that would make the two legends proud. Other songs like "Killing Time", that covers the laughs and disappointments of returning to ones high school reunion; and "Life's Hidden Meaning" that covers the laughs and disappointments of life itself, both successfully sum up the attitudes shared by a generation - any generation. There isn't a moment on the record that depends on some lame, routine progression of chords. The guitar and bass are constantly at odds, resulting in an unbelievable listen. Hold on tight!

One track from the record "Down, but not out" was featured on Scoot!'s - Jump Up! CD Sampler in the Spring 1999 issue. A perfect combination of an explosive front man and an unflappable rhythm section. It's rock at its basic best.

This is one of those rare albums that you come back to time and time again. I have friends who have heard it once and said 'hmm, not bad' then they've come back and asked to hear it again. It's one of those that gets under your skin and makes you want to listen to it again and again.

Tracks like Primrose Hill, and Mr. Speaker (Gets The Word) are outstanding and unlike anything you will have heard released by Madness in the general charts.

Buy this album, you may not appreciate it the first time you hear it but you will come back to it and it will be one of the best albums you own.

loved madness all the way through my teens
loved madness all the way through my thirties
still love them this album is a must FAB.

The more I listen to this album the more incredible it appears to be. I first got into Madness through fascination with the 2-Tone scene of the late 70's. The Specials were for awhile my "all time favorite band" but long after as my music tastes wandered from thing to thing and matured, it was Madness that endured. They are in a total league of their own, with the closest thing to them I have yet to find to be Blur(while they were still "British" and not wanting to become Americans.) I'm suprised no one has reviewed this album, because this album, like The Jam's All Mod Cons, Blur's Parklife, and before both of them the Kink's Village Green Preservation Society, is a work of art in British guitar-pop music tradition. My favorite Madness album was for a long time "Absolutely", their 2nd, and 2nd most ska orientated(as well as last overall "ska" album pretty much altogether), but overtime, Rise and Fall has become not only my fav Madness, but one of my all time favorite albums, period. The Kinks, the Small Faces, the Who, the Smiths, and today Blur and maybe Supergrass..Madness is one of the great British guitar pop bands with a sense of tradition, not to mention simply one of the greatest singles bands of all time and, at their peak, the most popular British band since the Beatles.(In Britain anyway, what do Americans know anyway?)

This is one of those rare albums that you come back to time and time again. I have friends who have heard it once and said 'hmm, not bad' then they've come back and asked to hear it again. It's one of those that gets under your skin and makes you want to listen to it again and again.

Tracks like Primrose Hill, and Mr. Speaker (Gets The Word) are outstanding and unlike anything you will have heard released by Madness in the general charts.

Buy this album, you may not appreciate it the first time you hear it but you will come back to it and it will be one of the best albums you own.

loved madness all the way through my teens
loved madness all the way through my thirties
still love them this album is a must FAB.

The more I listen to this album the more incredible it appears to be. I first got into Madness through fascination with the 2-Tone scene of the late 70's. The Specials were for awhile my "all time favorite band" but long after as my music tastes wandered from thing to thing and matured, it was Madness that endured. They are in a total league of their own, with the closest thing to them I have yet to find to be Blur(while they were still "British" and not wanting to become Americans.) I'm suprised no one has reviewed this album, because this album, like The Jam's All Mod Cons, Blur's Parklife, and before both of them the Kink's Village Green Preservation Society, is a work of art in British guitar-pop music tradition. My favorite Madness album was for a long time "Absolutely", their 2nd, and 2nd most ska orientated(as well as last overall "ska" album pretty much altogether), but overtime, Rise and Fall has become not only my fav Madness, but one of my all time favorite albums, period. The Kinks, the Small Faces, the Who, the Smiths, and today Blur and maybe Supergrass..Madness is one of the great British guitar pop bands with a sense of tradition, not to mention simply one of the greatest singles bands of all time and, at their peak, the most popular British band since the Beatles.(In Britain anyway, what do Americans know anyway?)

I just picked up this CD. There may be other Toots and the Maytals compilations out there that are more comprehensive, but I LOVE this one. As I said in the title, this wonderful music is JOYOUS. It will put a smile on your face and make you want to dance. God bless Toots and the Maytals.

First let me make a distinction: There's reggae and then there's Marley. Marley is a god, but he is also the king of a breed of music that is entirely his own.

When it comes to pure old-skool, shake-your-rump-Reggae, Toots & The Maytals are the undisputed champions. Their music IS reggae. It's the sound that every other reggae band has tried to duplicate, but has only managed to emulate. Toots, a.k.a. "The Ska Father," makes music that moves you, not spiritually or emotionally, but in raw physical sense. His songs (particularly "54-46" and "Pressure Drop") are just fun!

Recently I had the opportunity to Toots perform live at the TLA in Philly, and I must say that while he may appear aged, he's still a kid at heart. He pours every ounce of energy he's got into his shows. That one concert was the most amazing inn-person musical experience I've ever had. Mid-way through the show he literally invited the audience up onto the stage, where I and everybody who felt the urge cut loose to the band's thumping reggae beats. Toots even took the time between songs to shake every audience member's hand as they climbed down from the stage.

This album is incredible. It's jam packed with 75 minutes of classic riddims; songs maybe you've never heard but have always felt. Taken from the original 8-tracks, the songs (all 24 of them) preserve their antique feel.

An essential album for anyone who loves music that makes you feel good. A classic.

Without a doubt, THE best reggae album of all time!I'll admit being a bit biased about this. I heard it for the first time while vacationing in Jamaica sitting on the beach having a few Red Stripes. We were listening to a local radio program that was featuring the best Jamaican music of the last 40 years. Prince Buster's "Hard Man Fe Dead" comes on and my wife and me were completely blown away. We'd never heard anything like it before or since.Totally original, raunchy,incredible dance tunes that you'll find impossible not to groove to.This cd was hard to find, but well worth the time and money to procure.If you're a reggae fan and have not heard Prince Buster, you are truly missing out on one of the pioneers of the genre, not to mention how cool you're going to be when you put this on at your next party.

If you are looking for some good trad ska, this is what you are looking for! Like I said, the best hits of the best artist, you can't lose! Buy it dammit!

This is one of the best CDs I have ever heard. If you like punk rock, you have to get your hands on this. The selections showcase everything that is good about punk music. To summarize, this record rocks!

Their other records have many good songs; this one doesn't have a low point. One of the most timeless and warm records I know, in any genre, my favorite reggae record, and somebody should be disciplined for letting it go out of print.

okay. just over 10 years ago i was in a small vinyl shop, and i was flipping through the reggae section when i found this jewel. at the time i had never heard of toots and the maytals, but i saw that the horn section had rico rodriguez in it, who i knew from other stuff, particularly the specials. so i figured i'd check it out. plus it was dirt cheap. you have no idea how shocked i was. i just stumbled upon this absolutely amazing record-- a real treasure. every song is perfect-- one of the most enjoyable listening experiences out there. highly, highly recommended.

This is really one of the best reggae albums, played with a lot of spirituality and love. Every song is a gem.

The impression gathered from listening to this collection is that Marley was powerful, creative, and excellent throughout his music career. In this collection is Marley singing and playing with the Wailers, while in his early 20's, this revealing his strong and smooth youthful voice. The mix reveals a minimally remastered collection, some dubbing, in which the Wailers output is clear and strong. Unforgettable hits like "The World is Changing" and "Treat You Right," both sang by Jimmy Norman and "Love" sang by Peter Tosh are rare or absent in other Wailers' collection. No one would ever forget the smooth background/ backup voice of Rita Marley on many of the hits. It is important that this "Rock to Rock" collection involves the
input of the Wailers when they were still largely united, and they churn out soothing hits like "Nice Time," "Mellow Mood," "There She Goes," "How Many Times?," and "Soul Rebel" (original). It is also important that this collection, put out in 1997, contains hits like "Rock to Rock," "Rocking Steady," "Love," "Nice Time," and "What Goes Around, Comes Around" which had not been previously released. All in all, this is a unique and remarkable collection that may not have the exposure it deserves since it contains earlier hits; but one which every Marley fan would be proud to listen to and own.

This is an excellent overlooked Bob Marley album. This album showcases the Wailers with a 22-23 year old Bob Marley from 1968 recordings. Bob had gotten signed by Jad/Koch records, and would be recording new material for both Jamaica and the U.S.. But America wasn't used to reggae, and r&b rhythms so his songs wern't reconized. But don't let that make you feel differently about the album. At the time Marley wanted to be a soul singer, like Otis Redding. And in these recordings, not all may have the reggae feeling you expect. But all the songs are great. The young Bob Marley brings out great young talents and makes every song great. Also two songs on this cd are taken by Peter Tosh. But remember, this is before Bob's international albums, so if your just getting to listen to Bob, you will need to get accustomed to this. This cd is one of Bob's best. And it is digitally remastered with detailed liner notes, and a great quality cd. So don't miss out on a young Bob Marley eager to break through, and it's obvious here how he did. This cd, again, is great.

I haven't heard this album, but the Rude Boys have a album titled: RUDEHOUSE, and it is AWESOME. I don't know whatever happen to them, but I would love to hear some more music from them. If Rude as Ever is as bad as Rudehouse,then this is a winner in my book. And if Gerald Levert or the Rude Boys ever read this, I hope it motivates them to produce more beautiful music. I will always love their music.

I haven't heard this album, but the Rude Boys have a album titled: RUDEHOUSE, and it is AWESOME. I don't know whatever happen to them, but I would love to hear some more music from them. If Rude as Ever is as bad as Rudehouse,then this is a winner in my book. And if Gerald Levert or the Rude Boys ever read this, I hope it motivates them to produce more beautiful music. I will always love their music.

Put this cd on when you are in expectation of a long night full of intimacy with that special someone.Joe Little sets the stage with his sexy silky tenor voice and Buddy Banks takes it to another level with high pitched sensual sounds that flows from his mouth like water in a river that is guarenteed to turn on all the ladies.I happen to know these guys personally and i can truly say everyone needs a copy of this especially for valentines day!