Ska music reviews

Following the success of their 2000 release of fifteen new recordings titled "Skinhead Girl", The Specials lastest LP, "Conquering Ruler", is another post-era ska/reggae beat sensation that includes fifteen new renditions from some of yesteryear's best. All the original artist first popularized these songs during the early explosion of rock steady, reggae, and ska in Jamaica during the 1960s and 70s (with at least one track a 1980's original). It's been some 20 years plus since Roddy Radiation and Neville Staples ignited the Specials into the British ska scene as a ska/reggae/punk phenomenon. Now, once more, they've unleashed their musical brilliance, adding instrumental and lyrical depth and vibrancy to enrich these ageless classics. Songs on the LP include "I Don't Need Your Love Anymore", a tempo delicious beat with swing and plenty of flava, originally recorded by Dobby Dobson. Neville once again transcends to lyrical new heights with the rock-steady pulse of "Salvation Train" (popularized by David Scott in the late 60s), the socio-political intensity of Derrick Morgan's "Conquering Ruler", and the deep vocal reggae sentimentality of "I am a Madman", composed originally by the legend, Lee "Scratch" Perry. The second track on the LP is invigoratingly fun, fast and inviting, a rhythmic, horn-driven, ska meltdown--a definite dance-inducer. However, not being familiar with the original version, I am not sure on the exact title, because on the back of the CD the song is listed as "Tom Drunk", but the insert calls it "Number One". Got me! Though eventually I'll find out. Other notables on the LP include renditions of Dave & Ansel Collins' "Double Barrel", the soulful tranquilty of Jackie Edward's "Take Me As I Am", and the smooth elation of Clancy Eccles' "Promises". And not to discredit the Upsetters, but the Special's version of "Return of Django" comes harmoniously alive with Justin Dodsworth on keyboard. This album thrives with full-throttle merriment, tonal warmth, and an expressive brass trio made up of trombonist Steve Holdway, trumpeter Paul Daleman, and Leigh Malin on tenor sax. All serious Special's fans need to obtain "Conquering Rebel" and "Skinhead Girl" in order to appreciate these reunions of musical retrospection.

This album is amazing, but it has some really bad recording quality. But if you're really into pollen you'll just see through it. Bob Hoag is a great songwriter and drummer on this. Pollen uses the same awesome weird music all over the place method as ALL/Descendents use today and if you put it in a blender with The Get Up Kids you'll get this amazingly talented band Pollen. So, if you've heard "Chip" and "Peachtree", but still don't own this give this one a try. The first record is really worth having if you'll enjoy this. ROCK!

Have you ever heard a CD that so accurately reflects your moods that it changes with them? Lying motionless in the middle of the floor, letting the melodies and percussion swirl right through you.....Tip-toe motion, spinning and flailing because only the music matters. It is lilting, blissful, soulful, serene, dance music and at once meaningful.

Undeniably genius...

Very few bands today can really capture the authenticity of true 60's Jamaican ska. The Ska Flames have been able to take a slot as being one of those bands. Many people today who hear of ska think that it is a music that originated in the U.S. or England. In fact, it originated in Jamaica. For over ten years now, the ska flames have been playing to crowds in Japan and in England tearing the crowds up with their horn driven intrumental ska. In the most recent release from the Ska Flames entitled "Damn Good" the band is joined by a few pioneers of Jamaican ska. Roland Alphonso and Lester Sterling two of the lead saxophonists of the Skatalites, the band credited with inventing ska, join the Ska Flames on a few numbers. Also appearing on the record is Laurel Aitken, one of the most famous jamaican ska singers of the sixties. The Ska Flames are an 11 man band including a five man horn section. This is rarely seen in modern day ska bands. There is not a poor number in the entire record and is completely worth the price. It is a journey of powerful and stomping authentic ska.

Almost every time I am dj-ing at private parties I put on "Big Bamboo" by Lord Creator, and keep getting questions from where the hell I always know such great music. Apart from this caribian pre-ska I have other favourites like Lee Perry's early "Doctor Dick" with the female background voices singing "uh uh, doctor, give me an injection", the muddled family relations of "Shame & Scandal" ("your daddy's not your daddy, but your daddy don't know"), a great ska version of "Bonanza", the title track, and so on. In listening to this anthology you can hear the raw power of this music from beginning to end. It's one of the best things you can say about a record that you still listen to it after years.

i always have loved two-tone, and this is simply the best. get it, or you will be sorry. i love the international beat!

i always have loved two-tone, and this is simply the best. get it, or you will be sorry. i love the international beat!

Out of over 400 Ska CDs, I'm always finding myself playing this one quite a lot. I am a big fan of traditional Ska revival, and I enjoy bands such as Hepcat, The Stubborn All-Stars, The Slackers, Jump With Joey, etc., but what makes Dr. Ring Ding + The Senior All-Stars so good is that they not only delve into regular Ska revival, but into all forms of Caribbean music, ranging from reggae to Rocksteady to Calypso and swing. Each song is nearly completely different from each other (mostly to a Ska expert like me).
The band itself is also quite extraordinary. Richie Senior is the best German Ska trombonist I've ever heard, and his band is so well organized. Crisp, refreshing horns line each track, and the rhythm band isn't bad, either. Of all the German Ska bands, no, of ALL the Ska bands I've listened to, Dr. Ring Ding is one of my favorites.

'Dandimite Ska' is a great little Ska piece with some nice solos.
'Big Man' is a nice little Ska number in the big band style.
'Save Bread/Save A Toast' is 'The 60s meets the 90s', where the group covers a Justin Hinds Rocksteady classic, and ends it with some ragga toastin' (which is the best toastin' I've heard from a fat, white, German man).
'(Want Me) Money Back' is an amusing little Calypso number.
'Bellevue Asylum', a tribute to the great Don Drummond, is a melancholy reggae number, and a touching one at that.
'What A Day' is a Stranger Cole cover. I love Stranger Cole, and this skanktacular Ska tune pays great tribute to him.
'Green Pepper': as the liner notes say, 'If this doesn't get you skankin', check your pulse...'.
'Rudeboy Style' is mainly the Doc toasting over a reggae rhythm. The constant tongue trilling is a little distracting, but it still remains a pretty good track.
'Knocking On My Door' is a knockout Ska number with Derrick Morgan'.
'Got My Boogaloo' is a great song, tracing back to the roots of Ska: an R+B track with a Caribbean feel. How come Ska bands nowadays don't do this?
'Gloria' is a nice little Ska tune.
'One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer' has a certain something, which I can't put my finger on, but it has a fun, islandy feel, that's for sure.
'Latin Goes Ska': covering the Skatalites is something very few can pull off, but doggone it, the Doc manages to make it work.
'Stay Out Late' is a Lord Creator cover, which is good, but still danceable.
'Free Spirit' is a dub of 'Bellevue Asylum'.
'Top Notch Version': I can't remember if this was a dub version of 'One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer', since I don't have the CD with me right now...
'Man In The Street': covering TWO Skatalites songs? Especially one showcasing the great Don Drummond? Well, the Doc is crazy enough to do so, and while he may not be better than Don, he's a worthy opponent.

Overall, 'Dandimite' is one hell of an album, and if you love traditional Ska revival, then for God's sake, pick this baby up!

Ska Masta Skibble.

This Cd rolls right along. Some of the best ska I've ever heard. If you want to get into a mellow mood, this is the CD.

The first time I heard the band, I saw the music video for "Halfway There" forever solidifying my addiction to this band. Buy this cd I think it's great.

The InCiters' sound blasts forth like Wilson Pickett's earth-shattering caterwaul; an unwavering testament to the world (and beyond) that soul music out lasts the tempo of time. Rising from the ashes of the early 80's post-punk mod scene, the birth of The InCiters is the brainchild of the members of Santa Cruz soul outfit Durango 95. With the intention of infusing the modern music world with 60s horn propelled, vocally driven Northern Soul.

"Doing Fine" is The Inciters second album and features some great original tracks along side some fantasic covers like "Lay This Burden Down", "Magic Touch" and my favourite "Lean On Me" which was originally an indie hit for the Redskins. This album is a must for any lovers of Northern Soul.

The Inciters are locally well-known around San Francisco and won the WHAMMY award for best Soul band this year, so many of us were just waiting for the first CD release. Doin' Fine is a great debut, ranging from the rocking first cut "Manifesto" with the guitar driving, through a dozen more big band combinations of vocals and horns that keep you up on your feet. The Temptations of 2K!