Ska music reviews

This album is perfect for the first time buyer, specially if you like ska spiced up with other rythms that are not to heavy. (If you want ska-punk this band is not for you).
Funk, Jazz, Swing, and even Dixie beats are sprinkled over without eclipsing the main ska feeling to make a well performed buffet in this album. Dream Express is like nothing you've heard before (track 5), Stepping on the road (track 7) has that funky feeling that reminds you of the good brass ensembles of funk in years gone, before a nerdy computer guy could make music with fake trumpets, trombones, saxes and drums.
Lemon Drops (track 13) makes you feel in Vegas watching a line of Chorus girls if you close your eyes.
If I had to start my collection all over again I would choose this album as my first choice.
A must have if you play baritone sax.

This CD is great. Every song is catchy and smart, and the album as a whole has an awesome feel to it. The production value is very smooth, the musicianship is top notch, and Joe Yerke is singing great!

Bob Andy is known in the main stream for songs like Young Gifted and Black and Pied Piper, those of you who don't know this a a song writer of class and style. He writes conscious lyrics which not many people know about or are familiar with, try the title track of this CD - Fire Burning. Other tracks (not on this album) which should have more recognition are Life and an old Studio One song My Time made more famous by Big Youth, if you don't this man and his songs you should get to know him.

If you're getting into the early Studio One ska sound, I reckon this is the ultimate compilation. I've been going through quite a few early ska/bluebeat compilations, and most are good historically but maybe not so good musically - some tend to get a bit "samey" - metronomic, if you know what I mean. Similar pace, similar arrangements.

But this one is pure gold. It kicks, it jerks, it chugs, it rocks - most of the tracks on this compilation contain that perfect (and hard to find) ska double offbeat that makes the 60's ska sound so deliciously irresistable. The variety is nice too - you'll get the ska brew cooked up using some astounding and enthusiastic arrangements.

Even if you're just scratching the surface of the genre, this is probably the only compilation you'll need. This is Clement Dodd producing ska the way it should be done.

well for starters i loooove the exceptions, they are my 1st love (in ska). and they rule. and if you like the blue meanies you'll love these guys. i 've looked for five finger discount for the longest time. when i finally got it i nearly lost my mind. i especially agree with their messages. "mean ole malley" seems like , to me, it talks about how cops are racist and they are constantly looking for a person that's NOT WHITE to beat down on. in another song "circles" it talks about how "in life there are circles, that we all must go around..." if you just read the lyrics you'd understand what they mean and totaly agree with it. i highly doubt that there is someone out there that thinks life is sunshine and lollypops. but anyways definitely check this out, it'll blow your mind!

After many listens, I've concluded that this is one of the best
cd's I've heard representing Punky/Reggae/Ska in NY in the late
70's/early 80's...

This CD is great for any appreciator of good music, Marley fans especially. Excellent versions of all songs in raw, original form - it always puts me in a chill mood.

Highly recommended!

this cd is great. it puts me in a good mood

this is a awesome cd because its a old old cd by the legendary dj dennis alcapone on legendary riddims and on the legendary label studio 1

From 1971, this Studio One release introduced the rest of the world to Alcapone's part singing, part chanting, part rapping toasting style that made him so loved in Jamaica.

The tracks are top rate, showcasing Alcapone's emerging style. There certainly are moments in his delivery where he blatently copies U-Roy's famous little screams and hiccups, but he can't be blamed for that- many of the toasters today also copy U-Roy, so why shouldn't Alcapone?

Of interest to collectors will be the "Dancing Version," (Written by Bunny Wailer) featuring the Wailers, who do a nice job backing up Alcapone on this track- one which Wailer revisits as "Dancing Dub" on his great "Dubd'sco" lp in 1978.

Overall, this lp rules the toasting roost, and is a super introduction to both Alcapone, but to the toasting style, as well. A must have.

Just look at the tracks! I have never seen such a great line up of bands on one cd before. How did they do it?

Best purchase I have made in a long time.

this lp is great i used to listen to this every day from the time i was 15. positive social statements and good music made me search three years to find a new copy. a must have.

this lp is great i used to listen to this every day from the time i was 15. positive social statements and good music made me search three years to find a new copy. a must have.