Ska music reviews

MU330 is sort of an anomaly, for me at least. I am not one to usually champion live CDs of any kind. A band has to have paid some *serious* dues to earn one. The best ones come posthumously, as a sort of living tribute [see the Smoking Popes live disc for proof]. But lately, it seems like every band thinks they have achieved the right to put out a live CD, and frankly, the market is getting flooded, especially in independant music. I'm personally blaming Pearl Jam for encouraging their fans' gluttony, but regardless. In the past year, I can think of the following bands that have put out live CDs: Braid, Smoking Popes, Dance Hall Crashers, The Slackers, Blink-182, Sunny Day Real Estate, Jawbreaker, Apples In Stereo, Built To Spill, The Clash, the list goes on and on [and I'm sure there are more waiting in the wings]. Most of those releases seem to exist for no notable purpose except to bolster sales of their back catalogue or to get something out there to make a few more dollars. MU330 are certainly an exception to this rule. Since their inception in 1988, they have played over 1300 shows and are still going strong, even after a few lineup changes. They are dedicated to their craft, if nothing else, and this is a good souvenir of the first 13 years for the band and fans alike. The breakdown of songs is as follows:
Press - 2
Chumps On Parade - 5
Crab Rangoon - 7
Self-Titled - 4
Comp/7" tracks - 0
So while MU330 Does still play their older material for the fans, it is obvious they enjoy their newer material for themselves, as well, making this live CD being something that will please almost anybody. This CD makes me regret my decision last year to sell "Press" and "Crab Rangoon," as this stuff actually isn't half bad, and I am not normally one to go wild over ska nowadays. If you've ever been a fan of MU330, you'll need to own this. If you've only heard a few songs, this is a veritable "Greatest Hits" package complete with crowd interaction, so you can't go wrong there. Let's see if MU330 can make it 1300 more shows...

Now, I'm not THAT big a fan of live albums. I only buy live albums of my favorite bands, and, as of now, those include Big Drill Car, The Mighty Mighty BossToneS, and Bad Manners, plus a Busters one I unintentionally ordered from a lot off eBay. And now, adding to the ranks of pure, livey goodness is Mu330.
I've seen Mu330 live twice, and this album somewhat lives up to their live excitement. And, as most live albums usually make them, the tunes are much faster and poppier, most notably 'Stuff'.
Unlike my other Mu330 reviews, there's not much I can say about this. It's good to hear all your old Mu-favorites over again, but this time, newer. Whee. If you're an Mu330 fan, then obviously you already have it. But if you don't, then buy it, dammit.

mu330 is the best live band ever, and this album does a great job of capturing their stage performance. if you have ever seen them live, you know what i mean. i totally get lost in this cd, because it reminds me of being at the galaxy in st. louis and just rockin out.

this cd is heavy on the ROK and light on the talk... dan only speaks when it is necessary or when their is something clever to be said. there are great versions of some great songs, including the usual sing-along with LA, my favorite mu song STUFF, awesome live version of IRELAND, and so much more. track 16 they do TUNE ME OUT, and dan's words at the beginning make me a little teary.

these guys are the best band ever, and this is quite possibly their best album. even the liner notes are awesome. they list the more than 1300 shows in the band's history, and looking through it really takes me back. if you only buy one more cd ever, buy this one.

Well, to be quite honest, I haven't heard this album....or any of their CD's.... But i've heard them live! The Robustos are really awesome and their singer has a really beautiful voice. A great match for this band would be Issac Green and the Skalars.

Furthermore, since I haven't heard the album, i can't really judge 'it' that well...hence, the 3 stars. But as far as actually hearing them live, they deserve the full 5!

Check it out - it is old school, with a little big band, a little jazz - it's amazingly classy, with great tunes. A MUST! One of the top10 in my 200something ska-cd collection!

This is a totally essential album for any self-respecting ska fan, or for anyone with the ability to hear . I haven't taken this cd outta my cd player since I bought it 3 weeks ago. After you buy it, go check out the Robustos live, they are way too awesome.

Not as poppy or catchy as their older stuff, but definitely better thought out. It's great that the band tried a few new things. A few tracks could have been b-sides. A slightly shorter tracklist would have made it an easier listen.

great cd, however compared to the earlier stuff it could be better, i love the bosstones. they need more publicity or possibly a tour with ltj. back in the day

Okay, these guys can NEVER EVER put out a bad record! I bought the normal US version, and then a friend of mine who lives in Australia mentioned that his cd had extra tracks on it! Well, I shelled out the extra bucks to get the two extra songs, but boy are they worth it! I love "Together" and "Just As Much"! They are true BossToneS songs worthy of repeated playing! I must listen to each of them at least 5 times a day! :) Then again, when you love the 'Tones as much as I do... Anyway, this import is worth the extra money! Mighty Mighty BossToneS rule!

David Hillyard & the Rocksteady 7 is one of those obscure discs that will be a treat to uncover. They formed to create a fusion between Jamaican music, ska & jazz; and the hybrid bubbles with energy and excitement. Two instrumentals capture the imagination. The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood" because it is a familiar tune given a totally new twist as a reggae jazz blast that is excellent. My other favorite is "Skavez" with its Cuban rhythms of piano mixed with a reggae beat. "Hillyard Street" sounds like a soul version of a Ramsey Lewis track. Eddie Ocampo of the reggae band Insteps does some fancy drum work on the driving "Father & Son." The title track is like a Jamaican Duke Ellington. "Ugly Man Blues" has a zany urgency combined with a Peter Gunn like theme. "Playtime" is a mostly instrumental explosion. Seek & you shall find! Enjoy!

David Hillyard is among main forces behind the Slackers, Hepcat, Stubborn Allstars, and many others. Listening his tenor gives you a certain chill, because it has a beautiful melody. This album is highly sophisticated. The high quality of his tenor line has been already demonstrated to us by the Slackers' instrumental tunes like "Sauron," "Cooking For Tommy," and "Old Days." His instrumentation is very smooth and attractive. It has been passed almost 6 years after the release of this album, but "Playtime" remains to be one of the influential works in the realm of rocksteady. Stand-out tracks include "Hillyard Street," "Father and Son," (my favorite one!), and "Sidney's Ghost." If you love any tenor lines of the Slackers, this CD is highly recommended. No regret will be given. As summer is nearby us, this music would be a perfect inauguration for good weather, and a good bye to miserable winter. Finally, this is another solid release by Hellcat Rec.

It's one of those albums with a vibe, you know? A color you hear when you listen to it, an album that will go good with a certian mood or day. An album you may forget about for a little while then listen to it again and think, "man i dig this cd." And not only does it contain a Beatles cover that is actually good (which is very very rare), which really got my attention, but the whole of the cd is great.

Also, praise hepcat.

i like the message a lot, cause Asian Man's one of my fav. labels. But from a music stand point, some songs aren't as good as others, which drags the cd down. The slow gherkin song,"tap dancing", which i havent seen or heard before, has some bad recording. non-ska or punk songs are present as well; Astropop3's "So happy" (whos song is almost too catchy), Polysics "Hot stuff"(sorta punk, but with electronics thrown in, the coolest song on the cd), Pushover "Tell me why"(not really ska or punk, but sorta). The best tracks are: Skankin pickle- "pabu boy", Link 80's "intolerance", and many many more. With the addition of Suburban Home Records atht the end, this is still well worth your [money].

When I bought Plea for Peace ... it turned out to be one of the best albums i have. it is a great value, has a great message and has great songs on it.

Mike Park and the staff of Asian Man Records have another wonderful compilation of punk/ska bands to get you thinking. This album is a benifit for various ant-racist organizations. It has many great bands, and had a tour named after it. This is probably the best compilation to benifit and recognize all people against hate groups of all kinds.

The Ziggens have created their very own genre of music. This disc is made up of smooth riffs and a little steel guitar. For any one in the midwest they are similar in style to the Gear Daddies. That those lighthearted lyrics,and are a good party favorate.

The Ziggens are four wierdly exotic transposed kooks. Forcibly banished from their home in the Centauri Sector they grace us here with their orchestral stew of 60's surfer music, 40's swing, the Doors, a splash of Country, a Dash of Nuke Rock and all held together with Centaurian Chaos. this is the only msic that is also a conversation piece. the Leaders uncontrolled manic guitar abuse has brought him raised eyebrows from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Musical Instruments.

This CD has a lot of very upbeat songs that are about surfing.This is good because for the people my age this is all we listen to, upbeat songs.Another good thing is that it is not parental advisery so my parents and other parents will let me and kids get it.

Just one remark on this set.
Great to get an overview on Jamaican reggae but some big guys are
missing LKJ, Israel Vibration anf off course Lee "Scrtach" Perry.
So I would say: GOOD bur NOT ENOUGH

An incredible follow-up to last year's equally delicious Funk Box. The fact that there is an entire disc of early ska/rocksteady was good enough for me to buy this. All 4 discs are perfect, non stop party music that everyone will enjoy. The packaging is stunning (you'll see what I mean the second you open it), the essays are very informative and well thought out and the track-by-track annotations tell the whole story. Everyone is on here (and although there is no solo Peter Tosh, he is in the Wailers who have 2 songs on Disc 2). So this is standing next to my Funk Box now (which you should pick up if you haven't already). Beautiful box. #1 X-mas present to all my friends and family this year. This box does indeed acquaint you with the "Routes of Jamaican Music." Buy this yesterday!! Rated A+ (5 STARS IN TOWER'S PULSE MAGAZINE THIS MONTH!). Jah Rastafari! This box has made the I-Man Irie! Peace-Jah Lion!

This is an awesome 4-CD-Set chock full of rarities going back to the early '60s up to the present...hardbound book featuring the history of "Jamaican Music"...more popular today spreading the genre through words and music gathering new listeners and fans along the way.

Total: four-CD-Set ~ Universal/Hip-O/Island 314-560-929-2 ~ (2001)

This album is pretty good. Although Caz's (the lead vocalist) voice can get on my nerves at times when she kind of reaches for the notes with her stomach and it sounds like a kind of bellowing sound - it's strange, but some people like it - some people don't. I am one that doesn't. This ranting noise is not found in every song though, which makes "Darling Boy" one of my favorites... it is a really nice song. The Checkered Cabs have paved the way for other female-led ska bands such as the Dance Hall Crashers, One-Eighty (180), Metro Stylee, The Usuals, & various other talented female-led ska(/punk) bands. Hopefully the Checkered Cabs can keep up the great work and make it big...

Great debue CD. I love Ska and own around 150 Ska CD's, this one goes near the top of the list of my favorates. Great vocals, good orginal material, and wonderful covers. I couldn't beleive it when I was really getting off on "La Bamba." There is a strong lating/Cuban flavor to a lot of this and it really worked. I can't wait for more.

This album is excellent! I'm so impressed with the band's sound in the studio! On stage, The Checkered Cabs are great and now, they've proved to be great on albums, too! I definitely recommend this CD... Caz's vocals are beautiful and along with the up-beat horns, guitar, and percussion, it's obvious that this band is going to make it big!!!

Heartbeat has a consistently good collection of essential studio one masters. This is a part of it. But its not the most consistent of them all. Easily, Hit Bound, the Revolutionary Sound of Channel One on Heartbeat is the best, followed by The Best of Studio One, v.1, are the two most accessible. Also look for Studio One masters of your favorite artists on Heartbeat, such as Johnny Osbourne and Sugar Minott, and you wont be disappointed.

If you don't know much about the music which came out of this famous studio then this CD is the one for you. It serves up the cream of the recordings from Clement Coxsone Dodd's studio which was called Studio One of course. Studio One is now a catch all phrase for music that was recorded at this studio during the early to mid sixties. There is a distinctive beat to this era, when music was real ie real instruments and real musicians, if you listen with headphones you'll hear the different instruments horns, drums, and harmonies of the backing singers, who says reggae is boring!

A five star album.

Respect to Studio One is a compilation of old school reggae and ska that will shake what yo' mamma gave you! From young Marley to Lee "Scratch" Perry, this CD has it all. Every time I play Respect to Studio One for my friends, everyone wants to borrow it. Yeah, I don't think so, I will never get it back!

These guys dont even play ska. These guys play bad reggae and they call it ska because they're white. These guys came to my college and were total tools. They showed up like 7 hours early and walked around campus looking for weed. Shouldn't a bad reggae band have their own bud? These guys are nerds. I got on stage when they were playing and they just stood there and looked at me. I even tried to give them high 5's and they didnt do anything. This was at a college field festival! I was wasted and had no shirt on and was covered in mud and beer. They should really lighten up if they're going to just play bad reggae that students kind of like when they're wasted. Come on now.

As one of the seminal bands of the 90's ska movement still doing it (only the Slackers and Toasters come immediately to mind as producing contemporaries), the Pietasters are deserving of the ska/alternative music fan's respect. While their biggest hit ("Out All Night" from 1996's Willis on Hell-Cat Records) is not included in this collection, some of their best-loved song are, including "Maggie Mae," "Girl, Take it Easy," "Drinking and Driving," and "Dollar Bill."

Comprising all of the recorded material by the Pietasters between the formative years of 1992 and 1996, this collection shows the maturation and development of a band and its unique style. We see a bridge between their early ska style into their more-celebrate ska/soul hybrid that has made them worthy of being James Brown's backup band.

While the negatives are few, it is especially distressing to see that some of the between-song chatter from the Strapped Live album is missing. Lead singer Steve Jackson's rapport with the crowd was one of the crown jewels of the live record, and it's said to see that some of that was stripped away for this collection.

Overall however, this is a worthy purchase, if only because so much of the material isn't available anywhere else. Certainly, Moon Ska Records will not be producing anymore copies of Oolooloo or Strapped Live anytime soon, and while Comply and Piestomp were repressed a few years ago, there is no guarantee they will be released again.

OK, first of all, let me tell you that E. Stanchfield (see first review written) is an idiot. Ska isn't about being angry---ska is about having fun. I started listening to music like this several years ago and have not listened to any other genre since. I do not actually own this product, (I'm purchasing it soon) but know that the Pietasters are awesome, and anyone who insults them deserves to be deported to Guam. Now, of those of you looking to buy 1992-1996, let me tell you that it is a great buy. The Pietasters have great beats and melodies, and even if you like faster, ska/punk stuff, at least listen to this record. I guarantee that you'll like it.