Ska music reviews

Against All Authority's new split with The Criminals, Exchange, is fantastic. The whole CD is hyper and explosive, and is one of AAA's best efforts to date. The new version of "All Fall Down" is wild, and even better than the old one. I hope all up and coming AAA releases are as electric and addictive as this one, because it's simply perfection. The reason I marked it down a star is because the CD's so short, you'll want to listen to more than is on there.

I enjoyed this cd very much especially the AAA songs but the criminals are cool too! i cant wait for 24 roadside resistance!

Falls Apart is the most outstanding track on their album, 14:59. I bought this single bfr i owned any sugar ray's albums and found that i should just keep listening this track and forget 'bout the others! To all the gals out there that impressed by Mark McGrath, here's another reason why u should purchase this single: check out the gorgeous poster!

The 3rd release from their album 14:59. Its more on the heavy side than the other two previously released singles " every morning " and " someday" This track is different. Its got a good rhythem , good beat , it varies from soft to heavy , and also its got some very strong lyrics about life of some sad innocent girl . I like the edited version much better than the main version cuz the edited version has more strings in the background and nice beats. Its that kind of a song which at first wont appeal to first time listeners..but will gradually take a stand in their mind and then attract them. Like a force you wont resist. The instrumental version is fantastic..if you get the lyrics..its a beautiful song to sing when you drive your car. I just love the music . I have to listen to this song once a day. Sugar ray have come along way..and they have a long way to go. With this song..it shows they are also serious mature people. Buy the single thats all i will say in the end. :)

HMM... this is quite an interesting band. It must have been a brave decision to come out with a hard rock dixieland jazz band in the mid 90's. In the days when all the teenage boys were rockin to music with no keyboards or brass, guitar only. If it had anything but bass, drums, guitar, no-one like it. This music might not have been a fave with the girls, either. Although I never realised this was a greatest hits compilation for non-Americans, they could have chosen better material than some of this stuff. A lot of the songs I do get the feeling they haven't tried like SR, Everything sucks, She has a girlfriend now, I want oyur girlfriend to be my girlfriend too, and especially you don't know. One of the best songs here, Somebody hates me, has lyrics that are perhaps a bit too avante Garde and menacing to think highly of, There are four tracks in particular, The set up, Snoop dog baby, She's famous now and Beer that are really good. Not only does the brass section swing with a passion and musicianship not seen in jazz since anything before Charlie Parker, while the rhythm section rock as hard as anything today. There are often good solos from everybody in the band. Actually, they remind me a lot of a 60's badn called the Fortunes. They had a similar arrangement and singing style b4 they went ballady in the 70's. Anyway, Reel big Fish also show off their talent by reprising a vocal group song, take on me, and turn it into a R.B.F. song. It takes a bit of skill and that song has an ace Guitar solo. Rock on!, Fish!

Great premier CD for European Reel Big Fish fans. I bought it solely for an early listen to "A Little Doubt Goes a Long Way" from the new CD, but the whole disc is full of good stuff. I do question why "S.R." made the cut for a 'best of' CD instead of "Thank You For Not Moshing" or "Alternative, Baby". They break the tradition of having "I'm Cool" on every album, too, but who can blame them?
If you don't have both Turn the Radio Off and Why Do They Rock So Hard?, you need this CD.

This fabulous collection gathers together some fine rare recordings from Desmond Dekker's heyday, 1968-1971. During this period, when the kinetic rhythms of Jamaican ska had slowed down to become rocksteady (and eventually reggae), Desmond was enjoying his greatest successes while working with his backing group the Aces (whose membership had gone from a quartet to a duo) and producer Leslie Kong. This disc boasts some wonderful and previously unreleased sides, such as early versions of "Pickney Gal" and "Licking Stick," and alternate takes of "Where Did It Go," "Perserverance," and "Reggae Recipe." Standouts include the cool strut of "Fu Man Chu," the lovely "My Reward," and the joyous "Mother Nature." The majority of these tracks have not been heard since their original Trojan releases, and "Father Noah," from 1971, has never been available prior to this CD. The set closes with an interesting cover of the Coasters' "Yakety Yak." The magic of the era is thankfully captured in these selections, with Desmond and company sounding great. By 1970, he was moving towards a solo career without the Aces, which was unfortunately disrupted by Leslie Kong's fatal heart attack in 1971. Dekker left the Trojan label and didn't experience any major successes again until the ska revival in the early 1980's, which brought renewed interest in his work. There are some outstanding performances included here, and while it's not essential stuff, any fan of Jamaican soul will find it an agreeable choice.

I can not add a lot to the previous review given of this album- it was excellently written, straight to the point, and factual. Nicely done.

For any major league fan of Dekker, as I am, these recordings are invaluable insights into his work and personality. As a historian and anthropologist, I suppose I am always looking for more, digging deeper, trying to find hidden nuggets to answer questions about time, place, and conditions (the who, what, when, where, how, and why's of study)... similarly, as a musical completist, I am very much the same way, looking for alternate takes, unissued works, false starts- anything I can to help fill in gaps or better fill in the pictures of an artist.

Albums like this one help me, and other like minded collectors, to fill in these gaps. I agree with the previous review in that to the average or new Dekker fan, this cd is not essential; but for those of us who are rabid fans, this lp is GOLD.

As always, the tight rocksteady grooves and Dekker's beautiful tenor shine like the sun, and the alternate takes are a perfect compliment to what Dekker has offered in the past. A great insight is gained through this lp, and a wonderful treat, as well.

Having searched for this title and finally finding it I am pleased with my purchase. Formally of Negu Gorriak, Fermin's music has flavor, groove, excitement, and most importantly, intelligence. The style is raga/dub almost ska-ish and the Basque language lyrics (translations come with the insert) are fun listening to. Also check out Mano Negra and Manu Chao.

This is an awesome album by the Basque music pioneer Fermin Muguruza, formerly of the great bands Negu Gorriak and Kortatu.
Fermin has taken a step towards the style of his good friend Manu Chao on this album and it pays off with a style that shares the flavour of Manu's music, while remaining distinct in its own right.

The lyrics are all in the historic Basque language of Euskera, the oldest in Europe, with helpful translations in french, english, and spanish.

This type of music provides a refreshing change from some of the commercial crap being spewed out of the US at the moment, so if your sick of rubbish, try this CD. I did and i haven't regretted it.

I had the pleasure of seeing King Prawn play live with Goldfinger in london right before I bought this cd. I must admit King Prawn sounds much better live than on their cd, but it is still one of my favorite albums. Kinga Prawn started up in 1995 and since then have become one of londons leading bands. They have some great songs, playing in a unique punk/ska style. They have a great combination of guitar, bass, and drums, with the occasional incorporation of a horn. If your a punk fan I strongly suggest you buy this cd.

this cd is the best i have ever bought it is great. It is a mix of all of king prawn's best tracks live from london, top cd buy it now

BOP(harvey) provides an acute social commentary on the world around us. To combine that with a uniquely eclectic combination of musical styles is an incredible feat for a group that hailed from the very homogenous suburbs of the midwest. If this doesn't get you moving and thinking, nothing will.

I have had the distinct pleasure of seeing BOP (harvey) perform live on several occasions, including a friends' wedding in 1992. I almost cried when they disbanded in that same year(?) This was unfortunate because in the World Music theatre the band was only a few years ahead of their time. Had they continued for just a few years, they would have made the big time. Anyway, it is a great disc. I am actually searchng for some of the discs that I don't possess.

The Allstonians combine classic jazz with a slow, second-wave ska style and occasionally throw in some lyrics to boot. Definitely a good album to which you can relax. This is not an up-tempo album, but rather for the refined ear. If you've ever heard of The Articles, then you may want to try out this album. A great study album for students, and a great casual relaxing album for career people.

Allstonians are classic old-style ska at its best. Sure,your best friend said it sounds like Caribbean Polka and the lyrics are corny,but so what!! He listens to local garage bands as if they were Black Flag in their heyday. Best songs on this disc are Jr. G-man,Jackson Mann,and Walkin' in the sand. Buy this disc!!You must buy this disc!!Your girlfriend will think it's romantic.

This CD has old skasters and a variety of new bands on the ska scene. From Unsteady to Undercover SKA this CD gets you moving. Real ska fans only though, some may not appreciate some of the o.g. ska beats.

Unlike volume two this CD is all Ska. I love volume two but this one is ten times as good. All the songs area good and pure ska. Except for the last song wich is rap. but still this CD is worth it. I am in love with this CD. BUY IT if you like Ska music.

I heard/saw the track "Nelson Mandela" on MTV almost twenty years ago. I never heard the song again, but the tune was so infectious and joyous, it stuck in my head after all these years. Thanks to Amazon's search engine, I was able to find out who made this track and listen to it. This song is so beautiful in both it's message and melody it made break out in dance. And, in retrospect, after this song's plea for his release, to know that he not only was freed but triumphantly lead his nation out of darkness and evil, it gives you hope for the rest of this world. Get this album, dance, experience something different, and enjoy.

I completely agree with P. Geyer's prognosis of this CD. At first, I was disappointed, maybe even a little resentful of having blown my hard earned cash on this CD. Rummaging through my collection late at night, I got the sudden urge to check it out one more time. Starting off with "(What I like...) Girlfriend", moving on to "Break Down the Door" and finally "The Lonely Crowd"; it dawned on me that I really had over looked this album.

No surprise to anyone, then, that if you're wanting a follow up, or even an evolution to, "More Specials", then you will be nothing more than disappointed. But if you approach it with an open mind and judge the album on its own merits then you'll get much enjoyment from it.

A real sleeper of a CD.

When I first heard a friend's copy of this album about 15 years ago, I was unimpressed. I wanted to hear something more like The Specials' first album. But this album has an insidious way of getting inside your head. Looked at on its own, this is a brilliant album. It is NOT ska. Rather, it's a fusion of all different world beats, off-beat rhythms, and intelligent musical hooks. The more you listen to this album, the better it gets. You certainly can't say that about most albums.