Ska music reviews

An overlooked, underated, seminal landmark of an album, not only for the Wailers but for Reggae in general. The production (Lee Perry), musical, and vocal arrangements on this album were groundbreaking. The Wailers experimented in ways they had not done before or after. Unique, original, raw, and stripped down. If you think "Legend" is the best the Wailers had to offer then this may not be your cup of tea. But if you're a budding Wailers/Reggae fan looking to expand your horizons this would be essential for your collection.

Here is a real band, with a certain spark, a tautness that seems to be lacking from the mature Wailers, and from 70's reggae in general. I find their very next release, African Herbsman, already considerably less exciting. This is one of the tightest, freakiest rhythm-section recordings I've ever heard. Always that behind-the-beat feeling, but even at its most laid-back it reminds me of James Brown or something in its supple, effortless complexity, the alert sensitivity of each musician. Listen to the bass lines too closely and you are at risk of seizure. Staccatto organ and plucky, out-of-tune guitars fill out the chords, but the star of the music is the percussion. There seems to be a second guitarist who does nothing but scratch his instrument like a washboard. And the loudest thing in nearly every mix is the shaker, yes the shaker, three times louder than the vocals, which is the kind of pleasurable eccentricity you expect from a Lee Perry production.

Then there are the songs, which are great, still showing a direct influence from American R&B (there's a cover of "Try Me"), and he doesn't seem to be preaching about Jah all time, or maybe he is, but I can't understand a word of the delightfully thick dialect. The Wailers' all-male, falsetto backups have a humor to them, like singing forest animals in an old cartoon. You will recognize several of the songs ("Soul Rebel", "Duppy Conqueror", "Corner Stone", "400 Years", "Soul Almighty") from later versions, re-recorded for the U.S. market. Predictably, the versions here are far fresher.

These tracks were recorded in 1970 and originally released in '74 under the name Soul Rebel - not to be confused with a later collection called Soul Rebels - and I believe there's something else out there called Rasta Revolution - but don't be led astray, this is the one that begins with the song 'Mr. Brown'. Available domestically now, for the first time ever! I'm curious to hear the 2-disc set called Rebel Revolution, which apparently offers extended mixes of these songs and others from the same period.

This album contains a few of my all-time favorite Bob Marley and the Wailers singles- Concrete Jungle, Kinky Reggae and Rainbow Country, which I've only found on one other album of theirs and which is missing.

Their music is deceptive: some of the happiest sounding songs are raging social and racial commentary, like "Small Axe" (not on this album). You're drawn by the beats and stay for the message.

I received this CD as a gift many years ago. I thought it was great then, and I still think it is great now. I like every track and I've listened to it countless times. The songs aren't really flashy, but they make you feel good. If you want a nice introduction to Bob Marley, and you already have Legend, then pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.

This album contains a few of my all-time favorite Bob Marley and the Wailers singles- Concrete Jungle, Kinky Reggae and Rainbow Country, which I've only found on one other album of theirs and which is missing.

Their music is deceptive: some of the happiest sounding songs are raging social and racial commentary, like "Small Axe" (not on this album). You're drawn by the beats and stay for the message.

I received this CD as a gift many years ago. I thought it was great then, and I still think it is great now. I like every track and I've listened to it countless times. The songs aren't really flashy, but they make you feel good. If you want a nice introduction to Bob Marley, and you already have Legend, then pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.

This is "taking it back to the old school" here. These songs from reggae's Ska era are quite vibrant and enjoyable. Laurel Aitken's "Judgement Day" was one of the earliest indigenous Jamaican hits which was quite controversial due to it's somewhat rasta-oriented lyrics. "Chubby" is of historical interest as it features genuine Rasta-style drumming in one of it's earliest-known recordings. The lovely "Oil in My Lamp" is actually an old Jamiacan revival tune souped-up for sound-system dances. But the real "scorcher" is the Maytals jump-up classic "Jamaica Ska"(also variously known as "Dog War" and "Broadway Jungle"). Something is WRONG with you if you can sit still while listening to this tune in particular. A few clinkers are in the mix, but overall, this is a worthwhile purchase. Much of it represents the optimism of the early days of Jamaican independence.

Roots of Reggae is a sure-fire dance party record! many of these scorching Ska tracks are rarities and were not widely released in America. the track "Rude, Rude, Rudie" is a shining example of Instrumental Ska, the rhythm section swinging that pulsing Ska beat and some prime toasting over the top to boot. "We two happy people" is a wonderful example of early Ska vocals, with Stranger and Patsy producing a wonderful blend while the band chugs on. Every track is on Roots of Reggae is a milestone in Ska history, making it a record every music lover should pick up. As Dennis Alcapone says, "Rent a tile, stay for awhile". Do that with Roots of Reggae, and enjoy. -James Trent

this album is punk surf ska and reggae it just makes u want to go get a surf board and go to cali

ur way to a store and buy it.

Kemuri has always been a "beacon of quality" in the ska world. When other bands sing about chicks and beer, Kemuri sings about peace, happiness, and PMA (positive mental attitude.) This cd, unfortunately, cannot quite measure up to their debut "Little Playmate." However, there are very, very few cds that can. Taken for what it is, this is an excellent release. Fumio Ito's lyrics are again top-notch. The songs, especially Kirisame and Falling Down, are skankable indeed. And then there are incredible masterpieces, including Oneday and In the Perfect Silence. Kemuri fans, get this, but, to all who are just getting into them, start with Little Playmate.

Kemuri is back with what it does best: catchy japanese ska punk with great horns and upbeat lyrics. If you loved Kemuri's other two albums (Little Playmate and 77 Days), you'll definately love this one too. If you haven't heard Kemuri yet, they're similiar to bands like Less Than Jake, Skankin Pickle, Slapstick, and fellow Japanese skapunk rockers, Potshot. My only complaint is that all of the linear notes are in japanese, whereas on all of the past albums they've been in english. Oh well, at least the music is great.

This is the best collection I've seen too lock in a strong collection of 2nd Wave Ska. It's all strong stuff. The draw back is if you alreadly own a lot of varity Ska CD's your going to get a LOT of duplication. I figure I alreadly have 1/3 to 1/2 the tracks on this collection in other Ska CD such as Ska-ville UK, SKAndalous, Dance Craze, Ska Down with Her and Runin Naked thru the Cornfield. Not to mention the orginal albums. But at the price who can knock 64 tracks and close to 4 hours of skanking Ska. This is your best buy if your new to Ska and not a bad buy if your a serious collector.

This really is a great deal. It's 4 16-track discs of killer ska from some classic bands, and at a good price. This is the real deal too, it's not what passes for ska today (Reel Big Fish), but the good stuff from the 70's and 80's. It's the best collection I've seen since the "Max The Dog Says, Do The Ska" album. If you're into groups like "Judge Dread", "The Hotknives", "The Riffs", "Natural Rhythm", and "Bad Manners", then this set was made for you. Also, one of the discs is all live.

a classic album. full of catchy guitar riffs and bass lines. 8/10

mixtwitch -- amazing ska band from dublin, buy everything they got

Jealous Sound is on this. They are a good band.

But their EP is cheaper than this.

Solution? Skip this and buy Jealous Sound EP.

If your thinking about buying this cd because of some of the big names on here such as Blink 182, Lit, or Goldfinger, go ahead. That's the reason I bought it. There are also some other really cool bands on here like Fenix TX, Bad Religon, Less Than Jake, Reel big Fish, and MXPX. But after listening to it, I noticed some really good bands that I had never heard of like Midtown, Weston, and Jealous Sound, all of which provide awesome songs that I don't have skip over while listening. This cd isn't a total punk rock/ska compilation, it also has smooth tunes by The Surfers, Paul and Laura, and Venice Beach Club. Then it adds some hip-hop with Ozomalti, David Holmes, Ugly Duckling, DJ Z-trip featuring That Kid Named Miles, and Styles of the Beyond. To sum it up: no matter what kind of music you like, you'll probably get it from The Solution To Benefit Heal The Bay. Definitly a must have.

Theme for a Major Hit is the second full length album from Chicago based rockers Hot Stove Jimmy. On this album the band ventures off into the land of rock while still maintaining their ska-punk roots. Front man Matt Irie (of the Mustace Diaries) drenches the album with energy and a clever viewpoint on everyday life. He even manages to make a song about a dog ("Foxy") witty and fun. Having seen many of their live shows I can say that Theme For a Major Hit is the band's best work to date. My favorites are "Sweetheart", "Good Dresser", and "Her Name In Lights", but there isn't a song on the album that I don't like.

Ska is a pretty weak genre. I have never been a band guy, and loud noisy brass instruments are not my ideal part of a band, but every once in a while a really good ska bands comes along. I'm not talking about Less Than Jake or Catch 22, two average bands that really lack the edge to make them great.

What makes Hot Stove Jimmy so good is the underlying edge that the band has. These are a bunch of punk rockers that play ska. Every single song has an underlying level of tension, generated from the vocals and the horns, and it works out amazingly. At times, with bands like Less Than Jake, it almost feels like the horns and vocals are there to soften the music. Not with Hot Stove Jimmy. Hot Stove Jimmy are pure to themselves, they are pure to the music they are playing, and they are pure to the genre.

Theme For A Major hit is dripping with emotion, power, and skank. Not only do the horns compliment the music, but they help drive it. Along with the horns and the vocals and the rest of the band is the organ sound going in the background of several of the songs. It gives the music a very urban feel.

Honestly, I don't know as much about Ska as I do other genres of music. I've listened to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Catch 22, The Voodoo Glow Skulls, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and a couple bands that blend the sounds of Ska into their Punk. None of those bands come close to matching the edge of Hot Stove Jimmy's Theme For A Major Hit. This is my defining Ska album, and I think this is an excellent album if you are looking for a CD to represent the Ska genre.

This CD is beyond worthy of any Ska fan's collection.

well to tell the truth this is there 3rd cd not there second as the other person has said. There 1st cd was called take your time good luck in finding it as its hard to find. This cd has no floors in my eyes i've had it for over 4 years now and still as good now as then if you like the blue meanies buy this but this is a little heavyer and darker than the other 2 but its still good sadly if think the band has split now