There is this new 6-track ep by this amazing new group from Washington D.C. which proofs that their homebase was and is a good place to bring out great ska and rocksteady music. With their selftitled debute they argue for an urgent renaissance of the warm sounds of tradska, early reggae and especially rock steady, like it is actually preformed by some great bands. Caz And The Day Laborers are definitely one out of them, even if they are new on the bill. Most exciting thing of this sound is th...

The old hands of german and german-speaking skapunk are back on the list with their brandnew album Pauli. Lots of hard rocking guitars are on it, correspondending with the social motivated lyrics, dedicated to the sound of the 18 year old band from Hamburg. They got fun to use their experience and set everything into their actual sound, what they can. And it still comes right out of the stomach, direct from their heart. Lots of music to dance by, cry by, push by, pull by and whatever you want...

Having just zipped up the suitcase for an expedition that promised a double dose of Culture ‘live in concert’, the news came through that Joe Hill – the centrepiece of the group’s vocal trio – had dropped dead in Berlin. And so six years later, along with legions of lovers of roots reggae, I was given good cause for celebration by the recent release by VP Records of a compilation of the band’s finest works. The double CD is comprised of a whopping 38 tracks...

They are often described as the „Swiss Seed“, but this is far too simplistic. Open Season prove with their new publication „Louder!“, that they have much more to offer than to ride on the waves of jamaican music in the shadow of the Seed. No – quite the contrary - they play experienced along the complete reggae history and demonstrate more independence than ever before. There are dancehall experiments („Turn Up The Vo...

Inspired by the American philosopher Campbell and his book „The Hero With A Thousand Faces“ Yellow Umbrella present their eighth cd since its establishment in 1994. The formation around mastermind Jens Strohschneider continues to focus on the successful mix of Ska, Rock Steady, Reggae and Dance Hall, with some stylistic excursions in the direction jazz, rock`n`roll or eastern european folk music. Successful producer Victor Rice (e.g. Th...

Simple - easy - good! There won`t be more to write about the album of Frau Doktor actually, if there wasn`t their farewell tour recently. Yes, it`s right, Frau Doktor is not anymore. They said „Goodbye and thank you!“ and turned there back on us. For the hours of grief and to make it easier to say goodbye, the ten men from Wiesbaden still pressed their best times on vinyl and added some consolations. A new version of „Alte Mä...

Desorden Público, are a skand band from Venezuela, founded in 1985 by singer / guitarist Horacio Blanco and bassist José Luis Chacín. Numerous gold and platinum awards evidence the tremendous success with their more than ten albums. The full blown „public disorder“ started in the mid 80s, influenced by the British Specials and spreads all over America. Hallmark of the band with nine members, who are one of the found...

Antwerp has become the adopted home of Mark Foggo, who presents the current cd of the band Babayaga on his label. With a new lineup on bass the septet by singer / keyboardist Hannes Werhan recorded 13 tracks with the help of producer Jürgen Block. From „I Am A Train“ to „Sommaw Aso“ the positive development of the band, compared with their previous albums, „Only Time Rhythm? „(2001) and „Hot“ (20...

The U.S. sextett around organist Roger Rivas, who is even still active with The Aggrolites, presents on “Sweet Misery” a convincing mix of Chicago soul and early reggae, clearly inspired by the early Pama-Productions. With “Chrystal Necklace”, “Canyon City Life” and “Her Nature” there is definitely more than one potential hit on the album. Who previously just knew and loved The Aggrolites, will enjoy ...

With its third CD since 2004, the frankish party collective Superskank established theirselves within the german skascene. „Sicher Ist Sicher“ is the new record of the seven musicians from Nuremberg presenting songs like „Mein Bruder“, “Photonenhagelschaden” and „6 Milliarden Terroristen“, which are full of energy and plenty of fun, musically classed somewhere between ska, punk and pop. Whether quiet love ...

They are considered Jamaica‘s longest-serving band, so to speak as Buena Vista Social Club of the Caribbean Island. The quintet around the original member Albert Minott from Port Antonio plays mento and calypso since the late 50‘s. Their name was given to them by one of their biggest fans, the U.S. Actor Errol Flynn. Despite numerous line-up changes the band remained alive until today, and their average reached approximately 80. The cur...

On their third album “The Pepper Pots” manage the mixture of old school soul and Jamaican music almost perfectly. Thereby they sound fresh and almost unique. The equally charming as voiced singers Merce Munné, Marina Torres and Adriana Prunell are accomponied by there male band throughout the eleven new tracks like „Real Tru Love“ on, “Time To Live“ and “Take A Chance „ congenial and on a good music...

Taking a look behind the scenes of the Caroloregians from Charleroi, Belgium, will soon intimate that the sextet around singer / guitarist Matthew Hardison and drummer Nicolas Leonard devoted their energy to Jamaican music between rock steady and reggae on their third album „Funkify Your Reggae“ again. After the promising debut of „Organic Coal Beat From The Groovy Mines „(2006) and the successful „Pum Pum Hotel“...

Magic Alex was member of Soulfood International, before he moved. Now he started a new musical career with “The Magic Touch” (Berlin / Leipzig). Musically, he remained loyal to the Jamaican music of the 60sOn, because on the debut album of his new band ska, rock steady and reggae dominate. Although the quintet foremost exists since 2009, the album offers a total of 16 varied compositions, that have been recorded under the direction...

The album of the musically team Nina Alverdes and Paolo Mariangeli has become a solid work. So solid, that really established musicians like Sam Gilly or Glen Washington contributed. „Music Is A Must“ for the two protagonists of the album. The combination of a soulful female voice mixed with pretty rough guitars needs getting used to. The sound does not simply represent these clichés of early reggae or even skinhead reggae, but t...

Skanky like The Busters, melodious like The Hotknives, bombastic like a Big Band, popstyled  like REM and a Dancehall-Affinity like The Seed. Punky like The Toy Dolls, funky as James Brown, rocking like Bon Jovi and Latin as Santana. The Slapstickers are all this and much more. Sonic Iceland has no borders and no drawers. Here, everything is permitted, as long as quality is done. And the band with the logo of a baseball team did. They prove th...

The album „Ska Fusion“ will be released on the 28/02/2011 at Walt Jabsco Recordings. In advance, the single „Political Jesters“ is available yet. An equally idiosyncratic and successful song that is really hard to describe. The music is dominated by synth-effects and Moog-sounds as well as a nimble beat, probably from the drum machine. Now many will throw their hands up in horror. But anyway - it sounds really good. Many tha...

The punk influenced ska bands has evolved since its beginnings with 2 Tone persistently, reaching more or less popularity throughout the years. The 2 Tone Lizard Kings from Arizona flail there uptempo ska and 2 Tone Mix at its best with power and speed and with a noticable american touch. And their music benefits from that. Those who love fast ska, melodic, polyphonic and pleasant vocals, those who like crisp brass and who really love warm and vint...

Even if there were no plans to hype pretty every album that is published over here, there is no other opportunity, cause the recordings of Alaska make me speechless. We already knew that they have a great distinctive singer. Even that the band is a big entertaining crowd and focuses on traditional jamaican music, enriched with lots of Soul, with good reason is nothing new. But that they reach a promising place in the first league, next to bands lik...

The new disc of Kalles Kaviar is rather selfexplanatory. „Ooh Ooh Yeah Yeah“ is the well chosen claim for their fine and clean interpreted, amazing sound. The call to „Put On Your Dancing Shoes“ follows immediately. Then there is „King & Queen“ with the hook: „I need some more“. There is no better way to describe the disk: music to cheer by, music to dance by, just royal ska. And the remaining 12 songs...

How do we imagine the sound of an album titled „At Low Fyah“ by a band called „Smooth Beans“? Right! A little quiet, not so fast but groovy. The Smooth Beans are the best proof that good reggae does not depend on speed, if it is so well done and the band believes in their music. Clever arrangements around a truly soulful, excellent voice, warm organ sounds and backing vocals and a crisp reggae guitar invite us for a ride on ...

I‘ve rarely seen such a sophisticated EP, with which The Penguins present theirselves to the european skascene. A really nice artwork: A news clipping from the Arctic Gleaner replaces the usual standard booklet, also a very nice retro logo and the CD with the vinyl look. Using a fine detail, the Arctic Airmail sticker which is the icing of the cake. Even before the CD is in the player, the guys from Barcelona whet your appetite. The eleven mu...

The Boss Is Back is the obvious title of the new album by Roy Ellis a.k.a. Mr. Symarip. And in fact, there is no need to write much about it. Cause you can buy an album of him without any risk for sure. For those who need to know something about it, here are some impressions. He manages to link with this album to the old days easily. With „One Way Ticket To The Moon“ the first song on his new cd is a blast like his „Skinhead Moon ...

The classification of No Doubt into the ska drawer is an old dispute. In their early years everybody agreed with this. But the more musical evolution the band made, the less we were inclined to see it as ska band and at some point this musically did not fit anymore. Such a dispute, we may also run in terms of the trendiest pop-reggae publication since a long time. The Spankers are open and put together many elements to a very enjoyable sound that I...

It is a pure party! Strong guitar riffs are served on Skapunk tablets, the horns blow storm signals and the rhythm section pushs us throughout the living room - a fight for life begins. The Resignators set course for hell. And their audience is invited to part: „Go direct to hell, do not pass the GO, don`t collect salary anyway“. The Resignators play purest rock`n`roll with smashing offbeats on their own party at the hottest spot of the ...

The ancient heroes of our favorite genres are not much anymore and there is nobody following them anymore, one would agree? Error! Alpheus, who admitted his debut „Quality Time“ in 1999 as an artist of the latest generation of the Studio 1, and a second album in 2007, found with Roberto Sanchez of A-Lone Productions in Spain a congenial producer for his brand new album „ From Creation“. The trade press has been convinced fin...

Austria often is forgotten on the map of the european music scene. Whereas it surprises us with its young, dedicated bands again and again. Skaputnik is such a star again which has now managed to become known beyond the boundaries of their small country. The young musicians from Wels won the International Live Award in Vienna in 2009 for a good reason. For it is not only the musical level, that‘s fine here. Also the arrangements are varied an...

The title of the album of the five guys from Hamburg makes it clear right from the start. Loui Vetton are hurling melodic punk rock with an emphasis on the two and the four towards our heads. And there are only two alternatives. Either to go along or to turn off. We opted for the former: „Welcome To The Show“ and have no regrets. Drenched in sweat cause of pogo throughout the entire living room, hoarse from our loud sing along and stopp...

No, this album is not really new, and even its recordings are from 1981. Directed by Jeremy Taylor, professor of music at NYU then, Jamaican studio musicians came together in New York City and recorded this awesome interpretation of „Kind Of Blue“. The vinyl-only label Secret Stash Records, known for its untiring search for musical treasures worldwide, has tracked down the disc in 2009 and pressed the reggae version of the best-selling ...

If a good idea encounters good, dedicated musicians, a good album must necessarily arise. Mr. T-Bone, so to speak, invited himself to dress selected instrumental numbers of selected bands like: The Soul Captives, The Heat Makers, The Bullets, The Forth Rights, The Ratazanas, The Moon Invaders, The Slackers, The Caroloregians or Mr. T-Bone‘s Allstars in new arrangements and to unite them to an album. „Pimp my instrumental!“ one mig...

After two very inviting EPs the Red Soul Community have recently released their long awaited debut album, a delivery that directly climbs the peak as the smartest album of 2010 within the last second. With „What are you doing?“ they prove that they`ve got soul, not only in their name. Early Reggae meets Soul might describe it quite good, what the spanish band, led by Isa Garcia and Carlos Dingo as well as Labase Martinez, offers us. And...

Askatasuna? I must confess, I did not stumble upon this extraordinary Italian ska band previously. Too bad! After listening to the album for the very first time and even after multiple listening, it`s still a delight. Our hearts leap up, the sun shines and the little bit of social criticism, we treat lightly while we still recognize the seriousness of their messages: On the band name that was chosen after a Basque Party, which has been banned since...

The septet, founded in 1994 in the swabian Schwieberdingen published the twelve track containing cd „Just In Time“ on its own recently. On their third full-length album, the musicians around mastermind Manuel Mack keep their authentic mix of ska, rocksteady and reggae, and add stylistic excursions to pop and soul to provide a diverse variety. The half-year‘s work in the studio has paid off audibly, and also their years of stage ex...

Ten years after the last CD / LP „Screams, Dreams & Custard Creams (Grover Records) the quartet from the English seaside resort of Brighton released a new, compelling album at last. Drummer Nigel ‚Clem‘ Clements, singer / bassist Mark Carew (also known by the Long Tall Texans and the Astro Zombies), guitarist Stuart ‚Stu‘ Brown, and keyboardist Richard ‚Bosky‘ continously developed their distinctive mix of s...

With „Der Sommer ist für alle da“ the Saxon Reggae-/Dancehall-artist Ronny Trettmann reached the German single charts in 2006. Since then, he did numerous productions and cooperations and humourus gave lots of topics for a vital conversation among fans and media. Since 2008, the near Chemnitz derived Trettmann runs his own label Heckert Empire, on which he released 24 tracks - including intro and outro - on the CD „Zwei Chlor...

One Love! „Tribute To A Reggae Legend“ is the title of this global compilation that`s dedicated to Bob Marley. It is an international 12-song reference of reggae and the popular Rastafari. For a long time they were synonyms, the world applauded the musical rebel who gave Jamaica‘s music a new identity. „Three Plus“ from Hawai start with their greetings from island to island. They added their groove on their interpretation&n...

And while we are already reviewing one of the longest-serving Swedish Skaband, we also listened to their album which was released in 2010. What can I say. Mobster still embody the variety ska bands, which determines the Ska in Europe for a long time. „Rough & Ready“ describes it rather good. And they still play this at a really good level. I would recommend to listen to „Riot Tonight“ and „Rock Steady In The Jungle&ldqu...

The title says it all: Mobster seek help from Depeche Mode and their chart buster „Master and Servant“ from 1984. The swedish interpretation differes not much from the original. Let‘s say they have dug into their old vinyl boxes and selected a song from their youth in order to transfer it to their own rhythmics and style. And of course the political and certainly sexually interpretable message of the song has not necessarily lost ...

The new record from Bluekilla is a positive surprise. Paradoxical as it may be - the title of their album „Never Was A Ska Band“ is desigend mainly white with black, so that the record could easily be recognized as a clear ska-album. And also with the same titled song the nine guys from munich introduce the album with a really solid uptempo song with catchy melody, as we rather know it from The Hotknives. Both, the speed and the sound g...

With „Follow My Sound“ The Prize Fighters from Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN present their first work that is stylistically somewhere between Madness, Intensified, and Hepcat. The 11, actually, 10 plus an intro, tracks cannot be described more precisely at the moment, because the band is in search for their own sound. It is clear that it is about honest music and therefore the rough recordings are quite the right choice. With this album, s...

What should one of the most famous Jamaican Jazz bands in Germany sound like after enabling the console for a mix that has changed their „best of“ selections from their previous three albums into a flawless Dub album? Well, you be the judge! What we have here is Reggae, Jazz, and Dub woven into an atmosphere as we know it from the Senior All Stars, namely as individual Dub tracks of their previous albums. Nine different remixes were mad...

Pressure Drop always manages to dig some classics out of the record box and puts together nice compilations. 30 tracks from the Godfather of Ska from 1969 to 1971 for the price you will pay are totally worth it, so nobody needs to hesitate. There are really beautiful tracks on this compilation. Some, we already know all too well. Also, you will find some rare material from Aitken, as well. Very nice, early music, with antiquated recording quality i...

Two beautiful tunes, carved into vinyl. Collectors will love it. The release by Liquidator from Spain contains the two tracks, „Relativity“ and “Diatonic Time,“ by Ruben Lopez & The Diatones. While the A-side sounds a bit like Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and maybe Alton Ellis, the B-side is more nimble with a very soulful, polyphonic Early Reggae sound that makes us move our feet immediately. So, I give an absolute positive reco...

The single from this album, „Political Jesters,“ we have already discussed in the previous issue. So, we were very excited to listen to the whole album, from which we expect new standards for Ska music. And that‘s what we get! The choice of artists on Ska Fusion fits everywhere and nowhere, all at the same time. Somehow, Walt succeeds in recording a totally unique album, while The Olive Branch sounds as familiar to us as some of o...

Ska and Mexico seem to fit together much better at times than we thought. And with the seven young musicians whose paragons are big ones like The Skatalites, Rude Rich & The High Notes, Jamaica All-Stars, and Dancing Mood, we have a worthy representative of the younger generation of Mexican Ska musicians who have raised the bar high. But, they are still a few years away to be truly measured up with the greats of the genre. We look forward to in...

Simon Wagner, a.k.a. Sensi Simon, known to many as a trumpeter of the Tübingen Ska band, Soulfood International, presents his new project, „The Samowar Big Band.“ All 14 tracks on the album „The Fabulous Sound of...“ were written by him. He also did the vocals for „Es ist schön,“ brilliantly supported by nine high-quality musicians. The listener will quickly realize that it is a stylistic blend of Boogaloo, ...

These are well-known songs/hits that Jambila brought together on this compilation named „Kingston Calling,“ and there are equally wellknown artists who are responsible for the interpretations of these chart busters. And once again, this album proves that good songs that are arranged in a competent fashion also work great when they are converted to Jamaican genres. Blur is reinterpreted. Joy Division‘s „Love Will Tear Us Apar...

Jah Cutta, Canada‘s „King of Reggae“, is not known much beyond his national boundaries. The singer and toaster from Montreal, Quebec, who has accompanied greats like Sugar Minott with his savvy „Determination Band“ has also performed with the great Peter Tosh, The Wailers, and Gregory Isaacs, just to name a few. And he has already been invited to the Montreal Jazz Festival. So, if you listen to the new CD, these refere...

Bristol Archive Records is the name of the project with the objective to raise, preserve, and promote the musical heritage of Bristol. With the current release „Dole Age - The 1981 Reggae Collection“ a Reggae band was reborn, which was missed by many, although this band backed legends such as Black Uhuru, Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, and other Reggae legends. They also shared the stage with The Clash and The Rolling Stones. Musically, th...

The new release by Barefoot Basement has been published since the end of last year, but although late, absolutely worth a review. Sophisticated instrumental Reggae from Vienna is a seldom phenomena, so we should take good care of it in an appropriate way. The Austrians surprise us with their music; high leveled, diversified, and with love for nice details as well as a cheerful groove that, above all, supports the unique and amazing brass section. I...

Richell Bonner, as he is known and loved, offers us a traditional sound stuck into a contemporary outfit. His video for the single, „Black Woman,“ has been running for several days. The album, The Book of Job, followed now with 12 songs injected with the originators suffering voice on this fifth album, worked on by experienced producers (especially Donovan Germain, Penthouse, Shane Brown, and Lenky). In all of his songs, he uses the old them...

From the United Kingdom, lots of newcomers of the Ska and Reggae scene send their stuff. Not all, but a surprising number of them are very convincing, musically. One of them is the band By The Rivers from Leicester, which has sent us their second release simply named EP Number 2. Also, simple is their song writing, which is very melodic, rhythmically skilled with very pleasing, polyphonic voices. Stylistically, they remind me of „Dr. Woggle &...

Fabulous! Rusty presents us with a really fabulous piece of work at the end of a long musical journey. It was a great idea to visit Kingston for the recordings and to work with well known Jamaican studio musicians at these original places (albeit, I recommend a better expander for the keys). I am certain they all had lots of fun over there because Rusty‘s songwriting is as persuasive as his unique voice, which is rooted to the higher octaves ...

The Beat Busters are not new for us. In addition to Mr. Review and Rude Rich & The High Notes, they are one of the top ska acts from the Dutch scene. Their cooperation with Def P is also not new, at least not for the Dutch. In the rest of the world, however, we are not so familiar with this exciting project. Especially as MC and singer, Def P sings in his native language: Dutch! Why not? Songs of the brand, „Op Hard Way“, „In Deze&...

The rough sound of Usual Players is catchy and diverse. The English accent gives this British ska band their authenticity and a certain twotone feel, while the punk infl uences can not be denied and make clear that the band got the Two-Tone era punk movement still deep in its heart. The entire project is: Very British! If Usual Players then sing „Soul of Rock n`Roll (is dead),” we mustn`t believe them, not musically. The band’s to...

It’s a nice thing that there are more live albums around these days. It is still the best way to capture the energy of a band properly, if it has any. Manovalanza has that energy. The 13 songs ranging from punk to skacore, with lots of fast off beats, lots of guitar fi ngerboard and brass sections, are absolutely convincing, varied and exciting. With 260 mph, the Italians enter the stage and invite the audience to have a race. Pogo, fun, and ...

The argentinian scene is alive, and more and more feedback and even submissions reach us from the southern end of america. The album of the Yataians is one you have to get used to fi rst, but it is also quite interesting. The sound is quite rough, the vocals smooth as silk - the blend of reggae and rocksteady songs with a lot of organ and background vocals is very independent and pleasantly unconventional. As if we have found a vintage record colle...

Alex Giguere and his crew have already published their current self-titled disc a few months ago on Stomp Records. They`ve also been in Europe for the fi rst time this year and returned again back in the summer for some festivals and club gigs. The formula of their music seems simple and eff ective: Four tough musicians, a rough sound, music (somewhere between early reggae and classic punk rock), simple compositions, some well known interpreted cla...

Since April, the disc of the successor project of the “Evilsons” from Finland has been available, and they’ve already put out a Skank ‚N‘ Roll album several years ago. As „The Capital Beat“, they`ve got far less „Roll“ in the program, but are much inspired by reggae a la Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff . There is also a ska feel with elements of hip hop and jazz on the album. Always stylish, the album kee...

The Ratazanas present themselves in a modern light, but still are committed to tradition, especially on their second album, „Lick It Back“. It off ers an early reggae sound underscoring its classic roots phase, keeping themselves close to the beginnings and away from modern dancehall. The Portuguese The Ratazanas, who started in Europe in 2009, hailing from Oeiras/ Lisbon with their debute album “Ouh La La,” dedicated themse...

Terrakota justly got cult status in Portugal. The septet around the exceptional singer Romi Anauel shines again on their fourth studio album, „World Massala“. The Afrobeat pioneers from Lisbon have gone to India for a majority of their recordings in order to connect its local music with reggae. Various ingredients based on percussion blend with guitar, keyboard, bass and drums to form a harmonious whole, without losing sharpness on any ...

Etana’s career has skyrocketed quickly. With her debut, she had been awarded with „Best New Reggae Artist“ at the MOBO Awards in London. Now, with her latest CD, „Free Expression“, it is clear that we are dealing here not just with a new reggae artist, but with a singer on a worldwide level. Her music is incredibly soulful, with a good eff ect on the whole sound, though her main music is still dedicated reggae. Comparisons&...

One of the best German acts combining reggae, dancehall, hip hop and pop-punk presents us with „Unter Freunden“, his fourth studio album. Miss and Mr. Mono Nikitaman climbed to the top in recent years by playing as a sound system and also with a band. With these 15 new pieces, they have succeeded again with translating the live atmosphere successfully to the studio. The duos lyrics are direct, powerful, and authentic. The extraordinary ...

We’ve got lots of fun with the new Gentleman single. The German-Jamaican shows his best side again. A good riddim, melodic vocals, nice background vocals and also the mastermind toasting as well as singing. A great chorus and a fat production. This will be a big pleasure for the dancehall fans. The Jamaican-American label V2 must agree, as they have worked with the German musician since early February. Very good. We want more!

(OW)

Chino, singer and toaster, somewhere between U-Roy and Shaggy, has a very modern sound. A pleasure for both the reggae/dancehall massive and the usual listeners as well. The production is neat and can be fun. With „The Link Seal”, Chino off ers his version of a summer hit for 2011. It has the commercial potential of Shaggy‘s „Mr. Lover Lover“ and Lou Bega‘s „Mambo No. 5,” but it remains an authentic and mo...

They are undoubtedly one of the brightest new stars on the reggae horizon: Danakil, named after a large desert in Africa, where they, besides jamaica, have sought and found their inspiration for their current album „Echos Du Temps“. And with this, the French, who sing in their native language, take their place within my favorite candidates for the best reggae album of the year. Danakil have worked with prominent guest musicians like Nat...

The band from Soul Bay, U.K. presents five tracks and adds their name to the list of good ska and reggae bands. The opener, „She‘s Got Soul“ sounds likable - old-school - a ska track which is heard many times in the graceful outfit of The Dub n Tuff Allstars. With „Tief“ follows beats and toastings, heavy on reggae. Then the appeal - „Take It Easy“. The vintage-style is especially enjoyable in this song, reminis...

Whether the moon landing was real or fake, it is still a secret to all. What we do know, is that the band Moon has published an album with the name „The Landing“. What is also true is that the two two-tone figures on the cover should have danced after the landing on the moon. What about an astronaut could be really surprised: ‚WTF?‘ The album isn‘t a miracle yet, expressed extremely with words. Let‘s say, the fir...

One Country, ten bands, 19 songs: „Ska In Your Head“. The device and the sampler are carefully matched. This album from the Sombrero Club Zine unites some of the most well known Spanish bands on one beautiful disc where you will hear some ska, mostly in the traditional style, but with some other facets. The Penguins‘ self-titled EP had already been released to positive reviews several weeks ago. Two songs from that album appear on...

The title hits the bull‘s-eye. Drewvis gives us abundant joy which you can hear in every note. They take their music seriously. But that seems necessary, if they dare to take up the cause for ‚Acoustic Ska‘. And with their style of playing ska music, you would not miss anything. Not at all! This album contains a lot of popular sound. As if Belle & Sebastian reinvented ska music, or the great-grandchildren of the Beatles played ...

Walt Jabsco has sent an EP. What should I say? That‘s true „Lunar City Groove“. „Don‘t Give Up Your Day Job“ from The Olive Branch, we have praised to the skies. You will have a lot of fun with the following tracks of the EP. The EP provides attitudes of spacey, easy-going, trashy, multifarious, open-hearted, electronic, Spartan and many more; but always in a positive way. The exceptional case of the EP is definitely&...

This EP has been resting on my desk for some time. I have no idea why I had forgotten about it, as this band surely doesn‘t deserve to be forgotten! The five guys from Finland have recorded a very good EP, showcasing some very poppy 3rd wave ska with a fresh and really good female voice. The necessary drive is there as well as some very catchy melodies. You can‘t ask for more from the first record of a still young band. „City Ligh...

Pinatubo Bay from Tübingen score again, as expected, with their second album, „No One Below - No One Above“. It is an album full of good tracks from rocksteady and reggae to soul. „All Because of You“ is a nice first track which will hopefully be transformed into a live-intro for future concerts. „Last Call“, a song from their last record, is recorded in a powerful and new rocksteady style and it fits perfect.&nb...

A new hope for the future from the United Kingdom has come with „M.O.J.O“, New Town Kings‘ second album. The nine musicians from Colchester, Essex play a kind of traditional 3rd wave ska, and for the most part, several voices which sounds great. They play their set with a spring-in tempo and very poppy melodies. It‘s good to listen to and it is very catchy, but nothing really new. The recordings are very rough, which could a...

Go, go, go! This EP has a lot of guitar, powerful drums and some fill-ins on the wind section here and there. The voice is high and light, the sound is blazing and massive. That is classic Less Than Jake, the way we know the quintet who banded together at the university in Florida. Their style is a staple of the commercially popular ska-punk sound made famous by the likes of Green Day, Rancid, and so on. There are a lot of fans who want exactly thi...

This album consists of five songs by this band from Brooklyn, New York. So small, we almost would have forgotten, but listening was a lot of fun. „Muzon“ is a remarkable and uncategorizable effort from Karikatura. The singer is a true pleasure, the musicians play their solos in brilliant ways, and the musical talent level is high. The arrangements are special and varied. You could even consider the album offbeat, with Karikatura‘s...

The sextet from Madrid has recorded again! Almost immediately after their previous EP „New York City“ was released, the Spanish guys were busy once again. And this time, they are in the mood for love. This is not a love song? Of course, it is a love song. It‘s titled unmistakably and appropriate: „Por Mucho Que Pasen Los Anos“. Los Granadians are looking through rosecolored glasses. Who‘d have thunk it or rather ...

Mr. Freak Ska - published on Empordà Son? Whom?! We should all be excited and open our ears to this. Spain, more precisely Catalonia, is chock-full of new projects and at the same time - new labels. It makes our heart beat faster, especially, because the first publication,“Ska Casola“ from Mr. Freak Ska, is a very nice album in a remarkable and little known language. No, it‘s not Russian, nor is it Hungarian or Polish, or e...

Due to the name of the band and the title of the album you could believe, that this is more of a ‚to pass the time project‘ of some eastern german musicians with a strong sense of humor. But with the first listening I‘m overtaken by this likable, round piece of black vinyl. The mix of the chosen covers and the original compositions, sung in four different languages (German, English, French and Italian), provide a small, yet nice o...

The Broilers were founded as an oi and punk band in Düsseldorf back in 1994 by singer/guitarist Sammy Amara and drummer Andi Brügge. Over time, they have developed themselves and show how far they‘ve come on their new album „Santa Muerte“. The new titles produced by Vincent Sorg that include the standard-setting energetic opener „Harter Weg (Go!)“, are musically enjoyable and complex. The most recent change i...

This album by the offbeat disco supergroup Ratatouille, isn‘t much of a dance album by any means. It‘s hard to get truly into move with this album. Everything is very smooth: definitely not an album to break out and dance to, but rather one to sit and listen to. By the way, it‘s perfect. The CD has a vinyl style and is packed in a digipack. That‘s not anything new - but it always looks good. Ratatouille presents smooth ska w...

This small gem has a playtime of 31 minutes, recorded in the mood of the holidays with a dash of lovesickness, and featuring beautiful melodies. I don‘t have to say much about the voice of Chuck Robertson. A good voice is a good voice. The new songs aren‘t necessarily varied, but very unique. To justify the hype, one would have to see the band perform live. I‘m anxious to see what the four Americans can do to turn 31 minutes of&nb...

Until their third album „NOW!“ (2009), the Catalan Big Band managed to do a perfect mix of old-school soul and Jamaican music. On the current CD, „Train To Your Love“, the stylistic direction has changed after the change of instrumentation of the three singers (Aya Sima came for Merce Munné). All 12 songs from „Can‘t Let Him Go“ and „Dreams of Coming Back“ to „Gladden Your Soul“ do...

In terms of style, the French guys of 65 Mines Street from Franche -Comté/Audincourt have signed themselves off on a mix of the finest punky reggae & ska music since 2009. Anyone who associates bands like The Specials, The Aggrolites, 8°6 Crew, The Slackers or Jim Murple Memorial with it, is definitely right. The album features 17 tracks, as well as a bonus video track. The sextet around singer John Lewis and organist Mista Purple (w...

The sublabel of VP Records compiled this whole package with a double-CD plus DVD. And of course, it has become a Soca Anthology. 30 songs, showing the musical history of Trinidad, are sung by the exceptional artist Slinger Francisco who is promoted under names such as „Mighty Sparrow“ and the „King of the Calypso World“. His song „Jean & Dinah“, which he won an award for in 1956 at the Carnival Road, is proba...

Ce`Cile presents 16 songs on her new album, „Jamaicanization“, and satisfies 100% right from the opening track: „Where You Want Me?“ - Right here and in that way, Ce`Cile‘, right here and in that way. It has a catchy reggae groove that is good to dance to, with a successful hook sung by a lovely voice. It follows similarly with „When You‘re Gone“, „Sweetness“, and especially „Touch Yourse...

Dreadnut Inc. presents themselves as snazzy and offbeat, featuring a talented wind section on their first album. It isn‘t at all out of the question to award them with the title „Newcomer of the Year“. Even though this band from Münster/ Paderborn has existed since 2004, the eight musicians only just released their first album. With „First Drop“, they start auspiciously with huge potential. The opener is a beautiful re...

The ensemble group Dubtari from Hamburg produces easy-listening summer ska. The name of the band is an allusion to the cult program „Daktari“ and the dub music style. The fifth album from these eight musicians is a bootleg recorded on November 13, 2010 at The Fabrik in Hamburg with the concise title: „Live in Altona“. It‘s a varied cross-section of the 12 year-history of the band. It begins with the instrumental song &...

„The Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2011“ became a high-quality soundtrack for the summer here. This official hit compilation produced by Christopher Chin consists of the latest 17 songs from Tony Rebel and Romain Virgo, to Bunny Lee and Gentleman (from Germany). In terms of styles, this annual compilation from 2011 covers a wide spectrum of Jamaican music and presents many successful foreign performers. The retro style cover wasn&lsqu...

The theme of the album „Like a Tree“ seems very earthy - and in that way, the CD starts. The second track shows that the diamond which was brought abroad by Rootdown still needs more of a finishing touch. While toasting, the voice sounds perfect, but in spite of the good production, the vocals could still be improved. Because of this, the songs featuring the toaster supported by female backing vocals attract better attention. With all o...

Fast, hard, spanish, melodic, suitable for a party and with the gloves off. Offbeats with a seldom clear brass sound, aggressive voice and witty speed. Like we know and like Latin Ska at all and including lots of political statements. Santiago Rebelde follow the footsteps of big latin ska acts like Desorden Publico or Che Sudaka and promise similar sensational live gigs. Surely not as matured as the big names yet, but with a lot of punk in their he...

The Liptones don`t play nowadays ska. In fact they continue their own story. Fast, with a lot of melody, brass and for dancing, dancing, dancing.  Yes, this has been important assets of theformer ska scene, which we are not comparable familiar with today. So it feels good, that the older generation of ska bands feet ourselves with their new old stuff. And good to have some sounds from Sweden, which seems finally to disappear on the map of the ska s...

The Downsetters are a band that pay full respect to their roots, but are putting their own spin on the sound of ska. Hints of the origins of the genre rub shoulders with 2-Tone influences, while mid 80s ska doesn’t go forgotten either. This may not be an entirely original sound, but this band from Englands’ South East plays it damn well. To the best of my knowledge this is their debut release, and is an excellent start to their career. ...

Poland is a much more active country as we realize in the rest of Europe. Las Melinas for example is one of those acts, which we haven`t known so far for some inexplicable reason. Twelve musicians, a thick, swinging sound and a really pleasant voice, which sounds best in its native language (especially thanks for that!). They play a type of ska which we thought got lost within the last few years, when besides the organ-focused reggae stuff not much...

At all there is not much to write about the great album „Two Tone Bastards“. 18 tracks, two new ones, two rerecorded ones and a kind of best of choice throughout the whole and long band history of The Blaster Master, who made Ska popular in Finland long time ago, keeping sounding „very British“ all of the time. After they played live in England last year for the first time ever and a great tour all over Germany in spring 201...

Here it is the sampler with the Union Jack. And yes, it`s time for the British music scene to show their colors regarding their actual qualities in playing ska. And there is nothing to hide. Lots of different facets are offered, known and also internationally unknown acts. But also old hands of the scene like Amphetameanies, Jimmy The Squirrell, Too Many Crooks or Smoke Like A Fish. My favorite tune on the record is absolutely clear: Miacca, this y...

Lots of styles from Skank to Shot are to find on this piece of hardcore-focused ska music from the north of Germany. It sounds pretty self contained, fresh and musically without a single flaw. So where is the problem? None at all. Quite the opposite: Together with Loui Vetton, Ska Wars, Mad Monks and similar acts one could speak about some movement in the German scene. Two long neglected styles, ska and hardcore, come together and to a new life. Wh...

No, The Butlers mentioned here are not the Beat guys founded early Sixties in Leipzig, but the Ska unit from Berlin established 1987. After reshuffles, renaming and bandbreaks the octett with singer James presents now the „25 Years Jubilee Edition“ in CD-form with a responding hologramm-cover. Starting with Uptempo-Ska years ago, the development of the band went direction Soul, RnB and Instrumentals, ending 2009/2010 with the actual rec...

Famara is not new in the world of reggae like world music. And so he is well known for his well drafted rooty songs with lots of influences, combined to a smooth sound. Chill out music, you could say, which is also cozy. Reggae like sound for wavers. And this is meant absolutely positive. Here and there it reminds of Chico Cesar, the Brazilian singer with that pineapple hair. Well, Famara is definitely more versatile. From the acoustic intro, to th...

„Bye Bye Babylon“ sounds like farewell, even though Mellow Mark has never been away. Not even a leave from reggae, what one could think due to the EP-title. And cause of some people thought he is gone, Mellow Mark proclaims his death himself, not without tons of irony, as we know it from him yet. Since the truth is, with his actual EP Mellow Mark proofs that he is one of the big names in the German reggae scene not without good reason. ...

I „love“ Wohlstandstrash, a surely good chosen, shrewd title for an album, which turns usual social critics to a mix of conscienceless hedonism and elaborate irony. The lyrics are well done, including the meaning between the lines. I guess this album was lots of intelligent work. Sometimes it reminds me of Max Herre and suchlike. Shabani most of all takes elements of hip hop, Reggae and also Funk, sound of the eighties and Rock. There a...

Native Jamaican Yah Meek from Bielefeld/ Germany pays us a visit with his new album, Sojourner. And he brings along more guests like Uwe Banton, Jennifer Washington and Anthony Locks. They present us with a whole lot of 18 tracks, spreading a lot of “Good Vibes” and, of course, “Summertime”, the single he already released last year: Summertime, the vibe is right, everyone is in a good feeling, positive vibe all the time! If ...

The band around mastermind Harrison Stafford (Vocals, guitar, percussion), who worked as teacher for Jamaican music history from 1999 to 2011, is mostly known for their popular Bob Marley Tribute Tour along the US-West coast. Actually Groundation released a pretty jazzy and in parts also dub like roots-reggae-pearls.and proofs one more time, that great reggae music can be made best with some musical claim, if the musicians are keen and skilful play...

When Leonard Dillon, lead singer of The Ethopians, died last September, one of the giants left the stage forever. Half a year later The Ethiopian is released, the album he only just managed to finish, is released. There is often a bad smell of rip-off when record companies release records shortly after an artist has died. Too many times, people wanted to cash in on the back of the sad news. A few bars into this album, any such worry has vanished. T...

You can`t be wrong at all if you buy a Beres Hammond album, same with the actual one. Especially if you are into Lover`s Rock. With his new single „In My Arms“ the successful singer and producer promises some good new tunes for his loyal fans. While his sound is not the same like the one he had with the first digital Riddim (Sleng Teng Riddim), produced by King Jammy then, it`s still a unique Beres Hammond sound without too many musical...

Matic Horns is English-Jamaican trombonist Henry „Buttons“ Tenyue, who used to be in Matumbi and later the Dennis Bovell Dub Band. He played with and for everybody from UB40 to Soul to Soul, Aswad, Junior Delgado or Gregory Isaacs. This double-decker (a sheer 36 tracks on two packed- out CDs!) mostly consists of instrumentals, some of which are original compositions, others new interpretations of old Ska and Reggae hits. You may no...

Carlos Dingo - Nadie Está A Salvo – Nobody is safe. And really, how could and why should anybody hide from the Spanish Reggae germ cell that is Carlos Dingo, whose creativity seems unstoppable. This time he serves up chilly Reggae bites with a greeting from his organ, but mostly sung by himself. Isa Garcia, his partner in music and life only appears only occasionally as background singer, for a change. Unfortunately, I cannot say much about the lyrics, which might be neces...

1 - 2 - 3 – 4! Good things normally come in threes, but the men from Denmark take it one step beyond on their new album “Let It Come, Let It Go”. The album sounds as relaxed and authentic as the title suggests. Front man Bromann tells plenty of new stories and the band wrap them up into one shiny offbeat package. You could be tempted to present them with a gold medal really for being the most enduring, relentless and committed Ska act, always keeping it real and class...

Just as the Early Reggae wave in Europe seems to ebb away gradually, there is some fresh wind from aborad. Los Aggrotones from Argentina deliver a first-rate skanking organ attack to make you bob up and down and left and right. If you haven’t heard of the Aggrotones before, they could be compared to Smooth Beans. Both tracks on their new single (out on Jewel Records, France) are equally wonderful, leaving us to want more. Let’s hope for a swift release of their longplayer.<...

1-Stop-Experience is the new band by an old, excuse me, I mean, young acquaintance, Jennie “Bellestar” Matthias. As her nickname indicates, she used to be the singer of the Belle Stars, which were formed when the Bodysnatchers broke up in 1981. They had a string of single hits, most notably their version of Iko Iko, which has appeared on the soundtracks of blockbuster movies Rain Man and Hangover. She has worked and toured with a long list of bands, for example, The Jam, Madness, ...

„The Dualers are really massive in a certain part of London!“, says Jethro Baker, singer with Buster Shuffle about his fellow Londoners from Croydon. What he means is, for example, that the Dualers have managed to sell out 2000 plus venues like O2 Indigo in East London without any promotion or help from a record company. Brothers Si and Tyber Cranstoun originally started out busking the streets covering Reggae and Ska songs they had heard and learned at their parents’ h...

„Copenhagen is where it’s at”, according to Leo & The Lineup, and in King Django they have taken onboard a prolific advocate. Leo & Co are determined to conquer the ocean of Ska with Reggae, Soul and a fine dash of Ska. In order to do so, they trust in Leo’s raucous voice as well as a handful of positive messages which are blared out cheerfully. Seize the day / Don’t fade away / Believe in yourself – This record surely saves you your motivational co...

Young Maddie from New Orleans graces us with a new mini album she recorded together with the Forthrights as well as special guests Vic Ruggiero and Lickle Dan (The Frighteners).
As on her earlier output, the five songs – plus two dub versions – are all winners due to Maddie’s freewheeling singing, but also her musical variety. The songs float between the poles of dubby early Reggae (Evening Time, They Didn’t Build This World For You), Rocksteady (Sympathy) and e...

I have to make a confession, the first time I heard about this project I felt very sceptical. The idea to re-record classic tunes by the Skatalites – who were something like an orchestra already – with a full Big Band sounds like typical musicians’ idea. Everybody involved might have great fun, but the idea of listening to ten instrumentalists pushing for their solos at the same time sounded as if it might have been rather exhausting to listen to. That way Jazz Jamaica, who ...

There are many good reasons to acquire this gem. First of all, it serves a good cause. Teenage Cancer Trust cares for teenagers suffering cancer (and their families). The Specials have been supporting them since 2009, but this double album is the brainchild of super fan Paul Willo from the fan site www.specials2.com. Within a few weeks he managed to assemble 41 artists covering songs originally recorded by the Specials. As charity records go, music...

What a debut! Nearly everything falls into place here: music, lyrics, production. Missing Andy’s sound is a peculiar mixture of references to well-known bands (Madness, Specials, Clash, Jam, Oasis, Blur…) and their own originality. This new band from Essex may be big-headed and oh-so British in a very Gallagher-brothers way, when they tell us there are “no fillers” on their record. But they are right, too. Listening to the first five tracks you get a pretty good ...

Oliver Schrader and Joscha Hoffmann, from one of the oldest soundsystems in the German-speaking countries, release "Storms Of Life" for their 20 year anniversary jubilee. Forty years of reggae history are packed into this album, styled in a contemporary way. Classic reggae, dancehall, soca, as well as reggaeton - their compilation musically goes deep and even searches for the identity of reggae in Africa. The alb...

The intention of the album is named clearly in the title. An acoustic album. Finally, once again. Not only because the singer/songwriter's style is focused primarily on reggae, but also because he's played roots, and his warmth and soul become so focused. "Mecoustic" is full of great songwriting and features an absolutely great voice as well as a stylistically good influence from world, jazz, gospel, R&B and soul. It finally becomes clear: Tarrus Riley deserves his reggae...

The succesful reggae-something band from New Zealand is back with a new album, with which they start their own label "Proville Records". Whatever they do, it simply sounds good. All progression of time and the bright variety of influence does not change this fact in anyway. They keep reggae as the heart of their style. Even if funk lovers could find a new favourite song with "Loose Cartilage". And speaking of eagerness to experiment, the sound keeps light and catchy...

For the dancehall audience Reanno Gordon is one of the top artists of the scene. And we can easily recognize this by the title of his fourth album. On it, he strongly refers to the roots of his music, without denying a contemporary outfit. "Reggae Music Again" is a wonderful reminiscence of the good old times of 70s reggae music. This may very well be the reason for his choice to record in Bob Marley`s Tuff Gong ...

The young Jamaican is deep rooted in the hearts of the Lover's Rock community and this has happened seemingly easily. His reggae for everybody is easy-going and fits into all of the contemporary reggae-stereotypes we could imagine. What s a pity is that I am sure his voice would sound much better without some antares-distortion and similar effects.  They just seem to be way too much. Besides that, it might have been better to concentrate on the warmth of the songs. On the other ha...

Meritorious compilation by British label BRISTOL ARCHIVES featuring 15 mostly previously unreleased tracks by bands from the Bristol scene of the 1980s. Admittedly, sometimes those typical 80s keyboard sounds are a bit annoying – why do keyboards from the 80s sound so much more outdated than those of the 1970s? - but on the other hand there are a lot of interesting experiments to be discovered here. Some tracks have a touch of Jazz or Soul, others have clearly been influenced by New Wa...

This young band from Leicester scores with their debut single and its three original compositions that feature socially aware lyrics and a remarkably professional production. The boys manage to keep the balance between pop appeal and Reggae roots without ever gliding into shallow Ace Of Base – waters. Even though the second track, Hard Life, Harsh Times, sometimes reminds of early (pre-Red Red Wine!) UB40, the sound is fresh and modern. With a little luck and the right kind of prom...

There is someone starting like Freundeskreis or even Uwe Kaa. Not sure if this is intended, but for sure this is good. And why not do these kinds of "proven" classic sounds in a fresh and new way, especially if there is enough talent for text and flow as well as a good voice. Yes, Simon can sing, though we surely would prefer some nice ladies in the background choir. For me, this is a really good startup, a record between his debut "Soulion" from M...

Reggae and Dancehall with German lyrics is not the easiest way to please the crowd usually - but this doesn`t matter at all for Benji, the newbie at Urban Tree Music. A tight production, lyrics with presence and identification potential are a main part of his music. Just like we know it from Seeed, Jan Delay, Peter Fox solo or even Dr. Ring Ding, if he were to have been toasting in German.  There's not too much production in the recording, unlike V2 or Greensleeves anyway.  Bu...

Marking Stubborn Records’ 20th anniversary, Ace producer and bass player Vic Rice (New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, Stubborn All-Stars, Scofflaws…) has put together highlights form the label’s history in extremely far-out Dub versions. These echo-heavy Dub versions are mostly in fine, classic King Tubby style, but Rice likes to take it one step beyond turning you completely dizzy, ranging from hi-hats artistic remindful of The Beat or The Police in “New Batch Dub” an...

After Safe Travel, this is the second Pressure Sounds compilation of singles from the Caltone label. Most of these recordings were produced by the man with the golden touch when it comes to Rocksteady, Phil Pratt. This set deals with the interesting period when Ska morphed into Rocksteady and Reggae in the second half of the 1960s and it is easy to follow this transition here. Fast Ska numbers like Dial 609 by Chuck Jaques with Lynn Taitt and The Comets or Smooth...

Perry surprises us by already roaming the high plains of his creativity here. He is armed only with his 45 automatic, loaded with musical inspiration and ready to shoot his way to the Black Ark.  These recordings predate the Black Ark era, so we hear pure boss sounds, but way ahead of their time with their spaghetti western references, samples and effects. This collection of singles, apparently personally chosen by Master Scratch himself, is enough to keep you dancing to soulful funky or...

This immaculate record grabs me again and again every time I listen to it. If you like Prince Fatty’s sound, you will be enchanted immediately. His production of Hollie Cook’s debut was an absolute scorcher already and In Dub continues on this path brilliantly. Hollie calls her music “tropical pop-sound” and that term nails it really. Reggae meeting Sixties girl groups meeting Dub. Prince Fatty has created a hypnotic sound by using analogue band echoes, reverb and...

Keith Hudson’s masterpiece Rasta Communication from 1978 has now been released as a deluxe couble-CD including 12“ versions and a complete dub version of the album. Hudson never really achieved the level of success he deserved and sadly died much too young in 1984 because of cancer. Hudson earned the money for his early productions as a “ghetto dentist” and thus made his name as a producer and arranger for others. As a singer and lyricist he later reached cult status a...

This American band takes its name from a Bad Brains song. Long Live The Vortex, their eighth long player already, includes a free Dub version of the whole album and was produced by ever-busy producer Craig “Dubfader“ Welsch (John Brown's Body, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant). As the band’s name indicates, the lyrics are highly political and the band evokes the spirit of the late 70s and early 80s, when Punk and Reggae had a close encounter. The New Hampshire Magazine calls this &ld...

Fantastic Roots Reggae from the 70s produced by Tapper Zukie and featuring the cream of the studio crop (Sly and Robbie, Augustus Pablo, Earl „Chinna“ Smith etc.) in sublime remastered quality. Prince Alla turned to the Rasta movement in the late 60s. He made his first recordings for Joe Gibbs and was then discovered by Tapper Zukie, who recorded “Bosrah” with him in Lee Perry’s Black Ark Studio. In later years they worked together again and again, which is ...

Bunny Marett's latest album contains five songs and a dub-version of three of them. We get pretty used to this  combination nowadays on most albums, so the work on the mixtable must be good to avoid  thoughts about the artist trying to stretch out the length of the CD. First of all, we have Bunny in good  roots-mood and there is great instrumentation. The voice is awesome, even if it  sounds scratchy and the intonation is far from being perfect. At...

The Bristol label that brought us the Reggae Archive compilations full of gems from the British Reggae scene of the late 70s and early 80s, have unearthed this long-forgotten 12” form 1979 by London-based band, Tribesman. The driving, catchy Roots sound of A-side, “The Tribe”, reminds me of Third World’s hit “Now That We Found Love” – in a positive sense – whereas extremely relaxed flip side, “Finsbury Park”, features a strong h...

Groovy reggae ballads? They can! („Loophole“). Melodic mid-tempo ska? They can! („Let It Go,“ „Madhouse“). Authentic Instrumentals? They can! („Casio Maya“ „Extortion,“ „Peking Chicken,“ „Backdoor Buddies“). Rousing up-tempo ska? They also can! („The Reaper“). On its debut album the young formation (named “The Essentials” first) demonstrates that they ...

Don Drummond, Jackie Mittoo, Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, Jah Jerry, Johnny “Dizzy” Moore, Lloyd Knibb last year and only recently Lloyd Brevett. All of them may be playing in Ska heaven now, but in some way they still “walk with” the current line-up of the Skatalites. That is why the band have decided to call their first new album since 2007 “Walk With Me”.
The surviving original members, Lester Sterling and vocalist Doreen Shaffer are still on bo...

Having listened to plenty of “good-minded” Reggae preachers at the Summerjam festival and (not so) fresh from trudging through Silly Walks’ “Storms Of Life” yesterday - a gruesome Autotune expedition into Easy Listening country –, this album is balm for my ears and immediately makes me want to get up and dance.
We are served 17 very different tracks from 1964 to 1979, some more soulful, others heavily Rhythm and Blues-inflected. There is Rocksteady, ...

It’s Kung-Fu time! After “Return of the Gringo” paid homage to Spaghetti Western movies, Prince Fatty’s latest strike is a Kung-Fu extravaganza, again featuring a bunch of magnificent outlaws. They have come to help the Prince in his battle with the Drunken Gambler and his mean “Disco Monks”. Studio One legends Winston Francis and Dennis Alcapone ride through “Ali Baba” and “Ba Ba Ri Ba Skank”, George Dekker (The Pioneers) takes up M...

Janet Kumah has to be heard live and witnessed on stage! Dressed in a skintight dressed she looks gorgeous, with her enchanting stage presence and her soulful voice she will take you on a trip to the sixties. But this is a record review, so be advised to go to the band’s website and order this 6-track mini album, which has finally been released on CD recently. It will serve as an apt substitute until you get the chance to see them live.

“Movin’ On&rdqu...

Is it possible to review this disc without mentioning Madness? … Well, I’ve tried hard, but admit defeat. The title might point to The Specials - not without a reason, because Roddy Radiation plays the guitar on a couple of tracks. Right in the first song, “So Such Of Much”, however, we have to consult the booklet to be sure that it is not Chris Foreman playing the pseudo-Western guitar. There is more than a bit of “Shut Up&rdqu...

Swinging Ska and Rhythm ‘N’ Bluebeat, the band calls their style on the cover. That’s highly insufficient because they should at least have added ROCK’N’ROLL, JAZZ, ROCKABILLY, SOUL, ROCKSTEADY or that dapper SURF-guitar. In other words, The Nine Ton Peanut Smugglers simply add any hep dance music which is at least 40 years old into their mix and stir it well. This way they have created an album that is so retro and cool that you feel you have to invent a new adj...

19-track compilation of brass-heavy (mostly) instrumental reggae by Zion Train’s horns section featuring legendary trombonist Rico Rodriguez. Recorded in London’s Conscious Sounds studio and mixed by Bush Chemists, each track is followed by its excellent dub version.

There is a lot of diversity in the moods and rhythms, reaching from fast Ska (“Rico’s Blessing”) to more jazzy tunes like “Code of Conduct”, as well as the instrumentation.  ...

King Tide from Sydney show astonishing versatility on this offering. They combine Ska, Rocksteady, Dub, Early Reggae and a sprinkling of Dancehall. “Waves Break”, for example, adds a Pink Floyd-style guitar to the old Drum Song riddim, while “Convict Song”, apparently referring to Australia’s origins as a prison for English convicts, proves that Bondi beach is the place to go when you want to hear Nyabinghi drums.

In spite of all this variety, this organi...

The perfect summer album for lovers of music– without any miff of Bacardi feeling. Birmingham’s Overproof Soundsystem delivers a very versatile set including any musical style that uses heavy basslines. OPSS originally started as a weekly party that wanted to break the growing ghettoisation of the scene, so they accepted no musical barriers or genres and played any kind of music that was related to Reggae. On these 18 (!) tracks Messenger Douglas, Juggla, Ras T-Weed and their coll...

You get what it says on the tin: Ten shots of pure Boss Sounds! But don’t worry, they won’t kill you, but steal their way into your ears.

On this, their ninth album to date, the band that started as an offspring from John Brown’s Body has recorded on vintage equipment to create a well-matured sound. Roger Rivas took a short holiday from the Aggrolites and brings springtime to uptempo tracks like “Rooftop Duel” or “The Challenger”. His distinct...

After last year’s great On-U Sound Special, Hamburg label Echo Beach treats us to another “very very special” edition of its King Size Dub series. This latest issue solely focuses on Dub Syndicate. The groundbreaking band around drummer Style Scott has recently resumed business (see issue # 7 for live review and interview) and gives two tasters of the forthcoming album here, a cover of Bob Marley’s Rat Race with the vocal parts replaced by a spaced out...

Ingredients are Hip Hop, lovely Reggae, warm Dub and even some pop. The mix results in a really unconventional matter with absolutely convincing voices. But though they definitely do their own thing, the originality of the British band is just flashing here and there. Sometimes they seem rather abdicable. If there wouldn`t be a kind of blaze and glamour in it, if there wouldn’t be an outfit for hype and success, which makes us trust them to climb the charts and fascinate the masses. We ...

“Imitation is the highest from of praise.” This classic quote by everybody’s favourite alien Alf comes to mind at some point while listening to the new album by Too Many Crooks.

Here Today Gone Tomorrow sounds as if the song writing was heavily inspired by endless hours listening to all the old 2-Tone records. As a result, the organ in Jack the Lad sounds uncannily like Day on the Town by Madness or Rock Bottom is somewhat reminiscent of the melody of Spy I (from Bad...

The Best Of 1981/1997 is an attempt at collecting the cream of Terry Hall’s magnificent output after the demise of the Specials. About time, was my initial reaction. The double CD offers 42 (!) tracks by Fun Boy Three, The Colourfield, Vegas, Terry, Blair & Anouchka and from his solo work. They show him as a gifted and versatile...

Mad Professor’s new solo release may be called The Roots Of Dubstep but don’t fret, the “ROOTS” are spelled out in capital letters here, not the “Dubstep”. It is simply a very good modern Dub album, nothing more, nothing less. Even if the indestructible Kunta Kinte rhythm has another appearance here, most of the tracks are fresh ...

The sampler London’s Burning deals with the social riots in London last summer. Big Youth’s title track sets the tone for a set of strong tracks by legendary singers and toasters like Luciano, Michael Prophet, Horace Andy, Ranking Ann, Macka B or Pato Banton. There is even a final salute by Yabby You, who died in 2010. The collection stands in the long Reggae tradition of ...

This concert actually starts five days earlier for me: Doreen Shaffer, the Voice of the Skatalites, plays the Underground, backed by the Moon Invaders and leaving a profoundly happy and content impression. This only adds to my worries: Are the Skatalites still the Skatalites? After Lloyd Knibb’s sudden passing earlier in the year, surely not much can be left of the legendary band which in different constellations played on nearly all of...

When Leonard Dillon, lead singer of The Ethiopians, died last September, one of the giants left the stage forever. Half a year later The Ethiopian is released, the album he only just managed to finish, is released. There is often a bad smell of rip-off when record companies release records shortly after an artist has died. Too many times, peo...

The German-Indonesian roots reggae musician Sebastian Sturm actually presents his third album "Get Up & Get Going,". With the 12 tunes the 31 year old got back into a traditional band structure, since Exile Ailrline are made up of old and new musical companion. With the successful albums "This Change is Nice" (2006) and "One Moment in Peace" (2008) in his luggage, as well as a congenial backing band in the back, he manages to convince again. Af...

Punkrock cover songs? Who needs it? Pretty damn sure you need it! The Valkyrians have a resolution. The album has all of it! With ‘Nasty Nasty’ you get the usual party-stomper which runs perfect side-by-side with the bittersweet melancholy heard in ‘Astro-Zombies’, and even with a load of darkness like in ‘Babylon’s Burning’. However, the direction of style on ‘PUNKROCKSTEADY’ has all of it. It&rsquo...

Hog Hoggidy Hog is the most successful ska punk band from South Africa. The band was founded in Cape Town in 1995 with singer George Bacon. Initially, the Hogs opted as a quintet stylistically for ska, punk, trash, jazz, doo wop and traditional African sounds. In 1998 the members expanded by adding a trumpet and trombone and the sound was developed in the direction of „Pork Rock“ or „Hogcore“. That‘s how the band and t...

The party music from Berlin to the cult series from New York. The quintet around singer Artie presents after many years on the stage a compelling debut with „All Spooned Up", the cd is enclosed to the vinylalbum. And musically, the capital city of many companions differ from the Oi -, street rock and ska scene. Arthur And The Spooners have a lot of humor and have decided to record Oi, new wave and punk classics as party offbeat versions. They may not be the most excellent musicians...

They could be many things: an outstanding Santana cover band, a compelling and idiosyncratic beat combo, a fi rst grade power pop quintett, a hornless funk group with a groove, a reggae band, and a genuine rock group. But, while they seem to not fi t into the categories mentioned at times, they are all of that. The Hangers are nothing for reggae purists, but an uncommonly rich crossover project that uses the qualities of several divisions and combi...

Miacca is a very talented, new band from Wales. Although you can hear some inexperience in the music, the singer’s voice is very pretty, and in any case, has a sound uncommon in ska. Overall, there are a lot of pop sounds in Miacca’s music, and I‘m not sure if the band‘s compositions improve through playing them with off beat-focus. No, this really is not bad, not at all. The melodies are very beautiful and certainly have a ...

Rocker T is back once again. The Singjay, who has delivered his art with some good humor with the Version City Rockers, chose a superb backing band for the recording of his latest album, „Alphabet City“. The Stubborn sound, as we know and love it, can be heard especially on the tracks „Some Kind Of Woman“ and „Last Night In Eindhoven“, which together with the instrumental „Roland and Tommy“, presumably&nbs...

It was only a matter of time until we got the first few solo albums of the younger generation of the Skatalites on the table. Kevin Batchelor has published his first solo album „Bachelor Party“ (Living Room Records) in October 2005, and now presents a second one, titled „Grand Concourse“, with 13 tracks; each better than the last. His voice is incredibly good, the compositions are light and fluffy and very authentic. With Mo...

Thomas Streutgers alias Tommy Tornado is one of the best saxophonists of the global ska scene. On his live in Amsterdam recorded solo debut „Sunrise“, he is accompanied by the dutch colleagues “The High Notes”. The predominant number of the 17 titles on the album are original compositions, that are enriched by guests as Dennis Alcapone („Next Target „), Winston Francis („ Door Peeper „), Rico Rodrigue...

Musically, the nine musicians of the Berlin Boom Orchestra are moving between all facets of the genres Ska, RockSteady and Reggae successfully. „Throw Out“ is their second studio album after their debut in 2008, and above all the distinctive german-language lyrics characterizes the 18 tracks. As currently no other band from the capital, these Berlin guys make their audience dance. The recorded tracks like „Zwischen gestern un...

After five albums since 2000 Patrice presents a new collection of 13 Songs with his new album „ONE“. Stylistically he sticks to his unique mix of reggae, soul and pop. Always an individualist and rebel, the Afro-German (mother from germany, father from Sierra Leone) sets still great value on his sophisticated poetry for which he is known since his musical beginnings at the end of the 90‘s. „One“ benefits from the ...

Postbauer-Heng/Neumarkt, Bavaria. Here too, there are bands who have dedicated there music to a mix of ska, punk and reggae. In this case there are the eight young musicians from eSKAlation. Equipped with a touch of latin and a dash of hip-hop the mostly german lyrics commute between profundity and entertainment. Everything is garnished with an expressive singer, an assertive section of wind instruments and a driving rhythm section. The 8-Trac...

Here it is: The coolest work of the coolest ska history. Simon Ruff skank has always been the charismatic force behind “The Chancers”. But with „The Age of Rudeness,“ he goes even further. They did everything to give the band a mature, friendly face. The sound has been cleaned up and yet remains suffi ciently rough. And so, “The Chancers” currently provide us a really viable model of a Two Tone band, of which the...

The Hotknives, Madness should be warned. Besides Buster Shuffl e there is a new great ska-pop band from Canada following in their footsteps: Prince Perry, a group which is quite unpretentious, but absolutely compelling. With the EP „Whatever“, Prince Perry came out from Toronto and entered the worldwide ska-scene. Their music is simply stunning. They`ve got everything to play the big stages and after their „Extended Player” ...

Without a doubt, Baby Love & The Van Dangos from Denmark are one of the world‘s most prominent bands in the genre of Ska/Rocksteady. The sextet, featuring singer Daniel Broman, have acquired the reputation of an excellent live band in Europe and Japan in recent years. Similarly, the established artists show their extraordinary talents in the studio again and again since their debut of „Run Run Rudie“ in 2005. Thanks to the pre...

It’s charming, playful, soulful, and made with love. How could it be otherwise? Sara Lugo‘s debut album is all about the greatest thing in the world: love. And sure, some butterflies in her stomach may have contributed to the development of the 12 tracks. Nevertheless, the question is quite different and also meant critically: „What Happened?“ to the people. So, in the opener, „They Know Not Love,“ she agrees wit...

Aggrolites organist, Roger Rivas, seems restless. The hype about his activities for his side project, The Bullets (Chicano Soul meets early Reggae), hasn`t subsided yet. Roger and his accompanying musicians released the fifth album by the Californians titled, „Rugged Road,“ recently. The stylistic foundation of the Aggrolites on the only 10-song CD (a limited LP white vinyl is also available) will remain Rocksteady and early Reggae. Sin...

The anniversary disk of the Dutch is a seamless continuation of their previous releases. „Mr. Review-Sound“ as we know and love it. No
more, no less. Many of the tracks of the album „XXV“ they played live at their concerts yet. So we are glad to have them on cd now. And each time when songs have insisted on the stage - they are recorded in experienced versions, clean and groovy. The very first song „Lost Along The Way“ gets us in the mood for typical...