CD REVIEWS
REBELATION - THE BERLIN SESSIONS (DOGCD44) - reviewed by Tony D
This superb 5 track CD is exactly what it says in the title, a session recorded in Berlin. As the story goes on the inside cover this was recorded while the band toured Europe and found a 2 day break to dash into a studio to rattle this one off. The band had a slight change of line-up and whilst missing Sharon and Martin they took on board the excellent vocal enhancement of Ruby Taylor, better known for fronting the brilliant band Ettin. I would not really say this is a CD that would catapult you on to the dancefloor for a good old skank at first listen, but it does tend to allow you to change your mind about that half way through. If you are having a night in relaxing with your feet up and maybe a smoke of the sleepy stuff then this one is the one for you. This CD has grown on me and become a permanent fixture in my car player over the past 2 weeks. Crisp drumming, solid guitars, balanced keys, smoochie sax and nice clear beautiful vocals. Some cracking songs that are very catchy. I love it and a big thumbs up!!
CAPTAIN BLACK NO STARS v. RASTA4EYES - BOSS SOUNDS OF THE BOOM & BUST (DOGCD42) - reviewed by Tony D
Nice refreshing 8 track album made up with 4 songs from each of the 2 bands in what we could refer to as a 4 round bout, but I am not going to start awarding round points and there is certainly no knock out as they both seemed very equally matched. But they need to sort out the ’N’s Actually there was one immediate knock out when I listened to it for the first time. Captain Black No Stars kicks in with more than just a similarity to the Toots classic 54-46 before it settles down and becomes its own ‘River of Blood‘. Moving on to the 2nd track ‘The Lighter Song’ all about how ridiculous the laws are getting and questioning what exactly a public space is, the words made me chuckle and the beat got the foot tapping , Loved it!!. 3rd track ‘As Zac Says’ to me is the weakest of CBNS but by no means a bad track. They come back in on full throttle with the last of the 4 tracks ‘Dub MPLA (Revolution Party)’ The clue is deffo in the title as this classic sounding Dub track which is to CBNS what Armagideon Time was to The Clash but with no words. All in all a very good introduction to a new band. Co Produced by Tony Rebelation of ‘Rebelation’ fame it comes as no surprise the quality is very high. Rasta4eyes bounce in for the first round with ‘Oscar & Arthur’, I love this bouncy skanking feel that they capture with this track with excellent vocals and solid brass section. Rasta4eyes second offering to this album ‘Good old Rock n Roll’ about being on the dole and a very fitting track considering the current economic situation in the UK but is it a good topic to write a song about ? Who cares !!, it is a cracking tune with a hint of metal guitar solo (but just a hint). 3rd round and Rasta4eyes come out of the corner with a sudden burst of energy with ‘The Herb’ they race through this track at a speed similar to the Dickies on crack, all about growing there own daffodils or something !! . Track 4 by Rasta4eyes and the final track of this album ‘Never Will I Pay’ a nice solid track with full use of keys and brass complimenting each other but still trying to work out what he refuses to pay for, but the fight continues with another ‘rock n roll’ solid track. This album is available from www.dothedog.com for only £7.00 and that includes postage THUMBS UP!!
BOMBSKARE - A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE (Available on iTunes) - reviewed by Ash
This long awaited and much anticipated album marches boldly through the sound system with all the swagger that Edinburgh's original Ska juggernaut can muster - and I assure you it's boat loads, with the instrumental and title track 'A Fistful Of Dynamite'. If you've recovered from your pants being blown off by the Dynamite hold on to anything you value as 'Beatriz' will have you bouncing so much you'll be checking into your local A&E. I've sadly only seen Bombskare and handful of times and can visualize this 10 piece band working the crowd with the class of one of the UK's Ska tightest acts throughout this album. They're awesome live (stealing the show with ease at our Ska For Life 2008 event from seasoned performers of some repute) and if Bad Manners, Madness, The Specials (who I can strongly hear the influence of) record an album this year they'd be hard pushed to be able to steal the headlines from Bombskare. I don't say that lightly either - Buy it and you'll see what I mean! If you know Bombskare you'll know that's not a hard sell. Anyway back to the tunes .... 'Crime Of The Century' keeps up the unrelenting pace of the album with the bass bubbling under throughout and brass section enjoying a terrific workout. The lyrics are a clever piece of observational writing. The sort of quality song writing from Ray Davies and the like. This continues with 'Hand Of Fate'. This is as catchy as the rest and the harmonies that the lads vocals create are out of this world. 'Don't Give It All Away' is just as good in every way and whoever did the brass arrangement deserves a Blue Peter badge it's that good. The next tune is 'My Life In The Nineties'. Whoever wrote it (if he's telling the truth) I'm giving him 5 years but I know exactly where he's coming from. What I'd like to know is was he living my life? Probably not but if you're a 30 something (or more like me) you'll get this song entirely. For those haven't reached the stage of life don't worry you can just dance your arse of as it's typical Bombskare! 'Bondtrack' .... Oh dear I thought. It'll probably be another re-hash of James Bond 007. Silly me!!! It's a brilliantly witty song that if fellow Edinburgh chappie gets his old job back (Mr Connery) he'll be asking for this as the theme for the film. In fact Daniel Craig's as cool as the tune so it might be anyway. 'Desayuno Con Carmela', what's that all about? But it sounds great and I bet our Spanish friends (assuming it's Spanish) are probably dancing and wowing at the lyrics when they're hearing this. I'll ask Rafa the Mod Radio UK DJ for a translation. The pace is like the stage show - relentless, so when 'Damaged Goods' kicks in just take this a fair warning from your friendly Monkey Man. The harmonies are beautiful. My wife actually"ooohed" when she heard them and spent the rest of the song rattling on about them until the chorus came around and she goes "That bit - did you catch it!" Catch it, I'm melting in them love! 'World Turned Upside Down' pokes a thought provoking finger at the Justice System. I'll be honest I had to 'google' Mark Barnsley but it puts the song well and truely in perspective and takes the song on to another level for me as a husband and father. Google it and read a few articles. Well said Bombskare! Now this album is so good I haven't a favourite song but I guess for personal reasons 'Rather Die' would probably be it. Again there's fab harmonies, wicked brass, a bouncing bassline, solid drums and the effective use of keyboards and guitars. There's a 'Slight Return' to Beatriz as the band reprises it on the 12th track of the album. I nearly hit the 'Panic Button' with the next one as I could do with a respirator! 'Force Ten From Navarone' has a great intro and doesn't stop being great and is an awesome finish to a great album. I've used the word relentless but don't let that decieve you - there's 14 (well 13 thinking about Beatriz's reprise) very different songs and there's not a bad one amongst them. They're all brilliant. I'd challenge any band to match it in 2009.
THE STEADY BOYS - ROOTS (DO THE DOG - DOGCD41) - reviewed by Tony D
The first album from the lads and although it seems like we have waited years for this album. It may come as a surprise for some of you to learn The Steady Boys had only been together for 1 year when this was recorded. The album entitled ‘ROOTS’, not ‘boots’ as the first glance at the CD may suggest due to a very arty photograph of a pair of Dr Marten boots with the words Roots displayed under it. If that sounded like a criticism of the album I will make my apologies now because it was not, and it is probably as close to a criticisms they will ever get from me.The album is very well presented at first glance with a clever photographic display of what you could see as the Roots of these fella’s up bringing. It is always a joy to see young lads that really enjoy what they are doing and these lads fill the boots of satisfaction for both audience and themselves each time they play live as it is hard to find a face in the entire room without a smile whether it be on stage or off. I think this album captures the energy of these youngsters perfectly as they blast through a clever collection of songs displaying themes from anti fighting to military sounding protest chants. Classics on the album include ‘Run to the Guns‘, a fast hitting early SLF sounding track that even gives a dash of reggae as a second half breather. Then the very brilliant ‘Coldstream Guards’ and ‘Rewind the Mess’ are both brilliant samples of punk/Ska mixtures. Then ‘Proper education’ almost introducing an Undertones feel to the album, leading on to the slower paced ‘Don’t you see’ displaying a slight late clash sound. Another bounce around the room anthem song is ‘Footsoldiers’ all about ‘The rise of the foot soldier’ guaranteed to get even your granny bouncing in her bloomers and punching the air in delight. The album ends as The Steady Boys show their disapproval of fighting with the title ‘What’s the Point (in fighting)’, Lead vocal duties this time are taken on by Chris rather than Joe and it works really well leaving Joe to add his talents as backing vocals. This 12 track album is in my opinion a classic, and demonstrates anger and disapproval in today’s politics and problems in a very diplomatic and musical manner. If only we could get the world leaders to debate via songs instead of guns. I feel we have the best of The Steady Boys still to come yet and I am already looking forward to the second album. As in any trilogy the first one is the most important and prepares you for what is to come…..so don’t miss out, get your copy today from www.dothedog.com or from the lads themselves at a gig near you.
No.1 STATION - BOSS BEAT (ROCKERS REVOLT - RRHITCD6) - reviewed by Ash
Rockers Revolt strike again with an album full of as authentic ska and rocksteady as you'll find anywhere. The album charges in with Airstrip One, a traditional slab of ska featuring No.1 Station's brilliant horn section. To say it's catchy would be understatement of 2008. I guage appeal by my lads and Wor Ady's humming along! Sir Marcus Downbeat leads in the beautifully crafted "She's So Sweet", with gently textured backing vocals, great trumpet solo and gently pushed along by the band. A rocksteady anthem for right now! Jackie Chan (South China Sea) is a terrific reworking of the Skatalites/Johnny Moore classic. "Best Friend" is a slice of smooth reggae featuring the vocals of Ms. Moretti with MC Boss toastin' away. What a voice this lady has! Trad instrumental next with "Boss Beat" that I'd be spinning at club events (if it was on vinyl)! Smooth sax feeds me nicely into the next one "You Wanna Get Busy With Me", featuring the female vocals of Persia. Again a well crafted song. Jiggy Reggae is next up and (well for me anyway) is in a Shaggy-esque stylee (and that's not the pesky kid who was once spotted riding a red Vespa with Scooby - what a geezer). On the subject of Stylee "Russian Stylee"'s next. Another instrumental, this time featuring No.1 Station's very own hornblower, Stax on Sax - Boy can he play! "Stop The Fighting" is anthemic reggae at it's best and apart from having great vocals, spot on lyrics, etc, etc it has a stand out trumpet from Eddy 'Tan-Tan' Thornton. "Friday Night" features Ms. Moretti with MC Boss. If this was released as a single it has all the appeal of now - so my teenage daughters tell me. I think it's the Lily Allen sounding vocals that do it. I know it's the vocals but I've managed to avoid listening to Lily Allen! Tan-Tan takes the lead on "Reel Skank" with his sharp, firing trumpet. I loved the clever use of a fiddle in this one too! "Last Train" is a great piece of skinhead reggae with oh so beautiful vocal harmonies. "Pure Ecstasy" is an instrumental version of "Last Train" featuring Stax's Sax to wicked effect. Ms Moretti features on vocals for last time on the album on "Player Hater". The album reaches a climax with the last track "Alpha Skank" featuring Tan-Tan's trumeteering.
Have I tempted you yet to get your copy of this scintilating album? Let me have a last shot at persuading you ... I'm led to believe that at least one of the band members is a West Ham fan (I knew that'd do it - always works for me), but seriously who am I to try and convince you. Let's face it Mark Lamarr (BBC Radio 2) only thinks No.1 Station are "The UK's premiere Ska Band" and Robert Elms (BBC Radio London) say the album Boss Beat is "The best bit of contemporary Reggae I've heard in ages". So to sum up I'd say put it on your shopping list and avoid looking like a mug! IT'S WICKED!
PAMA INTERNATIONAL - HIGHRISE (Rockers Revolt - RRHITCD8) - reviewed by Ash
The album is a charity album - The Highrise Campaign, an anti-knife & gun album. By coincidence on the weekend after the murderer of 11 year old Rhys Jones was sentanced to a life term Pama International launched their album in Brixton. It did put the terrible need for action into perspective. The album itself features versions of Pama Intl’s anti-knife/gun anthem ‘Highrise’ by a variety of artists, including the legend from Studio One, Dennis Alcapone, West Ham fan (I had to get that in) Billy Bragg, Michie One, Wrongtom, G.Corp, Mungos Hi Fi, and Banana Clan protege Jimmy Screech. The title track High Rise is more than reminiscent of Cherry Oh Baby in the style of Brum's best UB40, initially featuring Michie One. It's treated to four re-workings, all which stand up in there own right. The cleverly packaged album, dressed as a single has the versions as it's "a-side" and the b-side features 2 more tracks. The first, "No More Guns, Love Is Easy" kicks of with a version featuring Dennis Alcapone toasting over the soulful Finny's vocals. The G. Corp Dub then give it a mighty re-working, with an instrumental version of it either side of "Do They Ever Wonder" featuring the wicked vocal stylee of Jimmy Screech.
The album is more than a bog standard album for me. Living in Northumberland has more than the normal benefits I think of. It's got beautiful beaches, rugged country side, the friendliest people known to man, a top flight football team, top flight rugby team, ice hockey team, basketball team, speedway team, unreal nightlife, excellent shops .... I'll leave it there before you all try to move North and put house prices up! At the launch party I chatted to a young man who is a paramedic in East London. He told me that incidents of knifings didn't get reported that much as they're ten a penny in the Smoke! It was a frightening statistic to put together with what this album's all about. Coming from where I do and how we'll maybe hear about a couple or so a year made me feel very grateful for what we have in the North-East. Even so it would be a better place if we could reduce this even. Maybe by getting a copy of this album could be your way of contributing to the irradication of knife and gun crimes! The album will be in all good record shops on 2nd February’09 on Pama Intl’s own Rockers Revolt label, with proceeds going to a number of UK children’s charities including; Kids Company, London and Basement Studios, Bristol. Let's look at this proposition. You get an album of quality with yourmoney going to a very worth while cause. Nuff said - Get your copy sorted eh!
ED ROME - A LIFE IN MINUTES (Rockers Revolt - RRHITCD7) - reviewed by Ash
The album kicks off with an instrumental "The Way In" which brings back the hazy days of '73 to those who were there. My mate the Mighty Quinn (an original Skinhead) was gob smacked by its authenticity. "Mind" is up next with it's upbeat flavour where we first get to hear the Big Man growl at us in his own unique way. There's a clever instrumental to follow in "Private Person" where reggae almost meets flamenco."Thatcher's Children" is a great piece of story telling from the maestro that whips through at a pace with beautiful sax overlayed by Bella. For me one of the catchiest sounds of the album is next with "Nationality Speaks Softly", true Jamaican feel with an Essex accent. "What's Important" is a haunting number with minimalistic lyrics that strikes a chord (or two). There's a real old school feel to "Non Relationship Rant" with Bragg-esque lyrics and vocals from Ed. Maybe Ed's a West Ham fan too (I live in hope)! Jamie's dirty organ's kick in quickly on the next instrumental, "March", and this is followed by some well dirty guitar from Ed joined by the sax and all powered along by the rhythm section of Jim (drums) and Chris (bass). "Some Truth" is a ska feel track with more story telling lyrics from Ed and a great use of accordian, which is why I probably get the an aura of Dexy's when listening to it. "A Human Quality" is another brilliant instrumental in an old school style with brilliant organ from Jamie. Ed opens his mouth for the last time on this great album with "Take Me". For me, however, I found myself listening to the brilliantly innovative use of the guitar by Ed. It's testament to this multi-talented musician/song-writer that however many times I listen to this awesome debut album (and that's probably more than anything else in the last 6 months) that I find something new in it's production that pricks up my ears. The album closes is a similar style to it's opening with the instrumental "The Way Out".
I've been lucky enough to see Ed Rome and the Connectors three times performing this album and new material too. I can assure you that if you get the chance to see them you'll not be dissappointed. Ed Rome has a stage presence more than his 6'6" frame and The Connectors are som of the best musicians I've seen in a long while. They're "tighter than a gnat's chuff" and reproduce the high quality of this album live on stage with unassuming ease. So there's two musts - Buy the album via Rockers Revolt and get to see Ed Rome & The Connectors next time they're in a town near you!
NEW TOWN KINGS - THE SOUND OF THE NEW TOWN (Do The Dog Records - dogcd29) - reviewed by Ash
The album kicks straight in with a hint of The Specials as the boys blast into the ultra-catchy 'La-La World'. The signs of its instant appeal are obvious when my sons demand I play it again and sang along. Throughout the album the band goes on to draw it's influences from a broad spectrum of the ska scene from The Skatalites to The Slackers with a strong hint of 2-Tone. Lead singer Chris' ooh so soulful voice glides through the songs and is only promoted by the great brass section that the New Town Kings possess. My personal fave sound on the album is the awesome "Take Hold Of Me" where the silky smooth vocals are perfectly accentuated by an instrumental break by the horn section with understated brilliance. There's clever song writing throughout this strong debut album which stands out at its witty best with 'Somebody'. Since its release it's hardly a surprise to find that it's received so much airplay on the radio. For me it's up there as one of the best releases on the scene.
BIG HAND (New album) - reviewed by Tony E.
Somewhere between singing peasants in 'Fiddler On The Roof' and the trad ska of Prince Buster, a first listening of a Big Hand album is a strange experience for the uninitiated. The mid-eastern European feel of the vocals is floating on top of danceable reggae rhythms and the lonely trumpet adds a sad and eerie air to many of the songs. Listen again though and it's the uplifting feel of the songs that stays with you, and if you are lucky enough to have seen the band live, that's a word that can't be overused with the joy of being in an original wild dancing bear of a band coming through. You are caught in the steppes, around a campfire, with only mad gypsies and a passing villager to join you in a dance to drunken oblivion as the screams of the lonely trumpet drive you to dancing heart failure! How about it?….your feet wont say no!