Reggae & Ska > 2 Tone Ska Reggae & Ska

Advantages: inteligent varied original
Disadvantages: their last record as a group

...debut album "Specials",but had even more greatness thrust upon them by an over expectant music press and ravenous fan base all eager for more of their punk/ska riotous rapture ,however in the spirit of true greatness and wanton defiance they delivered "More Specials" in the autumn of 1980,and in direct conflict to its title could well have been called "Less Specials " In the twelve months which had elapsed between their debut and this daring follow ...
...and movements allowing for a more tolerant musical enviroment free from the confines of punks tunnel vision and it was into this climate the genius of Jerry Dammers was allowed to thrive unchecked ,a youth mispent listening to samba ,ska ,soul , calypso,disco and film soundtracks was finally put to good use . The resulting sound was so far ahead of its time that some people never caught up,it condensed and distilled the sound of a United Kingdom ... Read review

Advantages: Great beats, great lyrics, brilliant songs - all hits
Disadvantages: Couple of songs not so hot

...on the album. 06 - Best Friend, good song, yet another chart hit, but just average compared to the rest of the album. 07 - Rankin Full Stop - this is the first song I heard by The Beat many years ago and is a brilliant ska beat. Should bring back lots of memories. 08 - Can't Get used To Losing You - one of their more main stream songs, brilliant love song, amazing how many can be done with ska and not feel wrong, great beat and vocal combo. 09 ...
...average than some of their best stuff, but considering everyone song on the album was a hit...its not bad. 11 - To Nice To Talk To - great song - a reminder how stupid I used to feel as a teenage when faced with someone I had a crush on. 12 - Doors Of Your Heart - my favourite song on the album, great lyrics, vocals and music arrangement, explains why it was a hit. Starts with what feels like a love song, but leads into querying racism, and ends ... Read review

Advantages: A brilliant collection of one of the greatest ever ska bands
Disadvantages: your own faveourites might be missing.

The Selecter are one of the best, and yet understated Ska Bands of the late 70's and 80's. They have a unique sound that is quite different from other ska music that was around at the same time such as one of the most famous ska bands 'The Specials'. The Selecter combine the off-beat sound of two-tone ska with the unique and brilliant voice of Pauline Black to create a great outcome. If you have not heard of the sound of Ska it might be described ...
...are Madness. Up beat, happy and 'dancable'. The band have been inspirational to many famous modern artists such as Gwen Steffani, and were invited to tour with No Doubt as support. Basment Jaxx have also covered the famous hit 'On My Radio' as an album track. This album is a 'best of' collection and comrises of all of the memorable hits that are still played around the country at various venues when the Selecter tour. The songs include, 'On My ... Read review

Advantages: Catchy, listenable and memorable
Disadvantages: Its quite short and difficult to get hold of.

I had herd the Single Celebrate the Bullet on a live ska revival album I liked it so much I download the studio album version and it was great, so I decided to take a chance on the whole album. It seems to be one of those rare albums where I like every single track. The album has a good start with Facing Situations, an upbeat Ska track, things then get even better with the funky sounding Deep Water. The next two tracks are of equally high quality ...
...next is the title track Celebrate the Bullet an anti war song with one of the best guitar and bass riffs I have herd for a long time. After this you are treated to Selling Out Your Future is another very track with its own more reggae sound and a mixture of vocals from both Pauline Black and and another male vocalist (Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson?) It has a slightly eary feel to it but the next track Cool Blue Lady will bring you back up to speed a ... Read review

Advantages: Amazing songs, wonderful music
Disadvantages: None

...ex Ravishing Beauty Nicky Holland, Waiting offered a series of strong songs convincingly played in a wide variety of styles, from uptempo tracks like We’re Having All The Fun to reflective pieces such as Things we Do. The album also gave the group a number 10 hit single with Tunnel Of Love. The Fun Boy Three had been a major debut, but Waiting was a massive step forward, establishing them as a major force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, they ... Read review