Reggae & Ska > T Reggae & Ska > Ska > 2 Tone Ska

Advantages: Great fun, well constructive songs that make you wanna dance
Disadvantages: Some may argue that it lacks varity. I don't!

Hailing from the Big Apple the Toasters are a band that, despite having been around since around the early-mid 1980's, have a pretty small following here in the U.K. With this review of their wonderful album "Skaboom!" I hope to change that just a little. The Toasters formed off the back of the 2nd wave of ska music which was created and popularised by the British two-tone exponents like the Specials, the Selector and Madness who blended the music ...
...It was in these bands that the Toasters found the sound which has served them well over their two decade career. As with many ska bands the toasters are member heavy with as many as 10 members gracing their ranks at any one time and a massive 14 musicians contributing to "Skaboom!". The original version of this album was their first LP, featuring 11 tracks, and was released in 1987. The version that I review here today is a re-release of that LP ... Read review

Advantages: Good music, reggae brought back to a roots sound
Disadvantages: None

Live at Stubb's is Matisyahu's 2nd album and his 1st live album recorded at Stubbs in Austin, Texas. It was released in February, 2005 by JDubRecords. If you are not familiar with Matisyahu, he's an intriguing chap, a New York Jew (Matisyahu is the Yiddish pronunciation of Matthew), who dresses in the traditional clothing of a Hasidic Jew and doesn't perform on the sabbath. He spent several years taking hallucinogens and touring with the rock band ...
...Matisyahu Miller - Vocals Roots Tonic: Aaron Dugan - Guitar Josh Werner - Bass Guitar Johan David - Drums Yoni - MC (on Beat Box) Beat Box is a particularly good song but I liked them all and it works well as it's a live concert. ... Read review

Advantages: It's the Specials!
Disadvantages: One or two tracks not so good.

...folk this song epitomizes the specials, old style reggae Ska, bouncy bass line, trumpets, simple guitar riff and constant, steady drumming. The ultimate get up and move tune, everyone mouthing the words and understanding them, what a great track, still brings back great memories. My 13 year old son who is into thrash metal even likes this. 9/10. 2. Do The Dog Much more percussion and synthesizer, modern Ska, more energetic, more of a dance tune. ...
...we start to hear Terry Hall make his mark vocally on the band, lots of electric guitar too. Personally I think Mr. Hall 'whines' a bit in a Midlands way on this track. 6/10. 4. Nite Klub Love the trumpet use in this track and the almost urgent use of drums, Terry Hall vocals again, yet this time much more suited to the song which, you guessed it, is about a Night Club. Quite like this, though a little away from what I would consider Ska. 7/10. ... Read review

Advantages: Everything
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

Great music, great singer, great lyrics!! Has his very own style ever since this first album of his. His music is a unique mix of reggae and ska with some soul, funk, jazz and hip hop elements in it. Career Patrice Bart-Williams was born in a small town near Cologne, Germany, in 1979 and started to make music when he was 12 years old. He played in several bands until he joined the label 'Yo Mama' and accompanied Lauryn Hill on her tour through ...
...in 2000. Since then he has published four other albums (How do you call it, Silly Walks Movement meets Patrice, Nile & Free-Patriation). Songs Most of the songs on 'Ancient Spirit' criticise the society and the 'system'. I've written down one or two lines out of each song to make you understand Patrice's attitude - however, you have to listen to the full song to actually realise, how great his lyrics are! 1. Everyday Good Patrice's hymn to life ... Read review

Advantages: Pretty much the best of Bob Marley.
Disadvantages: A couple of his earlier tracks could have been included.

...and the first release of Legend was in 1984. 10 platinum albums later, having been on vinyl, cassette, and CD it remains the biggest selling album of it's genre (well I couldn't find any bigger) and arguably the greatest set of Marley songs on one album. The album was 'remastered' in 2002 and two more tracks from the original 14 were added; 'Easy Skanking', in my opinion a great addition, with some very cool lyrics, Marley at his laid back best, ...
...travesty to include this. As there are 16 tracks I am going to dispense with my normal way of reviewing albums or there will be something approaching a dissertation, instead I will pick, in my opinion the top 3 tracks and tell you why. ~~~~~~~~~~**Track List**~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Is This Love 2. No Woman, No Cry 3. Could You Be Loved 4. Three Little Birds 5. Buffalo Soldier 6. Get Up, Stand Up 7. Stir It Up 8. Easy Skanking 9. One Love/People Get Ready ... Read review