Reggae & Ska > Rock Steady Reggae & Ska

Advantages: great selection of artists and classics
Disadvantages: one track a bit samey

Ali Campbell's Running Free is a great mixture of songs featuring some equally as talented artists. What a brilliant CD to be given. "' Why this CD?'" I have been a big fan of UB40 since the age of 14yr and own some of their orginal albums on vinyl. For those too young to remember - those black things that came in 2 sizes 45" and 33" and when put onto a turn table played crackling, sorry cracking, sounds. I was given this Album by one of my daughters ...
...magically around the octaves of Running Free with Ali reflecting both perfect pitch and fast rhythms. What a beautiful version of this classic. (4 mins) Ali's solo of Hold Me Tight is one of my favourites of the whole CD. For all UB40 fans this is the 'real good old stuff' that take you back to when the gang appeared on Top of the Pops. Reggae beats keeping that constant flow with interjections of Ali's powerful harmony pleadings and 'baba babas'. ... 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: great quick riffs
Disadvantages: none

...considering the consistent final album Boxing clever. this album exemplifies ska, by the fact that when you listen to it, the short, quick guitar riffs, get you jumping and skanking to the beat. Despite this the approach to their music is different to general ska as it incorporates more of a punk slant on ska. this is done by the singer, somehow managing to fit lots of words into a short space!! and in places using a heavy voice without ever screaming. ... Read review