Customer Reviews

Ball of Fire

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sweet instrumental reggae with fierce horn and guitar solos throughout. This music speaks volumes despite lacking vocals. The sound quality is awesome, jams are all over, and whether you are new to the Skatalites or not, this album is a must have. Track 5, Rock Fort Rock, is single-handedly nasty enough to warrant the five star rating. If you like this stuff, which you will, get your hands on the hard-to-find double "Stretching Out" as soon as possible.

My ears have listenened to a lot of things including saturday afternoon IRIE-FM, the thing the average Jamaican is given. This album represents the class and style that someone (god bless their soul) has the sense to preserve and disseminate to the masses. Listen to Earnest Ranglin. JAH People live. Ken

there's that kid sitting at his desk, laughing his arse off reading your comments. he can't be serious, he just can't be!
now this recording offers you some of the finest the skatalites recorded since their reunion. featuring special guest ernest ranglin on guitar (check his duet with devon james on "rock fort rock", the skatalites give you a great rendition of a nice assortment of classics. there are crowd favourites such as "eastern standard time", with will clark nicely throwing in a few don drummond quotes, or "latin goes ska" with roland alphonso at his best.
this is a must have for every ska fan and a good start if you want to get into the music!

I have a problem with the reveiwer who ignorantly thinks the ska movement was started by bands like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Operation Ivy. Are you kidding me - if it weren't for The Skatalites bands like the bosstones and op ivy would still be at home figuring out what to do with their time. THE SKATALITES ARE SKA, my man - look it up in the books - check out the history of the music - Bob Marley's earliest recordings were ska recordings - than they progressed to rock steady and finally to reggae - ska has been around since the 50s - so don't try and say it was born in the 90s....

Skatalites are at the forefront of the music. 4 stars for being originators.

If you're looking for a upbeat, mellow, grooving instrumental ska album that is true to its First Wave roots, this is a great album!

Tradtional ska beats the others no question. 'James Bond Theme' is the song that made me, along with others, want to become rudeboys. I suggest checking out 'Foundation Ska' by the same artist as well.

I have no use for ska as it is currently packaged and played, but this album rocks! I got turned on to this CD after I picked up on Ernest Ranglin. There ain't nothin' like the old masters!

this cd is great i got it a while ago and the beats are very catchy dont look for anything fast here just mellow music for that sunny drive home or impress your friends with your vast music knowledge. this is a great cd

Ha, thinking that the Mighty Mighty Bosstones invented ska, and the fact that you are from Chi-town, stating that makes you even more ignorant. Chicago had a huge ska following until it faded from the trend a few years back. I was in utter shock to go see The Toasters at The Metro and there was absolutely no one there. If the Bosstones invented ska then what are The Specials considered, and trust me they were around long before the bosstones took up plaid and danced on stage. Even more so The Skatalites, who got their start in the early 60s, which set the stage for the upbeat sound we all enjoy dancing too. I mean if you sit down and listen to the Skatalites for ten seconds you can even pick out the beat, seriously how dumb can you be? If you listen to more modern traditional ska bands such as Hepcat and The Slackers you can see where they get their influence from. This album is just plain out amazing, with horns and a beat spot on. This is something to pop into your car's stereo and just chill to as you drive down I-80, better yet to pop in at home and possibly dance or just bob your head, I love this album!

Ball Of Fire is an incredible CD, loved by ska fanatics and casual listeners alike. The extended jazzy arrangements allow the Skatalites room to breathe, the easy pace induces a good feeling, and the overall effect is like two weeks in the tropics. Highest recommendation!