Out of Nowhere

Hepcat | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 23, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hellcat Records
• ASIN: B0001CNQEO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,738 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 1990s Best Ska Album, January 24, 2005

By 

Marc A. Coignard (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Out of Nowhere (Audio CD)

I heard Hepcat's first release during the Ska revival that plagued MTV and pop-radio during the late 1990s, when people were force fed crap like Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake, being told how those bands were playing a type of Jamaican music made popular in the 1970s by British bands like The Specials and Madness. Man, comparing that Circus-Music to anything of the 2-Tone era is insulting enough, but putting it in the same category as classic Jamaican Ska and Reggae pioneers like Desmond Dekker (King of the Ska), Laurel Aitken (Godfather of Ska), and the Skatalites ('nuff said...) is an insult to those legends! Luckily, the Ska revival also brought forth bands of such respectability as The Slackers from New York and Hepcat from Southern California. Hepcat, since hearing this album (originally released on the now dead MoonSka NYC lable), has been my favorite ska band, ever! This album still stands as a testament to the vocal talents of Greg Lee and Alex Desert and the early songwriting talents of David Hillyard, who went along to join The Slackers. The group takes its cues not just from Jamaican music legends, but also American Jazz legends, paying tribute to the likes of Duke Ellington in thier music. One of the most soulful, beautiful, and dynamic albums I've ever heard, it is a must for anyone who loves Ska, and especially for Hepcat fans who were never able to find this album, as the MoonSka version (which I'm lucky enough to have a copy of) has been long out of print. Do yourself a favor--BUY THIS! The fact that you're reading this review shows you got taste...now prove it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a CLASSIC, rereleased, October 22, 2004

By 

Drew Dizzle (Yo Town, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of Nowhere (Audio CD)

This album is one of the greatest traditional ska albums ever. It came out once long ago, but the label they were on folded and it became unavailable. If you like any traditional ska, if you like hepcat, SHlT, if you like music in general, this is a great album. Many of today's 'traditional' bands do not retain the moody flavor of O.G. ska straight offa the island. Man, I paid 200$ for a plane ticket to see these guys, which was 10$ at the door. Also, Hepcat broke up, formed Dubcat with Long Beach Dub Allstars, then got back together again because of all the fans' heartbreak. So do em the honor of buying this, who knows it could be the last chance (again)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This could be the greatest traditional ska album of all time, June 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Out of Nowhere (Audio CD)

When first seeing Hepcat in college, I knew these fellows were destined for greatness. Perhaps "Out of Nowhere" is the closest thing to traditional ska in the past 10 years. Driven by the influence of blue, jazz, and most importantly ska legends like Prince Buster and the Skatalites, Hepcat is THE ska band to listen to. With relaxing ballads like Skaravan and Come Dance Wid' Me, Hepcat captures the best sounds of real Jamacian music. This album should be everyone's collection...whether you are a fan of jazz, ska, or just a fan of great music. Hepcat is diamond in the rough.