Customer Reviews

Ska Voo Vee

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

 

 

Have the Skatalites ever had an inadequate recording? Whether you are an old fan or are just discovering ska and the Skatalites, Ska Voovee should be part of your collection. The horns are great and the images evoked by the selections are simply fabulous, especially the tribute to Japanese ska. Ska Voovee is a tightly drawn but humourous look at themselves and their music as it spans the decades from Fifties/Sixties to the present and goes global. Don't be without it.

THIS IS A GREAT CD TO LISTEN TO ,IT MAKES YOU WANT TO DANCE AND JUST GETS YOU IN THE MOOD FOR SKA,DON'T PASS THIS CD UP A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR COLLECTION-FIVE STARS IS JUST NOT ENOUGH TO RATE THIS CD-10 STARS OFF TE RICHTER SCALE

Another stellar effort from the original kings of ska--the skatalites just keep getting better with age! Of all the Skatalites albums I've listened to(Foundation Ska, Ball of Fire, Stretching Out, and this one), this one is by far my favorite, for three reasons: 1) great horn solos, maybe the best I've heard on any of their albums, and a good balance between sax, trumpet, and trombone solos. 2) The songs on this album are never too repetitive--some songs on their other albums have a tendency to repeat the same chord over and over again ad nauseum, but you won't find that here. 3) The overall ensemble sound on this record is superb. Similar to Ball of Fire, but with better(less repetitive) songs and more and better solos.

This album is a good, fairly typical offering from one of the greatest bands in ska. With a number of classy songs themed around various locations and several other strong tracks (policewoman, etc.) this is a good album for new or veteran fans. Plus, as a special bonus, the Skatalites are joined by the super-excellent jazz trombonist Steve Turre, who guests with jazzy ska bands from time to time. Not their best album, but a great one. I'd also recommend Skamania, if you like this, or Foundation Ska if you are looking for a more complete overview or retrospective type album.

This was the first Skatalites album I picked up, and it is great instrumental ska! Nuff said. I came up in the midst of the New Wave (2nd Wave) ska, being a big fan of The Specials, The English Beat, Madness, The Selecter, Bad Manners, and even the derivatives UB40 and General Public. I'm also a huge reggae fan. Everybody knows about reggae -- particularly Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, The Wailers, Toots & The Maytals, Burning Spear, Aswad, etc. Well this is the band which backed up the Wailers on their first #1, "Simmer Down"! The Skatalites are to ska music what The Beatles are to the British Invasion, what Little Richard is to rock & roll, what the Ramones (or, arguably, The Who) are to punk. They are the originators, the innovators, the ones who combined different influences into a new genre. Today's newer ska bands (i.e., Bosstones) are simply punk bands on amphetamines with a horn section. THE SKATALITES ARE THE REAL DEAL. Buy everything they have available, and this is an excellent place to start.