Ska Wars [IMPORT]

Various Artists - Alternative - 2nd & 3rd Wave Ska

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 1999)
• Original Release Date: March 16, 1999
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Import
• Label: Import [Generic]
• ASIN: B0000040LK
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #267,232 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Alternative Rock > Compilations > Second & Third Wave Ska

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Budget-priced 1995 release on Castle featuring 210 minutesof ska from the '60s, '70s & '80s. Each of the four CDs have16 tracks. The first three are studio recordings; the lastis a live compilation. Features Bad Manners, Judge Dread,The Selecter, Pauline Black, Special Beat, The Loafers andmany others. Comes packaged as four CDs in standardjewel cases within a slipcase.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Value, March 29, 1999

By A Customer

This is the best collection I've seen too lock in a strong collection of 2nd Wave Ska. It's all strong stuff. The draw back is if you alreadly own a lot of varity Ska CD's your going to get a LOT of duplication. I figure I alreadly have 1/3 to 1/2 the tracks on this collection in other Ska CD such as Ska-ville UK, SKAndalous, Dance Craze, Ska Down with Her and Runin Naked thru the Cornfield. Not to mention the orginal albums. But at the price who can knock 64 tracks and close to 4 hours of skanking Ska. This is your best buy if your new to Ska and not a bad buy if your a serious collector.

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Stars, but 2-Tone Ska is an "acquired taste", January 19, 2008

By	Shona "Miss Steady Rock" (Clairton, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Ok, first off, I'm curious as to why the editorial review says there are tracks from the 60s on here. I really don't think there are. This is a 4-disc set of pure, unadulterated 2-tone (or 2nd wave, as it's called nowadays) ska music. Actually, "UK ska" music. Prince Buster and Laurel Aitken (Jamaicans from the 1st wave of ska) do in fact contribute to the set; but on recordings made in the 70s with a 2-tone backing band.

I actually brought this set twice (because one of my exes took off with the first one). There were some differences in tracks and order between the two; although I do not remember what the differences where exactly. In both cases, I paid very little for this set brand new; which is amazing in that this is basically an import and you get loads and loads of music.

This set has some great songs by Maroon Town (it's hard to find their stuff...although they're very good), some chart hits from the Selecter (like "On My Radio", "Missing Words" {live} and "Three Minute Hero" {live}), as well as some other treats like "Return of the Ugly" by Bad Manners, "Shame" by Big 5 and all of the Judge Dread tracks of course!

As expected, you get your share of filler on this set. But in my experience, when playing around people who know their ska; including the skinhead and mod crowds, this will start an all out sing-a-long...so be warned!

Two-tone ska is an acquired taste. It is not as musically interesting as the original Jamaican ska and is not as diverse as 3rd wave ska. In fact, if you had a keyboard, could toot on some horns, and sported a black suit with a pork pie hat, you could have been a ska sensation in the two-tone era. But it's danceable and fun...and "speaks" to subculture youth everywhere.

So if you are someone who is looking for just one comprehensive two-tone collection to set you straight, or you are looking for a cheap way to add some odd stuff into your music collection, this set is definitely recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Beat Moves The Feet, But Please Listen And Learn, December 19, 2006

By	Mr. Richard D. Coreno "Mr. C" (Berea, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Ska has broken down so many social barriers through great rhythms coupled with lyrics that oftentimes gave a worldly view to the political frustrations in the crowded city streets.

This collection is four disks with 64 tracks and clocks in at a whopping 210 minutes, with music from the 1960s to the 1980s. The fourth CD is live performances by a variety of artists, including the Big 5, International Beat, Special Beat and one of my favorites - The Selecter.

It is difficult to get a grasp on the historical - and continuing - impact of ska due to many bands during this time period being recorded on small labels, which has made it virtually impossible to find some material on CD's.

At the list price and for its comprehensiveness, Ska Wars is a great beginning for those who want to groove to the beat for the first time or for fans looking to make a wise purchase for their collection.