The radiation Kings are the latest signing to Stubborn Records, led by Lisa White the NYC ska band are currently one of Django's favourites, so much so he produced the album down at Version City. Strangely for a Trad ska band they only have one full time Brass member, Andrew Gibson on sax, luckily Django, Jason Glaser and Michael Loren LaValle add a fuller sound to the band, although the Kings do have a organ and piano player.

Very much in the style of The Slackers, Studio one and early reggae the RK's fit in well with the new Trad Ska breed.
To prove there qualities The Radiation Kings have released some stonking material on their first album entitled "Early Years". The variety of influences in their music like jazz, Traditional ska and Reggae really makes you want to get down and dance. In between the luscious vocals from the talented Lisa White there a quite a few solo's from the brass section of the group.

'Murder' is an excellent '60's ska opener and along with the instrumental "Gin & tonic", would not be out of place on a Hepcat album.
'Spending time' is a 70's styled reggae number,
Best tracks on the album have to be  "Number 6", (which is actually track 5)a laid back rocksteady number that again shows off the vocal talent of Lisa White, " NYC Blues", with its nice drum break and the trumpet played by guest star Jason Glaser is a good extra to a brilliant song.

"Can't find a way ", has a very '70's sounding reggae beat ala "Police & Thieves", its followed on by the instrumental version called "Dub me away".
"Dem Try " and "This I know" are the most lively songs on the album, both of which I really like, "dem try"  has very catchy singalong vocals and "this I know" has a cool sax part, similar to Alphaskools 'Rhinestone'. Both tracks are a change from the more relaxed other material.

"Messenger" is a Harry J. Styled semi-instrumental and the album finishes with 'Thank you' a slow ska beat with repeated vocals, and sax insertions.
The Radiation Kings are the kind of band you'd expect to find in a backstreet bar down in New York City or in a small venue in Chicago. This band deserve and get respect from the NYC ska scene and you can see why with this good debut album. For cool laid back listening.
Stubborn Records.
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Rancid - Life Won’t Wait.
4 out of 5.

Rancid’s 4th offering, shows them playing more Ska than on previous albums, the most Tim & Matt have played since being in Operation Ivy.
Of course theirs pure punk on show, but like ‘...And out come the wolves’ the best songs are the skanking Ska tracks mixed with punk, ‘Time bomb’, ‘Old Friend’ are matched by ‘Hoover Street’, ‘Life won’t wait’ and ‘Hooligans’. Tracks like ‘Warsaw’ and ‘Turntable’ line up along side the great ‘Roots Radicals’, ‘Side Kick’ and ‘let’s go’. Unfortunately their are some not so brilliant tracks, like ‘Cash culture and violence’ and ‘The wolf’ on the album, which reads like an all star cast of who’s who in Ska/punk today.

The album starts with a minute intro of blasting punk with a thudding bass line and spoken word from the “bakunin on Anarchism” book.
‘Bloodclot’ is the first proper song on the album and was the first single released, this punk Rock track, won’t go down as one Rancid’s great moments but it’s an alright track, with the “hey-ho’s provided by Howie Pyro and Marky Ramone.
Thankfully the excellence that we’d been waiting for , for over 3 years arrives with help from Ex No Doubt keyboard man Eric Stefani and backing vocals by Hepcat’s Greg Lee and Alex Dessert.

‘Black Lung’ returns the punk back to ‘life won’t wait’, about working 9 to 5, one of the two guitars is belting out a riff similar to The Who’s ‘I Can’t explain’ via The Clash’s ‘Clash City Rockers’.  Not quite up with the Cid’s punk  classics but good nevertheless.

‘Life won’t wait’ the title track, does rank alongside Tim & Co.’s best. Showcasing reggae toasting from Tim and one of the master’s himself Buju Banton, with organ from the Slackers Vic Ruggerio, who appears on quite a few tracks, and co-writes some. ‘Life Won’t wait’ is an excellent piece of organ driven Ska with great toasting.
‘New Dress’ is a lightish punk number featuring the Slacker Marq Lynn, the guitar only really kick on the verse.
‘Warsaw’ is a much better offering, this 1 minute 30 output is a classy catchy fast punk song
‘Hooligans’ sound a bit like The Specials B-side ‘Rude bouys outa jail’ But then it does have The Specials Lynval Golding, Neville staples and guitar from Roddy Byers, three of the orignal members who still play in the Two-Tone band. Like classic Specials mixed with classic Rancid, this is one of the best on the album.

‘Crane Fist’ has Victor ruggiero’s  organ skank over a slow number, with spoken exerts from the “bakunin on Anarchism” book and Lars’ vocals, overall it’s a little disappointing.
‘Leicester Square’ goes along the same lines as ‘Bloodclot’ but is a bit lighter and slower.
‘Backslide’ see the introduction of Slackers Mark Mullins and Dave Hillyard joined with Jamil Sharif for the horns and along with Vic on keys this is a excellent and catchy Ska/punk effort.
‘Who Would’ve Thought’ is a one of the best tracks Rancid have made this melodic/punky bass filled number sees Tim singing at his best.
‘Cash, culture and violence’ is a guitar-lite punk number that only gets going during the chorus. Dicky Barrett of the Bosstones appears but doesn’t add that much to the song, only a few growling words.
‘Cocktails’ is a bit better, the Ska/punk harmonica effort works better than the not so catchy punk numbers on the album.
‘The wolf’ is an OK punk number, sang by Lars. As good as say ‘The Wars end’ and ‘As wicked’, so an alright punk number but not the best on the album.

‘1998’ is a better punk track, giving you reminders of  The Clash’s White riot b-side ‘1977’, not only with the title but the riff. Rancid manage to show that they can still produce top punk, if not wholly original.
With so many Clash influences and references throughout their career, we should of perhaps expected an album with not as many high class songs as ‘.. And out come the Wolves’ (London Calling) but an album of more differing style with differing quality levels. (Sandinista)

Both The Clash’s and Rancid’s third efforts were known as their best (although some may argue The Clash’s debut was there best offering) and their fourth albums have offered a mix of styles. So much so that ‘Lady Liberty’ is similar to The Clash’s ‘Junkie slip’ from ‘Sandinsta’. If you just speed ‘Junkie slip’ up a bit and make it a bit harder, you have something very similar.
‘Wrongful suspicion’ is something more original and benefits more for it, the horns and Vic are back for a track even better than their previous collaboration ‘Backslide’.
‘Turntable’ is possibly the best track on the release, the fast punky number, is catchy sing along track which sees Simon Chardiet get another lead guitar job, fresh from work with The Slackers.
The run of top tracks continues with ‘Something in the world today’, another punk number that has Lars on lead and has Roger Miret joining in for the boisterous ending.

‘Corazon de oro’ could also stake a claim for the best album track, the number has Tim going on about looking for a girl with the heart of gold, over a Ska/punk guitar and organ rhythm.
The run of excellent tracks continues to the end With Steel drum/punk/Ska tune ‘Coppers’, this track has Rancid combining vocals with reggae/toasting  vocals from Dr. Israel for a celebratory plea to end fighting  that ends to the album.
This is Rancid’s most varying album to date, and if the album only had, say 12 tracks, ‘Hoover street’, ‘Life won’t wait’, ‘Warsaw’, ‘Hooligans’, ‘Backslide’, ‘Who would’ve thought’, ‘1998’, ‘Wrongful suspicion’, ‘Turntable’ ‘something in the world today’, ’corazon de oro’ and ‘coppers’ It would get 5 out 5 and be the album of year, but due to Rancid and punks nature of offering value for money, it’s slightly let down by a disappointing few tracks and has about 6 extra average-to-good punk numbers.

Of course the excellent tracks out number the bad ones easily, and the in between tracks are still fairly good. The album still definitely worth getting, just don’t expect all the tracks to stand out.
Epitpah Records.
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Ruby Throat - Hit by Pavement.
2 1/2 out of 5.

This London band, mix a darker Two-Tone sound, with cockney vocals, sounding something like Ian Dury singing with Gangster Fun, with jazz brass sounds, the first track ‘Hit by Pavement’  is a pretty good effort.
Second track, is a slow ballardy, piano track, which is very weird and sound like Clive Dunn’s Grandad!
With intervening jazzy brass work.
‘Mamma’ is a creepy, drum pounding track with whispering vocals and eerie cello playing.
The upbeat cockney sound of the first track returns with ‘posh’ sounding like an Ian Dury track, this is more of a Pub rock track than Ska, but its still OK.
This band mix the dark side of Ska with jazz brass, they certainly have got their own unique sound, but you’d expect them to had their own sound with band members playing the cello, sax, trumpet, keyboard, drum and a vocalist
Jamdown Records.
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Runforyerlife - “Runforyerlife”.
4 / 5.

“10 out of 10 and a gold star”, “I know I recommend a lot of stuff but everyone should try a slice of runforyerlife. Its the most successful multi-hybrid I’ve ever heard” - Mad Not Mad#3.

OK you can obviously tell Ian Taylor, editor of Mad Not Mad really likes this album, either that or he’s trying to impress

Kelly lead singer of the band ‘cos he fancies her. The latter is my guess. Actually the album is class, there’s stuff for everyone from groovy acid jazz, to thrashy ska/punk with a hint of hip hop thrown in.

Now I must admit I'm not the biggest jazz/ska fan, Unsteady are ok I suppose, but this is upbeat powerful stuff with an infectious brass sound.
Like Jason says in the interview in this issue, the band approach songs from a jazz style. So songs like “tanktop” , “spy” and the wicked instrumental “crinkle”  all include brass solos which are pretty good.
“Pb & J” has a brilliant jazz horn break, which worth buying Jump Ups “smash your radio” sampler for.
“Te vi” has a really infectious brass intro and horn break, but being from more of a punk background my fav’s are the harder more aggressive songs like “adoline”, “hand that feeds”, “heard and not seen” and “4am fight song”. The latter has a ace rapped style chorus by trombone man Jim plus a lush brass line.

“Heard and not seen' has singer Kelly singing about wanting to be treated like a woman and getting respect. This fast paced songs ends the album in brilliant crescendo of trashy punk and jazzy horns.

My only problem is that some of the jazzy solos go on for a bit, but it got plenty on cool jazzy hooks to keep any “punk 2 minute song” fan happy. “Runforyerlife” is well worth getting just for all the infectious jazzy brass parts and jazz style vocals not to mention the punkish guitars on a number of tracks.
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Shootin Goon - Splottside rocksteady.
3 out of 5.

When I first got this album I was a bit disappointed, 'cos both times I'd seen Shootin Goon they absolutely rocked, so I was surprised when the album turned out to be not nearly as heavy as there live gigs. After a while you get used to the lighter guitar and learn to appreciate the brasslines more.

The welsh 7 piece have been around for three years and this is their first proper release, so you could've said that Moon Ska Europe had taken a bit of a risk on them. Thankfully this debut effort shows the risk was worth taking, as long as Moon can get the album across to the seemingly depleting number of UK ska fans.
Most of the stuff on this album is not full on ska/punk it's more fast paced ska with great backing from the brass trio of Dan, James and Tom.

"Rick loves Jo" gets the album of to a stomping start the horns lead throughout the offbeat verse and punked up chorus. "Bradley" is a better worked tune and its more structured as well as being slightly more infectious, even if some of the lyrics and rhymes are a bit weak. "Don't be so dumb, be good at sums, try something new like sucking on your thumb".

"Back again" is one of the goons best moments, the brass on the chorus makes not only the song but the band stand out.
With "prove yourself" it show the band can pen a half decent punk tune and finally James' voice get to take centre stage as there's no brass at the forefront to overshadow his 100% effort vocals.

There's a more ska-core feel with "Changes", the horns blast away rather than pumping out a melodic tune. The best two songs are left to the end. "Plain to see" gets the balance just right whilst most tracks aren't quite as punky or catchy, this hits the nail right on the ska/punk head. Its fast ska, its punk, its easy to sing along too and its even got a bridge where the horns borrow the superman riff.
The bands 14th and final effort is a cover of "YMCA" which works really well as this tune is really suited to being covered by a ska/punk band. The horns replicate the songs powerful tune and it's excellent to skank in the pit too. The band really manage to keep the fun element as well as punking up the song.

Although a lot of Shootin' Goon's songs have well worked horn riffs a few of them don't really catch on and they seem to pass by without notice. Its only the like of "Bradley", "Back again" and the fast skanked "Wotini", "plain to see" and the cover of "YMCA" that you find yourself remembering.
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Skapone - Bold New Flavor.
2 1/2 out of 5.

The six piece consists of  John Mark Calahan, (vocals/bass) Jim Strezewski (Drums) Link Seabrook,  (Guitar/vocals/keyboards) Mitch Goldman , (Trumpet/vocals) and Al Goldman (Trombone) and Jason Duerr. (Bari Saxophone)

“Bold new flavor” opens with “So Bad” a Two-Tone number, with rap delivered verses and a catchy singalong chorus. The song is intersected with the horns from the Skapone brass trio.
“Blind Faith” is the most punky number on the album, the track’s verse has a fairly pacy distorted
guitar riff, with a slow skanking chorus and a horn backed pre-verse rap.

The bass led track “Guns and steeples” is about religious cults and  people mixing guns with religion, with the line “Call out the militia to save use, so we don’t end up like Waco, Texas” the track leads into another catchy 2-tone chorus.
7 out of the album’s ten tracks are written by bass and vocalist John Mark Calahan, but  one of the best tracks is one of the two tracks penned by Link Seabrooks.  Both Seabrooks tracks  “Samantha Clench-Private eye” and “Breakfast”  are upbeat and have quirky lyrics, with hooky brass bits.
“Samantha Clench private eye” is the better of these two tracks. The guitar and brass lick is a well used tune and makes the upbeat swing Ska tune the finest song on the album. “Breakfast” is probably as good as get for a song about bacon and eggs !

“45 magnum” is a laid back punky/Ska number, of which the best bit is the brass hook, which is played pre-verse.
The brass driven “Cold war” is a slower number, which relies on two riffs.
Trumpet man Mitch Goldman takes lead vocals on “Armed and dangerous” a track which he wrote himself, this is a slow Ska/dub track which fails to ignite but has a decent  horn line and trumpet solo as well as Mitch’s hissing like vocals “Armed and dangeroussssssssssss”
 “Momma” is a more upbeat track about a mother whose been having an affair. The choruses F-word is drowned out by the trumpet.
The 33 minute album end with a track called 8 minutes which is actually only  4 minutes. It’s about reading of tragedy happening every minutes. The music is unlike the subject, as it’s as upbeat as most of the tracks.
Overall the album isn’t outstanding but is an entertaining half an hour of Ska.
Jump Up Records.
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The Skatalites Vs. Laurel Aitken - The clash of the Ska Titans.
3 out of 5.

Laurel Aitken teams up with the ska kings the Skatalites for a 11 doses of pure ska.
The album features Laurel's classics such as "its too late", "Bad minded woman" and "I love you". As well as cover of "Same old song", Lord Tanamo's "come down" and "in the mood for ska".

The album came about after Laurel toured with Skatalites during the summer splash tour in 1996. Laurel would play with his band then come on for the end of Skatalites set.
During the tour the two acts recorded some tracks in London as well as taping some of the tunes from an Amsterdam concert. The result is this classy CD of two fine acts.

"Its too late", "Bad minded woman" and "I love you" are great Laurel tracks and fans who own the originals will lap these re-records up, but its also great for newer ska fans to get hold of some of Laurel's top tunes. "Same old song" is a classy cover. The Pietasters did a good version on their Moon Ska album, but The Skatalites and laurel keep it traditional but it's still just as catchy.

"Come down" goes down really well live, the bouncy skank along song really takes you back to the early days of ska. For some reason this album features both a live and studio version, which with only 11 track seems a bit strange. Perhaps the two act only recorded or practiced 10 songs together?

"Summertime" is a slower Aitken composed track. Its more dub sounding than ska, something you don't really associate the Godfather of Ska with. The Skatalites do a good job with music making it sound distant and echo-ey. "rude boy dreams" is more upbeat tune not a classic but the skins will still enjoy skanking along to it.

"Sugar, sugar" is another live track that features the delightful vocals of Doreen Shaffer, the organ solo's not band either.
The album finishes with The Skatalites' "Confucious". A typically paced beat from Lloyd Brevette and Lloyd Knibb as well as cool brass solos. Although the majority of the album sees Laurel take the limelight the forefathers get their chance for the finale.

Overall the album's highlights for me are the best known Laurel Aitken songs and the really well worked covers.
Moon Ska Europe.
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The Slackers - Better late than Never.
4 1/2 out of 5.

While your at your indie shop you could do no better than buying the slackers Moon ska debut from 1996.
The work rate of the Slackers amazes me, if an album in ‘96, ‘97 and ‘98 wasn’t enough they go and work on other projects such as Dave Hillyard Rocksteady 7, sic & mad, version city and Stubborn all stars. Are these guys in the studio 24/7 ?
‘Better late than never’ features the now departed Jeff ‘Django’ baker, Eric singer and victor rice has time to produce the album.
There are some good tracks on the album but its not as good as the rocksteady orientated ‘redlight’ or ‘the question’. But it does have some great upbeat sing along ska songs. ‘Sarah’, ‘you don’t know I’, ‘treat me good’ and ‘tonight’ all make it worth the buying.
‘Prophet’, ‘run away’ and ‘sooner or later’ are all good, as is ‘pedophilia’ (the song that is !) as Dave hillyard goes of on one of his mesmersing sax solos.
‘Work song’, ‘cuban cigar’ and ‘contemplation’ are all OK instrumentals and the Doreen Schaeffer, from studio one pops in to do vocals on ‘our day will come’. Overall a very good album which displays the excellent songwriting skills of messers Hillyard and Ruggerio.
Moon Ska Records.
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Softball - Softball.
4 out of 5.

The all Japanese girl band that Mike Park of Asian Man Records has being going on about for the majority of '99. Finally put out their debut 4 track. A sample of what's to come with the release of their debut LP in March.
Overall its very impressive, lots of good punky riffs, bubblegum pop lyrics.
Very catchy 2 minute punk-pop songs. "Capricious" is an excellent track and painter" is very good too, although it sounds a bit Operation Ivy-ish.
Think of Keneckie's "punka", being done by a Japanese band who really liked early rancid!
Asian Man Records.
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The Splitters -International Smugglers.
4 out of 5.

The Leicester based ska crew return with their second album, which features more brass filled ska tunes with rough edge diamond vocals as well as ventures into dub and techno ska!

International Smugglers follows on from the band's debut "Rock or Riot". Although "Rock or Riot" had some excellent dance floor ska tunes, (the likes of "last bus to Barwell), "Blue line order" and "power play") the band's sophomore album is a lot more consistent and has better all round crafted songs.  Not to mention far superior production (Gaz Birtles who's produced stuff for the Beautiful South is the man behind the mixer on this release) and improved CD artwork and design.

The CD kicks gets off to a storming start with "Wykin Airport", this is what the splitters do best, a horn led track with impromptu orders from "Captain" Braidley.
"Look away" is one of the best tracks on the album a uptempo swing style ska song that you find hard to resist tapping your feet too. Steve on trumpet gets chance to solo and the addition of the keyboard work well.

"Fat punk" sees Specials Guitarist Roddy Byers make his debut on CD for the band, on this slightly heavier ska number.
With Jay, (bass) Dr G (Guitar) and Fez (drums) the band keep a tight rhyhm through the album, but its really the brass duo of Steve and Drew (who also back Laurel Aitken in the UK) that make the splitters one of the top bands in the UK.
This is again proven on "In the end" as the brass lines really stick in your brain on this track that has a bit more of a traditional feel.

"Mindless" is a fast becoming a live favourite and this studio version will certainly help it become the floor filler in the bands live set. Another catchy horn line, sing along chorus and the rough cut delivered vocals.

There's two versions of "Sideline below" a dubby ska number that's not one of the best, but at least their not afraid to try different things.
"Just a game" is a bass heavy dubbed track that sees ska heard towards a more dance music direction.
The party atmosphere dies down a bit on the slower "fruit salad".

"Monsters in my mind" and "bouncing off the walls" are more like it, stomping ska tracks that make you hit the dance floor again.
Just in case that wasn't enough the band have re-recorded two classics from the first album "Smugglers" - now named "international smugglers" and "Crime time" - without the pressure drop outro. Braidley takes full control both songs vocals, replacing ex toaster Pat from the first album.

Overall there's 9 brass soaked skanking tracks where if you like the Specials version of "Guns of Navarone" or early Pietasters you'll lap up this ska party music.
Blue Line Order records.
WWW.Splitters.co.uk or write to : 22 Halifax Drive, Leicester, LE4 2GT. England.
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Spunge - pedigree chump.
3 / 5

The non stop touring Worcester band are one of the UK’s best chances of ska success in America, being signed to Moon Ska Europe means they also have a good chance of exposure over here as well so what's there debut album like then ?
Well its punk/pop/ska and Spunge go against the trend for a English band by not having any horn / keyboard players, just straight guitar/ bass/ drums sound.

Recorded in December ‘98 and Jan ‘99 its nothing new or a breakthrough in ska sound but it shows that UK bands can play ska/punk too.

The Thrasy/punk/ska of “roving eye” is the best track of the 12 on the album.
“Angel with a pint glass” is a slower track which is good.
“Lyrical content” and “kicking pigeons” (which has horns) are the better tracks, the rest are mid paced ok tracks.
Think Bakesy's mixed with DHC.

The bonus 5 track live CD quite good, the Proclamers "500 miles" is excellent, "pressure drop" is done on a ska/punk tip. "Roving eye" sounds pretty good live.
Plus there’s "freak" (live version of an album track) and a straight punk cover of SLF's  "alternative Ulster."
Moon Ska Europe.
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The Stand - Point Of View.
3 out of 5.

The Stand first appeared on Jump Up records' everything offbeat 2 sampler as Racecar, with a cool ska-pop male/female vocal song "I'm not waiting anymore"
Although Runforyerlife and DGB stole their thunder on the cheap comp. Racecar were definitely worth looking out for.
The band from Chicago have come back with a new name a slightly different line up and a more Hammond blues / soul style than their former ska-pop sound. "Point of view" takes a few listens to get used too as I was kinda  hoping for something like Racecar, but once you get used to the soulful sax and organ its a great release for the summer. (if the sun ever shines that is!)

This is a top album to get dancing too. (in the summer obviously!)  The twin male / female vocals of Ian Barnett and Megan Smith work really well especially on the opener "In motion" as well as "Bad ol days" and "There is my number".

"33" is an excellent soul stomping track with a wicked guitar and Sax solo.
"Bad ol days" keeps up the pace, featured on Jump Up's "Smash your radio 2" this is another stand -out (!!) track.

"Clouded" is a mid paced number, not to be played in the summer! And is followed by Conscience an excellent sax skanking song with emotional vocals and melodic guitar solo.
The cover of "beg, borrow & steal" is a catchy singalong track, punk-lite guitars with marauding sax and killer Hammond grooves. Smooth!
"Conscience" and "beg, borrow & steal" are the albums peaks and from then on in there's some good tracks but nothing as good. "Solution" bounces along nicely and "Quality control" has a decent chorus and sax part. Closer "Irene" is a rocking Hammond blues number that ends the release on a good note.

The best way to describe The stand is that they'd fit easily alongside Dexy's Midnight Runners and Runforyerlife.
Jump Up Records.
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Stubborn Allstars - Nex Music.
4 out of 5.

The Allstars 3rd release sees a more traditional rootsy sound brought into the Version city studios for Nex Music. Also there is less of an allstar cast than on the last album. OK, all the players on the album are from other bands but most of them feature on all the tracks. whereas with 'Back with a new batch' there were that many guest vocalist and musicians you couldn't work out who was in the band and who wasn't.
Anyway back are the regulars King Django, Agent Jay, Victor Rice, Vic Ruggerio, Headie O Campo, Lord Sledge as well as Roman Fleysher. (now with the Bosstones)
'Nex Music' is available direct from Stubborn Records, or via Grover Records in Germany. The Grover version (the one available in the UK and through Pulped) entitled 'at Version City' seems to have extra tracks and a different running order, but is likely to be just as good or probably better than Nex music.
Starting with 'Take your chances' Django kicks of in typical style, a cool ska/reggae tune with the King giving his words of wisdom as he does on so many tracks, this is up there with anything produced from the Stubborn stable.
'From time to time' is a foot tapping likeable track with only a few mainly repeated vocals.
Buccaneer Bay' is a pretty good uptempo instrumental written by Django, it has a catchy horn lick that comes in throughout the track.
'Saturday night' Sees Chris Murray and Django Double up on vocals on a rocksteady tempo singalong which has Vic doing his thing on keys along with an upfront organ beat and solo from Vic Rice.
The atmosphere's brought down from a party to a dark seedy room with the harmonica led ska tune 'Coeur Blesse' written by Django, the big man does also the French vocals with a pretty good accent.

Vic Ruggerio, of the Slackers takes up vocals on 'I'll never go back home'  a typical Ruggerio track that wouldn't be out of place on the Slackers ' Redlight album' a more laid back ska tune.

Lord Sledge is at his best on 'No hay Luz' a latino backed, trumpet led track. Django shows not only that he knows French but Spanish as well.  A great trumpet led start but the track sort of loses its way before fading out.

'Wash away evil' lifts the tempo, and its probably the best django vocal track on the album. Lisa White (of the Radiation Kings)  joins in on vox for the chorus. The Django/Agent Jay penned track has Django in a more toasting styled vocals ala 'Open Season'. A great guitar lick, brilliant offbeat keyboard sound, top wisdom vocals from King Django and cool climaxing vocals with Lisa White, Django and the backing singers all doing their own thing on the mic.  As Django says "You gotta love this one 'cause this is truths and rights".

Next is a Victor Rice's instrumental that has Lord Sledge, Django and Roman Fleysher brass soloing over a uptempo big bass track. Ajent Jay also comes in with a guitar solo. There's something for everyone on 'True Mental'.

'Not like a star' is a slow track starting off with a melodic sax solo, the guitar, bass and keys take a back seat to the Django vocals and smooth sax duet.

'Grand masters' is a wicked dub/reggae beat with maximum effort horns coming in every so often. Django is full form with the toasting vocals throughout. "I don't give a shit, if you don't give a shit, all I'm looking for is that the records gonna hit".
Its one of the best on the album.
Coming in next to show Django how its done is the stubborn stable's best toaster Rocker T. Anything that has Rocker T's name on the credits has to be worth getting. 'Bread Alone' and 'one fe his majesty' were the best tracks on the Version City comp, so its not surprise that when Rocker T teams up with Django on Vocals for the 'Road Song' its going to be a great song.
Both singing on the chorus but then trying to out do each other in the toasting stakes. Its a close battle, but Rocker T just takes it. The Bass is cool on this tune as well.

Finishing on with 'Dub like a star' a dub version of 'Not like a star', the tune gives you an up close view of the All Stars rough and ready ridim.

Overall you can't have many complaints about this album, well worth getting. Top tracks 'Take your chances', 'Wash away evil', 'Grand masters' and 'Road song'.
Stubborn Records.
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Teenage Frames - 1% faster.
2.5 out of 5.

Jump Up! Records show their not all ska/punk with The Teenage Frames, a clash between the Rolling Stones and The Clash, in a Rock-punk style.
'1% faster', is the bands second album following on from 'More songs, less music' released on their own Rock & Roll records label in late 1996.

The new album on Jump Up! is partly produced by Steve Albini (Nirvana, Electics & HSJ) and is pretty good effort, I'm not to keen on this type of Rock music but  this album stands up well, although there are quite noticeable similarities to the Stones.

The 4 piece led by Frankie Delmane try and restore rock with this 14 track album. That has a number of catchy tunes.
'Drug power' kicks off the album in a brilliant rock style, a cool riff, pounding drums, you can't help singing along. This album has to be played loud to get the maximum effect.
If this album got more mainstream coverage in the UK, then you could see it selling a load, cos there's loads of old style rock fans looking for new bands.

'I want to go out tonight' and 'here come the city' are both catchy numbers, the latter is less heavier but still rocky.
The art style rock continues with 'Who are the darlings of the avant garde? and 'just can't seem to take it', 'Dopesville' sill sounds like a raw rock song even with the distorted guitar replaced by a more strumming acoustic sound.
The one complaint you could have about the album is that some of the tracks sound a bit similar and when listening to the whole album, about half way through you lose concentration, although the rocking 'what U want' with its screeching feedback' soon gets back your attention.

'Im going home' is not a bad track, sticking to the Frames trademark art rock/punk sound.
The albums ends with the hyper rock 'back to motor city', one of the best tracks on the album, that really gets your foot tapping.

Overall its a pretty good record, something to listen to if you fancy a change from ska or punk. Fans of the New Bomb Turks, Kinks, Rolling Stones or just some looking for a good record will enjoy this.
Jump Up Records.
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Telegraph - Switched on.
3 out of 5.

The Detroit band formerley known as the skolars release this there final document under their late '90's guise Telegraph.
Like most long term ska/punk bands, Telegraph have grown up and gone through many line up changes.

This album ia lot different to the early '90's ska/punk sound of the skolars. Its more of a progression from 1997's quit your band ep. The College horn blasting ska has over the years been replaced with more power pop-punk with horns. A similar sound now displayed by The Eclectics.

Once you get used to the bands new sound, "Switched on" becomes a better release than the ska/punk of "10 songs and then some". The song writing improved and the tunes are better crafted.
Although the tracks aren't as aggressive or spikey as they were in the early '90's, the band have now matured and "go boy", "broken up" and "six days till tuesday" stand out as well penned songs that might not be as brash but are still just as emotional as the bands stuff has ever been.

"Would you jump too" is a beautifully crafted power pop song, with slinky horn outro and "belle and blake" is a mod flavoured singalong track.

"American way" one of the bands best ska/punk tracks is recreated in the bands new style, but it lacks the aggression and rebelliousness of the original, just leaving this version feel hollow.

"The routine" and "Stupid sex" show the band can still rock with powerful guitar riifs and equally tough brass parts.

The best two tracks are "Rachel" and coffee drinking song", the latter appeared as a demo on the bands '97 ep.
Rachel is a stomping punk number with emotive vocals which is matched by the horns.
"Coffee drinking song" was on the Quit your band ep, which was the bands crossover release, with a couple of ska/punk numbers and a couple of weezer style songs. This was the best of weezer flavoured tunes, but the horns take the lead making it stand out as Telegraphs own.

Although there's no ska on offer, fans of the new Eclectics Cd, emo-rock, power pop will be impressed by the songs on offer. A satisfactory end for the band, we'll wait and see what they get up to next.
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Thumper - “Songs from the grave”.
4.5 / 5.

“Songs from the grave” has 14 tracks and between most of them are sound clips documenting a fire during one of the bands practices. For the first few listens its ok but after that it gets a bit annoying that you after keep skipping through the 20 second sound bites.
Thankfully the music between the band trying to put out a fire using sugar is excellent.
It could be said that its slightly corny, being ska with ‘80’s influenced metal. But there are really emotional and moving vocals, brass and keyboard licks.
A case in point is “guilt” a brilliant five and a half minute ska/metal track with passionate vocals and poignant horns/keys and guitar solo. Its one of my favourite tracks at the moment and it never gets that heavy, like ska-core or some ska/punk songs.
Opening the album is “life slips away” and Ozzy Osbournes 1981 hit “Crazy train” are two brilliant tracks which show that the ska/metal genre can really work.
“do something” is a slap of skanking ska ‘80’s style. Which is quite good.
“Mi vida loca” starts all mysterious like UFO or dreamthreatre, but then goes all calypso especially with the horns for the instrumental.
 “Show up you” has a really catchy brass lick on the chorus on the ska/punky number and once the dodgy start is out the way “not the way” is a good song with emotional vocals
“bomb” and “another day” are both worthy of credit and “overture” is pretty good if a little short.
The live tracks show Thumper as a slightly more heavier bands, as most bands do sound harder live. But they are both excellent. “Holy roller” goes out to star wars fans and has a brilliant brass intro. It reminds a bit of a “Creeping death”  a song on a Metallica bootleg I have from ‘87. (Oh no my metal past is coming out !)
The mix or sound quality isn’t that brilliant but the songs good anyway as is “American Ninja”, not quite as good as “Holy roller”  but it has a pretty punky chorus.
Unlike most metal it doesn’t go about Satan and the devil and stuff that's meaningless in most average Joe’s life, but it has more meaningful lyrics based on personal events that make the album better.

Overall it goes from having some really powerful and
emotional bits like “guilt”  to rather cringey ‘80’s metal bits.
When “rabbit wreaking havoc” cam out in ‘91 I would of probably of thought “this is crap” and put Nirvana/ Soundgarden/ Pearl jam  on. But now its acceptable as it mixes ska/punk with ‘80’s metal and deep done I still like some of those Kiss songs (LoveGun/ Nowhere to Run) even though they are corny and make you cringe with embarrassment.
Jump Up Records.
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Tiger Army - Tiger Army.
2 out 5.

So here it is, the first blot on the Hellcat Copy book, at first it seemed Tim Armstrong's label would only feature a few of his close friends and favourite bands, a ska outlet for Epitaph. But this release dispels that thought.

In fact Tiger army, an AFI offshoot aren't that bad they're just not we've come to expect of a Hellcat band.
For Hellcat fans its probably the same feeling as when Two-Tone fans heard The Apollinaires or the Higsons on the top ska label.

Of course its up to Tim and Brett what come out on Hellcat, and no-one forcing any-one to buy it just 'cos its on hellcat.

Tiger Army are a similar act to the Peacocks who have been shoved into scene with the punk/ska bands. T.A.'s brand of punk-rockabilly does produce some top tracks. A lot of people would rate "Nocturnal" (premiered on give em the boot 2).

The album starts of well with a dark intro, turning into a fast paced slapping upright bass intro. (Tim Armstrong provides the shouts on it).
Then its straight into "Nocturnal", and with the "lets go!" it rock n roll party time, a top track. "fog sounds" keep ups the pace but is not as catchy.  "True Romance" is the albums defining moment,  with its uptempo beat and chorus cries its the best track, but from here on its all down hill. "Never Die", "Trance" and "Moonlite dreams" are OK The Cover of Eddie Cochran's "Twenty flight Rock" does really do much for me, and by the end of the album you start get a bit annoyed by continuous pounding upright bass.

Overall there's a few good tracks, but a lot of mediocore tracks. It could have been a good ep.
Hellcat Records.
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Tuesday - Freewheelin’.
2.5 out of 5.

A year after Slapstick split up, 3 of the band Dan Andrianno, (bass/vox) Matt Stamps (guitar) and Rob Kellenberger (drums) came together to make up Tuesday a indie-rock-punk style band. Tuesday are more melodic punk than hardcore and the best tracks are those that have melodic hooks and emotional vocals.

‘So awake’ is the best track the hardest most punkish on the album
‘Goodbyes have been said’ opens up the album in good style, ‘my mess’ and ‘another disco party’ are also good tracks and generally  there’s enough stuff to make you get the album out every so often to listen to.
But overall the Jawbreaker / Seam style punk isn’t my favourite.
Asian Man Records.
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