Reggae & Ska > Ska Reggae & Ska > 2 Tone Ska > by Studio / Live

Advantages: inteligent varied original
Disadvantages: their last record as a group

...debut album "Specials",but had even more greatness thrust upon them by an over expectant music press and ravenous fan base all eager for more of their punk/ska riotous rapture ,however in the spirit of true greatness and wanton defiance they delivered "More Specials" in the autumn of 1980,and in direct conflict to its title could well have been called "Less Specials " In the twelve months which had elapsed between their debut and this daring follow ...
...and movements allowing for a more tolerant musical enviroment free from the confines of punks tunnel vision and it was into this climate the genius of Jerry Dammers was allowed to thrive unchecked ,a youth mispent listening to samba ,ska ,soul , calypso,disco and film soundtracks was finally put to good use . The resulting sound was so far ahead of its time that some people never caught up,it condensed and distilled the sound of a United Kingdom ... Read review

Advantages: Great beats, great lyrics, brilliant songs - all hits
Disadvantages: Couple of songs not so hot

...on the album. 06 - Best Friend, good song, yet another chart hit, but just average compared to the rest of the album. 07 - Rankin Full Stop - this is the first song I heard by The Beat many years ago and is a brilliant ska beat. Should bring back lots of memories. 08 - Can't Get used To Losing You - one of their more main stream songs, brilliant love song, amazing how many can be done with ska and not feel wrong, great beat and vocal combo. 09 ...
...average than some of their best stuff, but considering everyone song on the album was a hit...its not bad. 11 - To Nice To Talk To - great song - a reminder how stupid I used to feel as a teenage when faced with someone I had a crush on. 12 - Doors Of Your Heart - my favourite song on the album, great lyrics, vocals and music arrangement, explains why it was a hit. Starts with what feels like a love song, but leads into querying racism, and ends ... Read review

Advantages: Fun, Racy Tracks
Disadvantages: Songs aren't labeled by which band wrote them.

...shelf and it was the best £2 i ever spent! This is a brilliant abum featuring Neville Staple and his guest band with special appearences from Jane Wiedlin Jennifer and Leila Avila. The front cover design is based on traditional ska style with the black and white check and fully dressed Rude Boys, Pork Pies and all! The album inclides ska classics such as, -Ghost Town (which hit number one in 1981) -A message to you rudy -Our lips are sealed ...
...in coventry 1977. The members were, Jerry Dammers Terry hall Neville Staples Sir Horace Gentleman Roddy Radiation Lynval Golding John Bradbury Their debut LP was 'Specials-Too Much Too Young' which instantly hit number one in the UK. After their well known song ' Ghost Town' hit number one in 1981 Neville Staples, Lynval Golding and Terry Hall left the band and Stan Campbell joined. In the 1980's Lynval Golding, Neville Staples and Terry ... Read review

Advantages: Good music, reggae brought back to a roots sound
Disadvantages: None

Live at Stubb's is Matisyahu's 2nd album and his 1st live album recorded at Stubbs in Austin, Texas. It was released in February, 2005 by JDubRecords. If you are not familiar with Matisyahu, he's an intriguing chap, a New York Jew (Matisyahu is the Yiddish pronunciation of Matthew), who dresses in the traditional clothing of a Hasidic Jew and doesn't perform on the sabbath. He spent several years taking hallucinogens and touring with the rock band ...
...Matisyahu Miller - Vocals Roots Tonic: Aaron Dugan - Guitar Josh Werner - Bass Guitar Johan David - Drums Yoni - MC (on Beat Box) Beat Box is a particularly good song but I liked them all and it works well as it's a live concert. ... Read review

Advantages: It's the Specials!
Disadvantages: One or two tracks not so good.

...folk this song epitomizes the specials, old style reggae Ska, bouncy bass line, trumpets, simple guitar riff and constant, steady drumming. The ultimate get up and move tune, everyone mouthing the words and understanding them, what a great track, still brings back great memories. My 13 year old son who is into thrash metal even likes this. 9/10. 2. Do The Dog Much more percussion and synthesizer, modern Ska, more energetic, more of a dance tune. ...
...we start to hear Terry Hall make his mark vocally on the band, lots of electric guitar too. Personally I think Mr. Hall 'whines' a bit in a Midlands way on this track. 6/10. 4. Nite Klub Love the trumpet use in this track and the almost urgent use of drums, Terry Hall vocals again, yet this time much more suited to the song which, you guessed it, is about a Night Club. Quite like this, though a little away from what I would consider Ska. 7/10. ... Read review