From JA To UK: The History of Ska

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Customer reviews

review by: Mitchmusic date: 2003-06-09 rating:
A useful introduction to Ska
This double CD serves as a useful introduction to the world of ska music, but can hardly be called a history.
It kicks off in fine style with the grandaddy of the genre, Desmond Dekker, who serves up 10 good reasons why this budget priced CD is worth buying, including top tracks like Israelites and 'You can get it if you really want'. He was at the forefront of the ska movement and showed the way.
Then we're enticed my the baffling, mad world of Bad Manners and included here are a number of live and studio tracks which you'll find irresistable.
The second CD is where the compilation slackens it's hold. The Beat, were in my view, the finest band of the two tone movement, combining ska rhythms with cracking tunes. Once again, we are handed a number of live tracks from their heyday. However, these are interspersed with a few tracks from The International Beat, which fall well short of the mighty Beat. The live tracks are not brilliantly produced, but serve as a great reason to buy The Best of the Beat compilation.
Sadly, we are then handed 9 reasons why many of us have ignored the Selecter, apart from the live On My Radio, much of their selections are utter garbage. A poor way to end a good collection.
All in all a worthy effort, great value, but I'm not completely convinced.


review by: date: 2002-10-31 rating:
Skankin' good fun!
By no means a comprehensive history of ska music (it only covers four bands), this is still a superb introduction to one of the most fun, intelligent and downright likeable styles of music there is. The first CD traces the roots of ska. Desmond Dekker's "Israelites" may have become a bit of a cliche through adverts and the like, but it really is a good song- even better than you remember. After 10 Dekker tracks all up to the same great standard, the album moves on to the energetic madness of Bad Manners. If this is too lightweight for you, two of the greatest bands of the 2-Tone movement make up CD 2. Mixing infectious music with heavy political messages, these 20 songs are some of the best you will hear.
The insightful liner notes fill in the gaps. The only complaint is, where are The Specials?

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Similar categories

Music . Styles . Pop . General AAS
Music . Styles . Reggae . Ska . Bad Manners
Music . Styles . Reggae . Ska . Dekker, Desmon
Music . Styles . Reggae . Ska . Selecter
Music . Styles . Reggae . Ska . General
Music . Styles . Reggae . Ska . General AAS
Music . Styles . Reggae . General
Music . Substores . Regular Stores . Retro Store
Music . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . CD . CD Album

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