2 comments about Moon Hop: Best of the Early Years 1960-69.

1. Along with Laurel Aitken and Desmond Dekker, Derrick Morgan is a godfather of ska, rocksteady, and reggae. Like the other two mentioned he is a favorite of skinheads, rudies, and mods the world over. Great stuff here.



2. While the first CD of this set contains most of Derrick Morgan's hits from the Ska period of the early 60s, it is the second CD that shows this artist at his peak in the later 60s. Derrick uses lyrics borrowed from Jamaican folk music paired with the intense beat of the rocksteady period to make the best music of his career. I'm particularly fond of his duets with George Agard (check out "Me Naw Give Up"). You have two of the best Jamaican singers of the time over some of the rawest, most insistent rocksteady ever recorded, driven by scratchy guitar and heavy basslines, this music sounds raw compared to the more polish releases by groups like the Melodians and the Maytals. The duets with Paulette are very affecting as well ("You Never Miss Your Water"). Crucial sounds from an era of Jamaican popular music that deserves to be more widely heard.

No comments about Golden Hits, Vol. 2.

No comments about Big Ones.

No comments about Original Masters.

No comments about La Loi Des Cactus.

1 comments about In Dub: The Lost Mixes from King Tubby's Studio.

1. FATMAN PRESENTS...DUB CONTEST: The dub "contest" is a concept closely associated with the sound system "clashes" that became increasingly popular in Jamaica and elsewhere - particularly in England, where promoter Ken "Fatman" Gordon is based - in the seventies and early eighties. As is the case with this reissue, a dub contest basically amounted to a showcase for two (sometimes more) producers, engineers, or other artists, usually presented on opposing sides of a long-player. Some well known and (relatively) widely available examples include the rather underwhelming King Tubby versus Lee Scratch Perry match-up, AT THE GRASSROOTS OF DUB, and a later, greater meeting between Prince Jammy and Scientist, BIG SHOWDOWN.
   
   Prince Jammy is clearly the contestant with the biggest reputation here, and his sides are suitably impressive, even breathtaking at times, like the tough JAMMY'S A NO FOOL, which is the version to Johnny Clarke's PLAY FOOL FI GET WISE; or the stripped-back spiritual, JAMMY'S A SATTA, which versions Clarke's cover of the classic SATTA MASSAGANA. Crucial Bunny might not be immediately familiar to some listeners, but as an in-house engineer during the hitmaking heyday of the Channel One studio, his name (sometimes given as Bunny Tom Tom) was attached to countless heavy-hitting singles and long-players alike. In fact, Bunny matches Jammy's pretty much punch for punch, with the menacing BUNNY IS CRUCIAL, and the warm, summery BUNNY NO EASY as standouts. Rounding off the original release programme, Fatman has dusted off four additional dub plates - two a piece for both Jammy's and Bunny - including the superb FEEL JAMMY'S SPIRIT, a deeply dubbed-down version of Delroy Wilson's take on the Wailer's timeless PUT IT ON. Taken as a whole, this is a highly polished reissue, complete with sleeve notes by celebrated reggae writer - and Auralux proprietor - David Katz, tracing the roots of the Jamaican sound system way back to the late 1940s. DUB CONTEST is recommended without reservation.
   
   By the way, the "contest" concept is alive and relatively well today, in large part thanks to Jet Star's ongoing Toe 2 Toe series. The latest edition (volume 9, I believe) features the amazing voice of Jah Cure in competition with the gifted Richie Spice, and is well worth checking out if you're labouring under the mistaken belief that roots music is dead and gone.

5 comments about Pray for Mojo.

1. Here's the lowdown: There's two really good songs on this album ("Send You Back", "Throw A Bomb") and the rest is passable filler.



2. Midwest Madness. Thats all I have to say about mustard plug. This is a great ska band that can really turn out great tunes. This is a definately a harder version of the mighty mighty bosstones and others. great band. Lolita is a great song along with throw a bomb.



3. About seven years ago, I got dragged to the Reptile House, a little dive on the east side of Grand Rapids, MI, to hear a local band play. Little did I know that Mustard Plug would grow into the very mature band that they are today. I have since joined the military, and I travel the globe carrying cargo for the Air Force. I have found Mustard Plug albums in music shops in southern California, rural Georgia, Yokota, Frankfurt, London and Crete (of all places). This band seems to only get better with each album, and has gained a following world-wide. They are almost complete unknowns outside of Ska circles, but their influence in the realm of Ska is truly universal. To all fans of Less Than Jake, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the Mad Caddies and other great Ska bands, I highly recommend Mustard Plug. You will not be disappointed with the energy and thrill of hearing this band or better yet, seeing them live. Pick up "Evildoers Beware" also, if for no other reason than the "Beer Song" anthem that finally landed them on MTV.



4. spoken like a true poser, dr. monica. for those of us who aren't posers, this is a great album.



5. Mustard Plug is one of those little known ska bands. Well, little known to the Pop music world. They are not like the big Ska bands like Less Then Jake, reel Big Fish and Mighty Mighty Bosstones. But they should be. Pray For Mojo is just a good Ska album. It has catchy music and words, and is solid all the way through. Although this is the only album by them I have bought, I really like what I have heard from them (ahem..off napster..ok, I admit it, I download their songs.) But buying their stuff is so much better then downloading it. Just do it. you know you want to .

5 comments about Floored.

1. As the owner of Floored, 14:59 and their self-titled cd, i can easily say this one is the best of those 3 (yes i am aware there are other albums by Sugar Ray). Less pop-ish, but not necessarily "hard" rock, this cd is very intense and enjoyable if one doesn't mind curses here and there.



2. After listening to the previews of some of the songs on this website I have deemed this album "bad" or "not fly". I suggest you spend your money on arcade games or fountain soda at the mall. Or if you do buy it, spend your remaining change on some glue so you can at least listen to it higher than a kite.



3. First of all for the people who said this one is lame...
   
   Just shut up and go listen to In the Pursuit of Leisure losers.
   
   With that said this is Floored, which came out in 1997 two years removed from Lemonade and Brownies. They don't even sound the same because L&B was hard as hell to comprehend while Floored was easier to access. Also who could forget "Fly" which made the album look awkwardly 1-sided with a light song and 10 harder. Now onto the review shall we?
   
   1. RPM: Intro is awesome and so are DJ Homicide's race car samples with the sounds to match on guitar. 5/5
   
   2. Breathe: The song barely gives you time to breathe because it's exceptional and stiff. 5/5
   
   3. Anyone: More upbeat on the chorus then the other two were but still very good. 4.5/5
   
   4. Fly: The big hit song...what else to say? 4/5
   
   5. Speed Home California: Intesnity of thrash and punk styling make this one a winenr! 5/5
   
   6. High Anxiety: Starts off slowly but builds momentum. 4/5
   
   7. Tap, Twist, Snap: Okay song...not as strong as the others. 3/5
   
   8. American Pig: Guilty pleasure song of mine! Great chorus and the openining and intermitten guitars are awesome. 6/5
   
   9. Stand and Deliver: This is like Southern meets Ska in a sense but it makes due for a good song. 4/5
   
   10. Cash: If you can stand the F-bomb a lot then this is a good speed song with funny effects from Homicide. 4.5/5
   
   11. Invisible: Slow down and power hitting metal song. 4.5/5
   
   12. Right Direction: short but good for the time it had. 3.5/5
   
   13. Fly W/out Cat: See #4. 4/5
   
   Overall rating: 4.8/5
   
   -This was major improvement from L&B and singaled the height of intensity for Sugar Ray. Unfortunately, the intensity died down some for 14:59 and all together on the self titled and ITPOL. But take this for what it's worth and that's a bay side trash outing which will never be forgotten by hardcore fans and old school Sugar Ray fans alike.



4. If you don't have this, and you like Sugar Ray, get this. There are some other songs by this band I'd like to get an album of, but I cannot find them. What's that all about? Ah, well. Who gives a crap, huh? There are 2 kinds of "FLY" on this album. One is just the song, and the other, is with this guy in the song who starts it off and continues as the song goes on. I like that version, but then again, that might just be me. Peace.



5. i got this CD for like 3 dollars in a thrift stoor when i was like 13, because i was nostalgic of Fly, and come on it was only 3 dollars. This CD is so great, and Sugar Ray could've made their 3 CDs after this one so rocking and so bad ass if they hadn't have sold out so hard. Damn that fly! I hoped and prayed their new stuff would go back to rocking hard and being awesome so i got the self titled.....bad move, so when in the pursuit of leisure came out i didnt even give it a chance. I mean the CD wasn't even going well with Pop fans so i knew it had to be a big crap fest. But who knows maybe after a bombing pop album they'll go back to their old sound? Anyway, RPM is the intro track and really makes me think of that show Titus, with all the car noises and all. American Pig is the best song on the whole. It is a great track and Sugar Ray's best song ever. Download it to give you a taste of what you'll get from this CD.

5 comments about Live From the Middle East.

1. ... "if dimension, fidelity, and artistry are more your bag, Live pretty much bites. --Sue VanHecke"
   
   Sorry Sue, I can't agree with that. Saying the Bosstones lack artistry is almost laughable. The Tones showcase some of the most talented musicians I've come across in my time. Masterful bass playing, a tight brass section, excellent guitar work and frankly, Dicky Barrett's vocal's are individual, endearing and soulful.
   
   All up a great CD!



2. Wow...wow is all I can say about this display of live concert music. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are my favorite band, and I completed my collection of their cd's by laying down $18 for this cd- and I don't regret it oooone bit.
   Between the awesome blend of songs from all their albums and the raw energy being witnessed, this cd can please anyone who's in the room. Cd's such as Devil's Night Out and More Noises and Other Disturbances weren't all that great to me...but this cd has made me come to love both of those "okay" cd's just because hearing some older songs by MMB played live seemed to bring a new light over them!
   It's plain and simple...BUY THIS ALBUM! It's a must-have for annny MMB fan.



3. Like the Grateful Dead, the Bosstones are better live than recorded. This is essentially a live greatest hits album. It has all the songs of theirs that I could name, good sound, and an amazing 22 tracks. It's the only Bosstones disc I need, especially with "Where'd you go", "Someday I suppose", and half of the "Let's face it" album. Who needs that anymore. If you enjoy that "live" energy, and listen to bands like Fishbone and The Reverend Horton Heat, you'll love this.



4. Recorded during the Bosstones annual hometown throwdown shows right after their breakthrough album Let's Face It, Live from the Middle East actually does a good job capturing the essence of the Bosstones live. It features classic songs as well as a ton of songs off of Let's Face It, all in all it's a massive 22 song collection and every song sounds great. The set opens with 1-2-8 off of Let's Face It, it then goes into the classics Do Somethin Crazy, He's Back and one of my favorite Bosstones songs Devil's Night Out. With this live album they also breathe new life into songs such as Dr.D, Howwhywuz Howwhyam, Cowboy Coffee, and Where'd You Go. All of which are highlights of the album. Songs such as Kinder Words, Hope I Never Lose My Wallet, and Hell of a Hat also sound just as good live maybe even better than their studio recordings. Other songs from Let's Face It include the title track, Rascal King, Noise Brigade, Royal Oil, and their hit single, The Impression that I Get. The band sounds very tight on the live album, as any band would after touring for months at a time. Honestly the one low point of the album is the song Royal Oil, I'm just not a fan of that song, I actually think it's one of the worst song's they've ever recorded. The album ends on a great note also with The Impression that I Get, the classic Someday I Suppose (also featured in the movie Clueless), and the short Lights Out, which features the band members going back and forth singing to each other, definately a highlight of the live album. Live from the Middle East is definately worth the money, of course nothing will ever capture the essence of the Bosstones live but this cd comes extremely close, you should definately check them out if you get the chance to.



5. This live CD by the Bosstones is also a nice pre-Pay Attention "greatest hits" collection. Songs are taken from everything from Devil's Night Out to More Noise... to Don't Know How To Party. Many selections also come from Let's Face It. The recording quality is not as bad as some may say. All the songs do credit to the studio versions, with that touch that can only be felt live. The only song that just plain stinks is "The Impression That I Get" because it does nothing to capture the essence of the original masterpiece. Dicky's voice is in top-form, and he switches from growling to his deep tone very nicely. So there you have it. A live 22-track compilation of some of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones greatest. My only gripes are the bad quality of song 20 and all the unneeded language.

4 comments about 500% Dynamite!.

1. I have to take issue with the Soul Jazz label for the very limited amount of label information on offer, which is pared to the minimum. What year did this track originally come out? What label was it on? What won it its inclusion on this selection? No answers to be found here, though it seems to scan a period from the 1960s to the present time.
   However, no quarrel with the musical contents; as it says on the jacket: "Super Funky Ska from Byron Lee, Dub from Augustus Pablo and Joe Gibbs, Calypso Style from Toots, Dancehall Kings and Queens Red Rat and Sister Charmaine, Roots classics from Freddie McGregor and Jacob Miller. Yes it's all here! This record is Dynamite!" And so it is



2. This is the fifth installment of the awesome " Dynamite " reggae compilations , and the quality still remains unbelievably high . All sorts of styles are represented on these discs in no particular order , it seems to me that the only requirement needed is that the tracks have to be genuine Jamaican classics , that are as vital today as they were when first released . The reputation of these compilations is such , that people in the know buy each new release without bothering to read it`s reviews , such is their confidence in the compilers at Soul Jazz Records .

   The biggest compliment I can give to these compilations is that they`ll be talked about , and danced to , long after they`ve been deleted .




3. Soul Jazz records latest release, 500% dynamite, concludes the dynamite dynasty so far.It has unfortunately fallen short of the rockin' standards that have been the key to success of the previous compilations.It's focus has turned towards a more modern dancehall ragga, that somehow isn't as melodic or liberating as previous ska, reggae, soul, and funk that compiles these albums.400% dynamite featured a few inclinations toward a ragga style content,with tunes such as Buju Banton's remix of "ring the alarm".This is a top tune, with a ranging beat, of great originality and very stirring.Unlike the ragga that ranges on 500% dynamite, which lacks inherent jamaican soul.The majority of this compilation is ragga and i think this reflects the record label's desire to captivate music of a more modern era.Soul jazz records have perhaps reached the capacity of their music vaults, when it comes to the old, traditional music that made the dynamite series become "dynamite", with soothing rocksteady, funky, soulful reggae and storming, hip-moving ska.Let's hope that the next album rediscovers its classical touch.When passion ignites: "dynamite"...Explodes!



4. What is it about Reggae that makes it so appealing to the masses? Maybe the fact that it's like the coolest type of music in the world? I mean, Willie William's Armageddon Time in 100% really blew the people away. This time around in 500%, expect the same thing, but the fact that it's so cool shouldn't mean a damn thing. A real Summertime c.d. Suck down the cerveza, smoke the cohiba, and listen to these bad boys.