Rudeboy Corner Records
http://www.rudeboycorner.com
For fans of: Soulful swinging ska and reggae
Rarely does an entire album grab my interest. It isn’t surprising, as we all have different tastes and favour different styles of Jamaican music. Bands have the difficult job of trying to cater to different predilections and rarely are they completely successful. The better road to take may be to do what you do best and hope that people like it, and that is the option one feels Mr T-bone and the Young Lions have taken with their album, Heroes. And they hit the spot.
If you had to make comparisons, I suppose The Pietasters or Spearhead could get a mention, but there is a European flavour and a quirkiness that gives the band their very own identity. Take a track like, The president of the republic of bananas. It is a song about the attitude of rogue heads of state, not a new topic, but done in a different way and with a great catchy up-beat number. I’ve backed calls by others that some ska bands aren’t forthright enough in their positions, but Mr T-bone can’t be accused of that. Alongside Republic of bananas, we have a series of songs, such as Money and Excuse me that send a strong message in a frank, but not oversimplified fashion, while maintaining music that provides for dancing.
The more upbeat numbers are my favourite, but the slower songs such as the minor key Somewhere or dubbed out Me and my soul provide a variety that is welcome and sophisticated in its musicianship. It’s worth mentioning here that Mr T-bone himself has written, arranged and produced the entire album, and done so very successfully. Some of the English is a little amiss, but it doesn’t affect the enjoyment I gain from listening to this great record.
Favourite Tracks: The president of the republic of bananas, Excuse me, Let ‘em go.
Overall: It was with great pleasure that I reviewed this album. You won’t find a more soulful swinging contemporary ska album this year. Buy it for someone for Christmas and then borrow it.
Album available from: http://www.rudeboycorner.com
Mr T-bone on the web: http://www.mrtbone.com
