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Recommended Listening - February 2012

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Speedball Jr – Treble In Paradise (Green Cookie)

Several changes in line up have led to Belgium’s Speedball Jr taking something of a sea change from their previous album For The Broad Minded. Out go the buzz saw guitar that epitomised their earlier incarnation, and in comes a more rhythmic and almost hypnotic riffing sound, which is largely nonetheless hectic in its performance.

Tracing their musical roots to the type of instrumental group that went largely out of fashion in the late 1960s, they have become something of a punked up version of The Surfaris.

The overall feel of the album still owes more to Dick Dale than The Beach Boys, and there are still the hints of early psychobilly and garage hidden deep in their sound to add to the interest. Along the way they’ve also apparently been listening to The Doors played at speed too, occasionally dipping into that gorgeous church-like organ sound that you associate with those legends, none more so than on Pilgrimage, where a huge debt is owed to the classic Riders On the Storm.

Understated bass underpins every track, allowing the rhythmic lead and ferocious drumming to battle for attention, while the organ riffs through, alternately driving and filling the tunes with a Sixties vibe.

There are a couple of cover versions on the album, the John Barry written Beat Girl would seem at home on a Sixties soundtrack and their version of The Atlantics’ Bambora hints at spaghetti westerns while being propelled along by frenetic drumming. The only vocal track on the album is an oh-too-short version of Rob Zombie’s Halloween, which lopes along in good style, the distorted vocals adding an extra dimension to the tune.

But it’s their own material that shines for me. The title track lays the foundations for the album with its interplay between rhythmic lead guitar and organ, while the drums pound out the surfing beat. Maiden Surf again has that distinctive surf guitar and almost Surfari styled drum fills, and Swell Hell layers psychobilly influenced guitars over a manic keyboard line.

The album finishes with the garage trash Cor Steijin Rides The Wild, an aural assault that is way too short at just over three minutes, the final fade leaving you begging for more.

Admittedly a change for the band, but change isn’t always for the worse. In this case, it most certainly isn’t.

Nik

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Various - This Are UK Ska Volume 4 (Do The Dog)

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Drawing not only from the Do The Dog catalogue, but from across the range of independent British bands releases, DTD’s latest UK Ska sampler album shows some of the brightest up and coming talent alongside established acts. Showing the breadth of the current ska scene (without the ska punk)  there are many tasty treats for your dancing feet in here...

• Read the full feature in Scootering magazine - February 2012!

Nik

Downsetters - Interskalactic House Sessions EP (Walt Jabsco Recordings)

Ipswich’s six piece Downsetters explode onto the ska scene with their first full release. This EP highlights the range of the band’s ability, alternating the three cover versions with three original tracks...

• Read the full feature in Scootering magazine - February 2012!

Nik

Listen to: At the time of writing, only F**k ’Em All is available online, but it gives a good taste of what to expect from the EP. Not for the sensitive of hearing…

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The Liptones - The Meaning Of Life (AMTY)

There’s quite a healthy ska scene in Sweden, with many good bands having come out of there, and while The Liptones may not be the U2 of Swedish Ska, they’re certainly one of the bigger players on the live circuit there.

The Meaning Of Life is their second album, and it’s a scorcher. They must have grown up listening to Absolutely era Madness, the CD is full of those little fairground type sounds that you associate with them at that time, and the beat is as bouncy as anything that came out of Camden in the early 1980s.

The album kicks off with New Set Of Sorrows, a deceivingly titled happy tune, and the off beat dance feel continues relentlessly through the next dozen tracks, finishing on the sing-along title track, The Meaning Of Life without missing a beat, so to speak...

• Read the full feature in Scootering magazine - February 2012!

Nik

Ken Boothe meets Tasty Groove - A Change Must Come (Liquidator)

There’s something about vinyl I still love; even on a 7in record the sleeve looks good. I hunt for my record centre, make sure the drive is set to 45rpm then lower the arm and needle towards to rotating disc. There’s a little crackle and hiss as it gently connects and then the drums roll before the sound of a guitar soulfully arrives with a simple riff, preceding a dub style bass and then the sweet, sweet vocals of Ken Boothe. This is very much erring towards a relaxing reggae sound rather than rocksteady or ska. Nevertheless, the regular off beat guitar chords carry this on at an acceptable pace, allowing Boothe’s voice to work their magic, a little dub section occasionally breaking things down once or twice...

• Read the full feature in Scootering magazine - February 2012!

Andy

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The Gentry Underground - Don’t Touch Me (Skinbag Records)

Don’t Touch Me is the debut single from The Gentry Underground and they truly have an underground, garage sound. Take The stingrays, mix in a little Cramps and Cannibals and raise the fuzz tone on your effects pedal to 11, and you’re close. The vocals growl, the guitar whines, and the leaflet inserted into the sleeve of this vinyl suggests you listen to the record at a loud volume which does improve its quality I reckon if not the relationship with your neighbours...

• Read the full feature in Scootering magazine - February 2012!

Andy

MISSING ANDY - DAVE (official video)

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