Album Description

24 of the hit Floridian ska-punk outfit's greatest early recordings, including 'Jonny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts', 'One Last Cigarette' and covers of '867-5309 (Jenny)' & 'You'reThe One That I Want'. 1999 release. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

The Pez Kings Do It Again
Being that LTJ is my favorite band of all time, I couldn't go wrong with this CD. It has all the greats such as Johnny Quest Thinks Were Sellout, Rock n Roll Pizzera, Whipping Boy, and Automatic. The whole CD rocks and there are 24 songs so it keeps you entertained for a long time. To make it short.....BUY THIS CD IF YOUR AN LTJ FAN OR JUST A PUNK/SKA FAN.

Nice combo CD, from a great band.
It's pretty simply stated that LTJ has worked hard to accomplish this collection of ska music. However, some of the songs are too crazy to handle, in my opinion. I've been a great fan of LTJ for a long time, but "Pez Collection" has been losing its firm grip.

This CD isn't that great; gets really old
LTJ's "Pez Collection" used to be my favorite CD. It had all of LTJ's greatest hits, like "Son of Dick" and "One Last Cigarette". However, as time went by, this CD faded from me. I used to listen to it all the time, but now, it's collecting dust in it's slot in my CD holder.

LTJ Fans Buy This!
The Pez Collection is a collection of Less Than Jake songs from there previous albums put together on one CD. It has all the best songs on this album and no Less Than Jake fan should be without it. It's only eighteen dollars for twenty-four of their greatest songs. A definite buy.

WOW
It seems LTJ puts out the best CD possible. This one is not an exception. With songs like Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts, Automatic, and One last Cigarette this is my favorite LTJ CD. If you like LTJ or ska I recommend this to you. JUST BUY IT! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Worship/Hallelujah Music + Ska Music = Skallelujah
Now im going to be extremely clear about this, i am not a big fan of worship/praise music. But if you add a little spice to it, you get this awesome album. Extremely good for a worship album, especially if you have one of the most best and anticipated ska bands ever and add their style. I highly reccomend this to any worship fan, worship only.

still good......but not great
I've always loved the insyderz music but this album just isn't up to par with the rest. They try different styles of music and sometimes they pull it off well...but most of the time it just comes off as annoying. I can understand that playing the same style of music all the time gets boring but bands should know their limits. They should stick to ska-core.....oh yeah, their new album "soundtrack to a revolution" is out. I've heard a few songs and it sounds really good. Go and buy it!!!!!!

good stuff
This album is really awesome. They cover praise songs and hymns in all different styles. Most of the songs are really great, but a few are somewhat annoying. My favorites are Shout to the Lord, Step by Step, and especially In the Secret. In the Secret is an awesome fast punk version. I gave the album a 4 because some of the songs just dont work in the styles they try. They try to do some hardcore stuff in there and they use a synthesizer a few times and its really not so good. I give them credit for trying different stuff, but I think they should stick to the catchy upbeat punk and ska stuff that they're so good at.

A very good album overall I listen to it all the time. If you like this, make sure you get some Five Iron Frenzy and Supertones, which are even better in my opinion. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

All You Need
The Ethiopians are a wonderful vocal band that recorded during Reggae's golden age (mid-60s to mid-70s). Their music is a joyous experience. This compilation has just about every single track you'll ever likely need from one of the truly essential groups in reggae.

this is as joyful as it gets!
This anthology has it all! the most joyfilled, happy,cheerful music from jamaica. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Oi from a land not known for it
I felt that a Montana Skanker should review a Montana Ska band.The Times is a magnificent album and a must for any Traditional Ska fan, Oi fan, or Punk fan. The album features catchy ska and oi and some great Skunk. Last Night and the Times are two of the highlights on a CD that is full of them. Also be sure to check the remake of the the Clancy brothers BEER! Not To many times for me to take an advantage like this si just say Oi! if your from MT

OI! OI! OI!
this cd is wicked awsome mann!it's a good album to anyone whether you be a punk,Skin or Rudeboy,this album combines the best of all three scenes,Awsome oi,traditional ska,and some Punk rock.it's a great album and i suggest you buy it!

Great cd
This cd is awesome, it combines trad-ska with oi quite well for a great combination that really makes u wanna skank.

It is very good
I really like the skoidats. When I first got the CD it took a little time to get used to it but now I am hooked and I cant wait for the new CD to come out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OI!!

Give it a few listens
I got this from a friend who lives in Montana and loves these guys. Good old ska from some rude boy skins with a little 77 and oi flavoring. You have to listen to this one a few times through to truly appreciate it, but it's well worth it. If you like the Toasters, check out the Skoidats! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Usuals, not your usual ska!!!
Let me start by saying that not only do I have this album, but I have also seen this band in five performances. They are a great ska band! Take traditional sound (a la Skatalites), add some big band elements, some exquisite female vocals and you have the Usuals. This group is not your typical punk/ska, relying on less yelling and more on instrumentation (plenty of trumpets, trombones, sax). It's a more adult sound that many will enjoy. On this particular cd you'll find my faves (#5-Orangeboy, #1-Don't Tell Me and #2-Down For The Count). Trust me, buy this cd and you'll love it. If you're ever in Gainesville, Florida (Go Gators!) make plans to see this band perform. Props to my old roomie Fredo, and the band, you guys are Gainesville's best band!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Coxsonne Dodd's Kingston, Jamaica, recording studio may have lacked the latest equipment, but it was the laboratory where such legends as guitarist Ernie Ranglin experimented and made their greatest riddimic [cq] discoveries, and where young singers like Sugar Minott, the Wailing Souls, and The Heptones refined their vocal chops. During the time period covered in this first volume of Heartbeat's Studio One series (ca. late 1960s to early '70s), Ranglin and other stellar musicians like The Skatalites were the house band, composing tracks on the spot but usually uncredited on the innumerable vinyl classics that the studio churned out. Diehard reggaeites will recognize virtually every track but still thrill to hear The Cables' "Baby Why" elide into The Termites' "My Last Love," and a very young Dennis Brown's "Impossible" giving way to "The Heptone's "Party Time." Nonreggae-heads will wonder what they've been listening to these past 30 or so years. --Elena Oumano ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Classic
Very solid comp from Heartbeat's collection of studio one masters. Heartbeat seems to have the best backlog of these old classics. To the listener of samples: The best tracks on this album are not those highlighted (Row, Fisherman Row by the Wailing Souls, Mr DC by Sugar Minott, and Jah Promise by Johnnie Osbourne are songs that any reggae fan will cling to.)

This is my fourth copy of this album (and NO you can't borrow it).

Ride Natty Ride...to Studio 1
I dont know what it is about this Studio 1 compilation but Coxone Dodd definitely did it right every time! Every track in my opinion is just a incredible roots track that really represents what "roots,rock reggae" is and was. Each track is really raw in the sense that you can tell that they didnt use any sophisticated recording techniques and they could still fill the song up with absolute roots creativity. Nothing was polished up or pampered, just true roots. In my opinion the Gladiators song makes the collection even more appealing. Bottom line this collection is def a roots reggae must have!

Reggae that you can listen to.
Take me back to a time when reggae was easy to listen to. Old school reggae is becoming obscure with the explosion of slack lyrics. These songs were about love, life, and politics. Before Bob Marley became a superstar, he was a member of the Wailing Souls. Listen to the nasal sounds of "Row Fisherman Row" and you'll start grooving to the lyrical tunes. Get this CD collection of reggae greats. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Incredible deal on pure classics
Here's my quick take. If you are familiar with "The Harder They Come" soundtrack and want some tunes similar to that then do not hesitate buying this box. What a great deal for some incredibly classic songs. I've bought 3 disc sets in the past that were just too much to chew on... not the case here. Indispensible.

Great Chart Toppers From Duke Reid's Trojan Label
Long before reggae music or Bob Marley became household words among music lovers in the United States, Duke Reid's Trojan Records had been tremendously successful in marketing reggae music in the UK. Duke Reid began in Jamaica as a master blaster who traveled the island with his massive sound system, which he dubbed the "Trojan" after the brand name of the semi-truck he used to haul the system around in. Eventually Reid ended up in the production and entrepanuerial end of reggae music as well. He began recording promising rock steady and ska artists in Jamaica and marketing the music in the UK on his newly found Trojan label in the mid 1960s. He also bought the UK licensing rights to many early Jamaican reggae hits and sold them on the Trojan label in the UK. As a result, the Trojan back catalog of music may be the most extensive and best preserved archive of early reggae music anywhere. Trojan music did for reggae in the UK, what Chess records did for the blues in the USA, that is, each label successfully marketed a specialty music and developed a large crossover audience.

We are all lucky that Trojan records nearly 40 years after it's founding is remastering and repackaging a great deal of it's massive vault of master tapes and packing the songs in chronological 3 cd box sets. Every conceivable sub-genre is available on the 70 or so releases by Trojan, including ska, intrumental reggae, dub, nyabingi, rock steady, Brit hits, lover's rock, down tempo....you name it. The amazing part is the retail price for each three cd box is about the same price as a single CD. I've already bought about 10 of the Trojan boxes and be cautioned, many of the releases are limited edition, so this is a rare opportunity for collectors and newbies alike to browse through the nearly 5000 tracks released in the 70 Trojan boxes, and pick and choose by genre the music they like. It's enough to make hardcore reggae fans shout, "Irie" and say goodbye to a lot of hard earned money, but the music is priceless.

Most of the material in this "Trojan Hits Collection" are U.K. chart toppers from the late sixties, when Duke Reid began releasing Jamaican music in Great Britian. It was a few years before conscious roots reggae became an international sensation and artists like Bob Marley, Burning Spear and Peter Tosh became lionized all over the world. Some styles here are ska, rock steady and slower ballad music. Early ska and rock steady stars like Lord Tanamo, the Aces, and the incredible Skatalites demonstrate why their young ska-fusion imitators have never topped the passion and the technical proficency of these gifted players. There is plenty of early reggae included, almost all are cornerstone reggae classics. Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross", Desmond Dekker's "You Can Get It If You Really Want", Tony Tribe's "Red Red Wine", and the Melodian's "Rivers of Babylon" are internationally known reggae songs and are revered as much as sacred hymns by Rastafarians and reggae fans alike.

The music on this box set was tremendously influential amoung the young British musicians who were raised on Duke Reid's Trojan releases in the UK. These young Trojan fans grew up to be in bands like the Sex Pistols, the Police, the Specials, English Beat, Selector, the Clash and a plethora of other UK bands. The children of Trojan records were the vangaurd of the UK punk revolution. A third genreration ska/rock steady revival swept the United States in the 1990s, so it appears that these early tunes from Duke Reid's Trojan hit factory will cast a long shadow for many years to come. ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Awesome music
This is a really great CD with some truly awesome music. I had heard some of these songs in church, and to hear them set to ska blew me away. I only gave this a 4 out of 5 because it has a couple of annoying things, such as this weird doo-wop music in this one song, and a sort-of-annoying rendition of "I got the Joy" (these, plus a version of "Awesome God" makes a total of three songs that I'm not too fond of-- pretty good track record for a CD, if you ask me). Also, at the end of track 11 there's a few minutes of silence, which is annoying if you want the CD to repeat. Ah well! Overall, very cool CD, a lot of fun to listen to, and maybe a way to show your friends that Christian music can rock.

Singn' praise was never so fun!
This album rocks to heaven! If you like first-class Christian ska then you've got to get this CD. You'll be amazed to hear the rockn' ska twist to songs that you've heard for years in church. It includes gutsy hard-rock hits as well as dancable praise numbers. A great way to liven up your worship time or any social gathering.

From old-time favorites like "O Lord You're Beautiful" to a truly romping version of "Awesome God", The Insyderz sport a unique blend of ska and rock whitch I've never heard done better. Get ready to sing "Skalleluia"!

insyderz, indeed
After reading some other reviews, I thought I would give a more accurate, informative one.
I first heard the Insyderz when my friend burned me skalleluia too. I was already hooked. When I bought this album, it made me so happy. This is the best insyderz album out there. It is much better than skalleluia too, because there's less experimenting and the music is better. If you're a fan of good ska, don't hesistate to get this album. This album is amazing and full of musically advanced songs. The horns are stellar and this album can cheer you up anytime. THIS IS REAL MUSIC. Worship is 20 times as good with the insyderz. good stuff.

Skalleluia
I first ran across some Insyderz MP3s while trying to find some MxPx (a long time fan). The first track I ever heard from them was "In The Secret" and I was hooked. These guys do some great stuff with the classic songs that we grew up singing in church and at camps and retreats. Lord, I Lift Your Name on High gives us both sides - a nice traditional version and then jumps into a real ska/punk version of the song. Draw Me Close is practically reggae, but it keeps you interested in Jesus.

Why 4 stars?:
These guys do some great work with making some of our favorite songs a ska/punk classic. These will keep your toes tapping while your praying and are just good, clean fun. Plus, these guys really know how to rock! I just wish this disc had more songs on it!

Prayer is fun again!
This CD is like praying while listening to a cleaned up Limp Bizkit. It's great! I pop it in, sing along, and know that I'm praising God AND having a good time. BUY THIS NOW ... Read more

Reviews (8)

This is one of my favorite cd's
This cd kicks ass! I love every song! A must have if you're into ska/punk.

The best VGS album EVER!!!!!
If you are at all questioning which VGS CD to buy, make it "Who Is This Is?"! This is VGS' peak! No other ska/punk/indie band can compare to VGS' sound on this CD. If you have any doubts just check out the sample of Insubordination. Just get it, you'll see what I'm talking about.

Voodoo glow skulls
Voodoo glow skulls is one of the best ska bands of today. With a combination of punk as well this cd is a must! This is they're first cd, and is still as good as their newest one, if not the best one!

THIS IS A GOOD DEBUT
This Cd is awesome. There isn't a bad song anywhere on it. SOngs like insubordination and Country phuck make this CD worth it. I bought this CD in las vegas in ceasars palace, and i had never heard a song on it, but i didn't worry because these guys have trouble writing bad songs, but this cD is great. Good for anyone

***It Rocks!***
The most SKA-like of Voodoo's albums. This is one of my favorite albums of all time! If you like fast, loud, and horns...BUY IT! Nothin' better... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

this is the bomb that blew the ska world open!
you have no idea how good this is. If you be down, with a face so long it takes an hour to shave, this will bring you right up. its that good. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Only the shrewdest music fan will remember that Goldfinger once threatened to trouble artists like No Doubt and Sugar Ray on the charts. The band's commercial stock has dipped since the runaway success of 1996's smirking ska-punk hit "Here in Your Bedroom," but, despite several key lineup changes, the members have worked hard to maintain a respectable level of belligerence in their music. If they were only younger and worked off those beer guts (and perhaps wore less clothing) they would undoubtedly give Blink-182 chase with adrenaline-packed songs like "Open Your Eyes" and "SpankBank." And if all were right in the world, "F*** Ted Nugent" ("I wish that he'd be gone / Chauvinistic Republican kills animals / He forgot how to write a song") would find a comfortable home on TRL. --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Excellent, Excellent
I got this CD a little over a week ago, and I must say its the only CD I've listened to. I read that a lot of hard-core Goldfinger fans don't like the album, which is fine. I used to only like a few songs from Goldfinger, whereas most of their stuff just seemed like poorly-written abrasive punk. However, when I got this CD, I was pleasantly suprised, and I absolutely love it. Sure, it's more poppy, but if you can get over the fact that Goldfinger has actually gotten better at song-writing rather than label them as pop-punk, then you'll enjoy this record. It's catchy and overall just plain rocks. Like others have said, if you like Blink 182, Green Day, or any other mainstream punk band, check out this CD. Top tracks? Probably Radio, Happy, and Going Home, in that order.

Well, it's still Goldfinger...
Goldfinger is a very cool band with a lot of talent and the ability to play a fantastic live show.

However, the new album retains the Gold energy but lacks the creativity of previous works. For the second straight album, much of Goldfinger's ska content is kept in check. Punk power is present, yet this album suffers from the virus infecting new music recently; it all sounds the same. I mean, you can tell it's Goldfinger, it's not like they sound Blink-ish but it seemed the well was running a little dry this time around.

Some highlights include the first two tracks, "Going Home" and "Spokesman", both of which are reminiscent of the older days. "Decison" is kool, and "Happy" is really sweet guitar work. "Radio" is very, very good and is a nice way to wind down your listening session. The rest, however, is just kind of blah.

When Goldfinger first emerged onto the national music scene with "Here in your Bedroom" I thought they had no chance of getting over the one hit wonder bump, but their mix of punk and ska survived the harsh world of radio-played music. I just purchased the new Weezer a week prior to this and both albums, although good, have fallen into the state of being unable to compete with previous efforts.

Great, Even if It's Not Hang-Ups...
The first Goldfinger CD I ever bought was Hang-Ups (for Superman) and I loved the entire CD. Well, I got a few extra bucks, and decided to go down to the store and buy another Goldfinger album, and I picked up this. When I first played it, first thing that came to mind was that it was ENTIRELY different from Hang-Ups, but not in a bad way. I am very open-minded with my rock music, I like all kinds (except maybe Death Metal), so the loss of Ska music in this album wasn't an insult to me at all. I personally like John's voice better rocking then making melodic sounds like in Ska. Well, if you are not yet convinced to buy this CD, I will give you a wrap up of the playlist.

[1] Going Home(4/5) - Short and sweet little intro song (about a minute and ½), I especially like the feedback in the intro, and it gets you in the feel for the rest of the album.
[2] Spokesman(5/5) - Another song that made me a huge Goldfinger fan. Talks about how the music of today has changed into more of a business than an art. Great lyrics, great music, great song.
[3] Open Your Eyes (4/5)- Awesome, powerful song. This song is about the slaughter of animals to make food. They really let their vegan colors fly in this one. The only reason why this is a four, is because I really don't like the screaming mid-track.
[4] Decision (4/5)- Very catchy song, very punk. I can't seem to get this song out of my head. The guitar in it reminds you somewhat of older Goldfinger.
[5] Dad (4/5)- Slow, peaceful, beginning, but turns heavier and louder later. Kind of poppy guitar, and always, Dangerous Darrin proves great on drums.
[6] Tell Me (4/5)- Another song that starts out soft and turns heavy (though not as heavy as "Dad"). Great lyrics, and the acoustic in the beginning of the song is pretty cool
[7] Liar (1/5)- Nothing spectacular, as it is a 19 second, not even a song (these are all the lyrics: Everybody lies/ What you gonna do). I normally just skip over this one
[8] January (4/5)- This is probably the slowest song on the album, not a bad thing though. John shows his lyrical talent in this one, but this is a great song that leads up to...
[9] Happy (5/5)- I LOVE this song, the guitar intro, the great lyrics, this song is close to my favorite on the album (next to Spokesman and Radio)
[10] Woodchuck (3/5)- Another not-even-a-minute song, but this one is actually kind of funny, since it makes fun of the Metal genre, whereas Liar serves no purpose at all.
[11] It's Your Life (4/5)- Another song kind of like January, but this one has better vocals, where january had better guitar. This song is very good.
[12] Spank Bank (3/5)- One more joke-song on the playlist, this one tops the minute. Not for the non-sick-minded, as this song is about masturbation. But if you like Goldfinger, chances are you are sick minded
[13] Youth (4/5)- This one is nothing special, it has good guitars and everything, but it really does not stand out to me.
[14] Radio (5/5)- This song is the best! Great chorus, and it kinda gets you stoked when you here the whole band singing. Definately a party song.
[15] FTN (4/5)- Extremely funny, makes fun of Ted Nugent for being cruel to animals, and calls Jennifer Lopez fat (finally another guy who isn't obsessed with her). Great fun.
[16] (No name) (3/5)- Hidden track of prank phone calls. They are kind of childish, but they are quite funny.
[17} Wayne Gretzky (4/5) Hillarious! Dangerous Darrin (the drummer) plays guitar and sings about Wayne Gretzky. Although somewhat disturbing, very funny.

If this hasn't sold you, I don't know what will. If you are a music/Goldfinger fan like myself, go out and get this album. Especially if you are somebody who doesn't criticize the music just because they are stuck in the past with their Ramones and Sex Pistols. This is great NOW, and if you just listen to one song, you will agree with me.

Yep
I like this new direction from goldfinger. They got rid of the ska on stomping ground (good move, although i enjoyed the self-titled album) and now they have introduced more pop now charlie has left. Usually i hate punk bands turning pop but goldfinger make it work well. This is also goldfinger's best album lyrically, which is clearly their weakest aspect. Probably a good starting point if your interested in the band.

Not GF's best work
It is clear why the music style on Open Your Eyes differs, and is a bit harder, than previous Goldfinger albums. With the departure of Charlie, their former lead guitarist, so went some of the punk/ska style. Their current lead guitarist used to be in the band Unloco, which is more of a hard rock band. It's natural that with his hard rock influences that Goldfinger's music will follow suit. He brings a whole new side of creativity to the table. That being said, the album does have its moments. Woodchuck, though short and campy, exhibits that newly-found harder edge. Also, Radio helps bridge the gap between GF's new sound and old. In a sense, the songs do not feel sincere as a whole. It is as though the band wrote them in an effort to release something new and to provide new material to play live. Let's hope that the next GF album strives to provide the experience that late-90s GF albums did, even though their music style has evolved through the years. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Jamaican Smokin' Jazz
David Hillyard & the Rocksteady 7 is one of those obscure discs that will be a treat to uncover. They formed to create a fusion between Jamaican music, ska & jazz; and the hybrid bubbles with energy and excitement. Two instrumentals capture the imagination. The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood" because it is a familiar tune given a totally new twist as a reggae jazz blast that is excellent. My other favorite is "Skavez" with its Cuban rhythms of piano mixed with a reggae beat. "Hillyard Street" sounds like a soul version of a Ramsey Lewis track. Eddie Ocampo of the reggae band Insteps does some fancy drum work on the driving "Father & Son." The title track is like a Jamaican Duke Ellington. "Ugly Man Blues" has a zany urgency combined with a Peter Gunn like theme. "Playtime" is a mostly instrumental explosion. Seek & you shall find! Enjoy!

RRRRRRROCKSTEADY!!
David Hillyard is an utter legend. Aside from playing with, among others, the Slackers, Stubborn All-Stars, Hepcat, etc, he also has his Rocksteady Seven, featuring members of, amongst others, Mephiskapheles, the Skatalites, Skavoovie and the Epitones, plus the legend that is Vic Ruggiero. This is, as you'd expect, prime ska, reggae and, (naturally) rocksteady. It's mostly instrumental, apart from a couple of tracks featuring the guys from Hepcat. You have to hand it to Tim and Hellcat, this is another fine skankin release. Standout track: an awesome cover of the Beatles 'Norwegian Wood'

Great CD for all you saxophone/reggae fans
I never heard of David Hillyard until just recently, and I have to tell you I really like his style. This is a very good cd. Most of the songs are instrumental, but the two songs that have vocals "Angry Lady" and "The Fool" are excellent. "Angry Lady" is probably one of my new favorite songs. If anybody has any more information about this great saxist, please email me. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bringing together the original cuts of classic tracks such as"Skylarking" and Dawn Penn's instantly recognizable "No, No, No,"Studio One Rockers showcases not only the talents of influentialartists that were to become synonymous with reggae but also the styles,sounds, and, above all, rhythms that were to dominate Kingston studiosinto the 1970s and beyond. There are a number of rock-steady classics(hence the name), with tracks like Hammond-Organ maestro Jackie Mittoo's "Hot Milk" and the legendary Marcia Griffiths's "Feel Like Jumping" highlighting the then-dramaticchange in style away from the faster beats of ska towards heavy,bass-led tracks with a much slower tempo. But Studio One Rockers isnot restricted to this. The semi-instrumental track "Phoenix City"pounds along at a breakneck pace with trumpets belting and, along with"Greedy G," shows the importance a faster beat, a funky take, or abig-band sound also had within the Studio One fold. There are tracks fromDJs like Lone Ranger withhis "Badder Dan Dem" vocal rhythms and dancehall sounds. Roots artistsinclude one of its biggest stars, Horace Andy, whose then uniquefalsetto was later emulated by many looking for a similar pop success.Then a preteen, reggae star Freddy McGregor also appears on "BobbyBabylon." Freddy, like many of the artists here, was to produce some ofhis best work under the watchful eye of Studio One's equally famousproducer--Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. In many ways a tribute to Coxsone'sproduction skills and rhythms that continue to be rediscovered andrecut, Studio One Rockers is essential listening for anyone witheven a passing interest in Jamaican music. --Caroline Butler ... Read more

Reviews (4)

a real find
MMMM. After I had thought that I had acquired all the good studio one stuff, I took a chance on this and was duly rewarded.

Some familiar stuff (to me, at least), such as Johnny Osbourne, the Skatalites, but it mixes in nicely.

For those who aren't familiar, the best way I can think of to describe Johnny Osbourne's sound is Marvin Gaye singing reggae. That same silky smooth voice and enormous range, backed by a soulful organ and floating tempo. This track is a good example of his sound and a true classic.

The Skatellites use a lot of horns and are largely instrumental. But classic. More of a choogling, ska-type beat (ie faster) than Osbourne. The Phoenix City song on this album has got to be my favorite Skatalites song - and that's really saying something, because they have made a lot of classic tracks.

Similar for Horace Andy - probably my new favorite Horace Andy song. This track does not have much of his trademark screeching and instead has him singing much more like an early Jimmy Cliff style (circa the harder they come).

Dawn Penn's track is smooth, sultry and a godsend. I played this at a bar and most of the patrons asked who it was. Almost recalls something by the Cowboy Junkies or Mazzy Star in terms of the vocal style. Just beautiful.

Other high points are the Freddie MacGregor & Lennie Hibbert tracks. All in all, the only track I'm not completely sold on is the crabwalking track by Prince Jazzbo, simply because its just rapping over the Horace Andy track and the cuts aren't all that crisp. But a lot of other people would probably like it.

The Cover Says It All
So, I'm in the record store a while back picking through the same ol' stuff. I was getting frustrated because I felt like all I ever do is look at the same thing over and over without new results. Since I practically live for music, you can imagine how frustrating it is to come to a dead end with music experiences. Especially knowing there is more out there than you've been exposed to so far.

On my honeymoon to the islands I became fairly familiar with reggae. Mind you, I'm not an expert by any means. Every cab driver there listened to reggae. I couldn't believe how nice the cabs were and how much money they put into their stereos. Anyway, they all listened to reggae. It was my first real exposure to the music, but it really gave me something to associate it with. Since that time I have been a huge fan.

This collection of artists is a great one. The first time I ever heard it, it took me back to the islands immediately. It was everything I was looking for. I needed it, too. I had hit a dead end with the music I was listening to. I had been begging for a new genre to experience. Reggae seemed perfect.

Needless to say, as I was in the store, a friend of mine recommended this album and proceeded to give me some of the history behind it. As I listened, I briefly perused the back cover to see how many songs and artists were on the compilation. Enough to keep me busy for a while. I have since searched for many of the artists on this album with great results. I really owe a lot to this album. I really owe a lot to reggae. It showed me a new side to music when I really needed it.

The album starts off with "Real Rock" by Soul Dimension. This song has one of the thickest reggae sounds I've heard. Immediately you know that this album is going to take a lot of stress away. Next is the wonderful song by Marcia Griffiths titled "Feeling Like Jumping." There is also an appearance by the great Horace Andy. I have been familiar with some of his dub work. "Truth and Rights" by Johnny Osborne is one of my favorites on the album. Probably my favorite. For a moment you might think it's The Fugees.

If you are into reggae or are looking for something that might get you into it, I would recommed this compilation. It has some of the greatest songs. Put this on after school or work on Friday afternoon and enjoy life. You could put it on anytime and get the same feeling. Friday afternoon just happens to be my favorite time of the week.

Skankable !
This is a collection of storming classic's cut for Clement " Coxsone " Dodd's legendary Studio One record label ( the most important label in Jamaica's history ) . The Ska , Rocksteady , organ driven instrumentals , Roots Reggae , and DJ-ing that are represented on this disc will have you skanking around your living room floor , such is the dancability of all the tracks .
Any record that contains seminal tracks like Marcia Griffiths - " Feel Like Jumping " , Johnny Osbourne's - " Truth And Rights " , Michigan and Smiley's - " Eye Of Danger " , Dawn Penn's classic - " No , No , No " , and Cedric Brooks majestic - " Ethiopia " , has to be a must buy cd . It also comes with a nice booklet that has an interview with the great man himself , Mr C.S. Dodd .
I'd also recommend the Dynamite series of reggae compilations released on the Soul Jazz label , as they are also essential .

Greatness is found only when your not looking for it!
I was at my local Vinyl shop(thats pretty much where I am at all times anyway)and I was done buying my wax just about to leave when out of nowhere i saw this green box set and it was calling my name saying "hey bouy com and took a look at dis" and well i picked it up and I saw the allstar line up and after listening to it....I was sold. Almost flawless in my opinion and it still has that old school sound and vibe that just hardly exists anymore. I definitely recommend this album, but I've looked around and this thing is no where to be found. Bottom line... If you can find it BUY IT!! ... Read more

Album Description

To celebrate their 10-year anniversary the band decided toremix and remaster their first full length and what betterlabel to do it on than Fueled By Ramen, which is owned by Vinnie (Drummer of Less Than Jake). 2002. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

It's PezcorE
very good cd remake of ltj's first all the songs r good much of an old skool style

Fab
I've got all of the Less Than Jake records, and their best of CD, and of the albums this (their debut) seems to be one of the best. They play ultra-energetic ska-punk, they have cool shouty vocals and they sound great. This record contains such classics as "Liqour Store", "Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts" and "Jen Doesn't Like Me Anymore", which you may have heard in clubs if you've been lucky. So if you like ska-punk, this is a must buy, although a better introduction to the band is probably the Pezz collection, which has all of the stand-out tracks I mentioned, plus loads more from their (many, many) other records.

Classic
Are you crazy. This is classic ska-punk from one of the most inovative and creative bands there is.

Less Than Jake has done it once again
Less Than Jake has always been my all-time favorite band and I have loved almost every single song they have ever written. This is the re-recorded version of the album they put out back n 94, Pezcore. The original Pezore was fine just the way it was, except for the {poor}recording quality, which has been fixed in this version. The style they used for this album is the standard ska sound, as opposed to their newer "punk with a horns section", used on both Hello Rockview and Borders and Boundaries. I HIGHLY recommend this CD to anyone who has ever heard and liked a Less Than Jake song.

10 yrs Later, It's still Great!
Seeing as the original version of Pezcore is an excellent cd, this new version HAS to be good, right? That in mind, the 10 year birthday re-release is just as good as the original, if not better. First off, all aspects of the cd have been polished to a shine, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you like your music. All the guitar riffs, blasting horns, and blazing vocals play with amazing clarity for an album that was recorded 10 years ago on a small budget. The new artwork for the booklet is great and is filled with all sorts of interesting little tidbits of info and interesting little pictures. My favorites would have to be the picture of the little girl eating cereal from a box that says "Less Than Jake O's" and Vinnie talking about how he framed the rejection letter from FAT in which Fat Mike tells the guys to "not quit your day job." But should you buy the new Pezcore? Well yes, and no. Yes if: A) you don't already own any version of it or B) If you are a really big LTJ fan who loved the original Pezcore. No if: A)you already own it and don't see the point in buying something you already have B)You didn't like the original Pezcore. Let's face it, if you didn't like it 10 years ago, your not gonna like it now.

I give it 5 stars because despite losing a little bit of its raw edge, Pezcore is still just plain old great music. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Avoid! Don't be fooled by the cheap price
I unfortunately own this one (not much longer) and have analyzed it carefully. There are several reasons for why you shouldn't buy this, even though the price is very low.

1. They are not all ska tracks. 5 of them are Rock Steady, 4 are Early Reggae, 3 are UK Reggae (by the Pyramids) and 5 sounds very modern, from the 80's or newer. This could have been acceptable if they were sequenced in an intelligent manner. They are not.

2. The mastering is poor. I have several of these songs on better compilations and by comparison these sounds harsh, like they have tried to increase the treble too much.

3. Many songs are not so great. Half of the songs are instrumentals, mostly by the Skatalities under other names (like Tommy McCoook, Roland Alphonso or Don Drummond). These songs are not the best of The Skatalites, more like the worst of. A few exceptions of course, classics like Silver Dollar, Eastern Standard Time are included. But if you like The Skatalites there are compilations with better songs and better sound quality. 'Foundation Ska' on Heartbeat and 'Guns of Navarone: The Best of' on Trojan comes highly recommended.

4. Proper seems to be a shady record label with a business concept that means they are trying to circumvent the copyright laws. They claim they have "licenced" these tracks from Enzo Hamilton, and he's often accused of being a notorious bootlegger of reggae music.

5. There would be room for all the songs on only 3CD's.

A good place to start your ska collection would instead be this: Rough & Tough - The Story of Ska (2CD's, Trojan). Good songs, good sound, and it's rather inexpensive too!

Plan and Simple - Great 60s Ska at an incredible price.
Fan of third wave ska? Looking to explore ska's original roots? This is the perfect set to buy. Extensive, plentiful, Skatalite heavy and dirt cheap. This will open the doors to the wonderful world of 60s ska. You might even be surprised at how many songs you recognize considering how often third wave ska bands covered the originals. One thing, don't expect super high quality. Not that this set is 'poor.' It's that these songs were all originally produced on subpar recording equipment. Enjoy!

An absolute steal
If you want to hear an incredible amount of first-rate Jamaican ska at an incredibly reasonable price, this is the set for you.

This collection is grounded in a lot of first-rate work by the Skatalites, including a lots of songs listed under Tommy McCook, Don Drummond, and other individual members of the band. There's also an excellent sampling of early Toots and the Maytals as well, including the classics "Monkey Man" and "54-46 Was My Number", and John Holt's original version of "The Tide Is High", which was later a big hit for Blondie, of course) is also here. In addition, there are literally dozens of outstanding songs from bands I'd simply never heard of, including Blue Rivers & the Maroons doing the ska classic "Guns of Navarone" and Nora Dean doing "Oh Mama."

There's only one song by Desmond Dekker, one by Laurel Aitken, and none by Prince Buster, so this is by no means the last word in Jamaican Ska. However, there are CDs in print from each of these artists. A lot of the songs on this collection, you simply can't find anywhere else.

As box sets go, the packaging is pretty ordinary--just jewel cases in a box with liner notes. As far as I can tell, this is the only sacrifice you make buying this set. There is an excellent essay filling the 20-plus page liner notes, but unfortunately, no details on the recording, though this could well be because this information simply doesn't exist. Still, it would have been nice to know who played on what recordings, since the lineups seem to vary so much. The sound quality is very good in most cases, though none of this music was recorded under pristine conditions, so don't expect audiophile recordings. A few songs seem to show the limitations of the source material.

Though the price on this set is terrific, this would still be a first-rate collection at twice the price. Highly recommended to anyone interested in Jamaican ska, whether it's your first CD in the genre, or you have a substantial collection.

A great bargain
This box set holds 80 tracks of Jamaican music from the 1960s. A detailed booklet describes the history of the style and the musicians. The music is relaxed, charming, great fun to listen to. If you've never heard Ska, get this set and try it. The price is a bargain. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With the goofiness of Dookie-era Green Day (not to mention their punk punch) and the skank of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Goldfinger put it all together on their debut for Mojo, and took it to the charts (as well as an opening slot on the Sex Pistols' reunion tour). Funny, catchy, it was nothing more than bubblegum, but that was fine. America's always had an open ear for pop music, whatever way it's wrapped up, and the ska package on this caught the No Doubt Zeitgeist. The right time, the right place, the right album for Goldfinger. Chris Nickson ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Great CD!!!!!! Gets you going!
I bought this goldfinger CD after hearing it once in the background at my work. It is so great!!! It's pumping ska that has a talent unlike any other band. If you are wondering if you should buy a goldfinger CD or don't know which one to get first... then stop your search and BUY THIS ONE! I swear its great. my favorite songs are: mind's eye, here in your bedroom, anxiety, answers, mable. Every track is great and unique.

You'll love Goldfinger from the start to finish. Great CD!!!

awesome mix of ska and punk
After hearing Goldfinger's song Vintage Queen on the American Pie soundtrack, I decided that I had to have one of their CD's. I bought this one and liked it so much, I bought Hang-Ups soon after. I'd have to say that I like Hang-Ups a little better, but this one is near-perfect. Mable is definately my favorite song on the album. It's hilarious. My other favorites are Pictures and Answers but the whole CD is great. If this is your first Goldfinger album and you're into ska, buy Hang-Ups first, but if you mostly like punk, buy the debut.

Goldfinger's best album
Goldfinger's self-titlted album is near-perfect. Without a doubt, one of the catchiest punk albums I've ever heard and maybe Goldfinger's best album-to-date (although Stomping Ground is pretty damn close). This is a fun and fast cd, perfect for a drive to the beach with the top rolled down. These songs will stick in your head for a long ass time.

Two favorite songs on the album: "Here in Your Bedroom" and "Nothing to Prove". But there is not one song on the cd that is not worthy of being a hit. The cd opens with a bang and never lets up. It has a great mix of pop-punk, ska, and even a hardcore song.

Go pick up this cd right now.

Kickin' It
Ok, so my review has a bit of a bias...I really love Goldfinger, and have since I was 15 (that's 6+ years now). I have to take a minute to give this album its due...everyone ought to give this CD a shot. I'm not going to sit here and say that the lyrics are profound...because they're not. The sound...well, it's not exactly original... Their image, ok, so it's been done before, too. There is nothing absolutely spectacular about Goldfinger... yet, there is something wonderfully addictive and fun about this first album of theirs. It's a classic in my book, and as I've grown older, I've moved far away from this type of music, yet I'll always come back to this CD and hail it as one of my best CD purchases of all time. Not to mention, these guys really deserve all of the fame they can get, because they're great guys. They really earn their money - they are amazing live, they are the most fan-friendly show I've ever seen. So give this CD a shot, I REALLY don't think you'll regret it (though it is remotely possible!), but more importantly - check them out live if you get the chance. Then you'll find a true appreciation for them!!

Possibly THE best neo-punk album of the 90s
Goldfinger exploded onto a 1996 music scene that was glutted with neo-punk bands trying to soak up the success achieved by Green Day and the Offspring. On the surface, Goldfinger appeared another cutesy-pop-punk band (a la Blink 182), but the deeper one listens to their self-titled debut, the more their talent and worth shines through.

The single "Here in Your Bedroom" seemed on the surface to be a silly song about sex, but the MTV crowd may have missed the lyrics that spoke of insecurities and fear of intimacy. The whole album is laced with self-doubt and pain. While expressed in a major key with happy-sounding vocals, most of the songs on "Goldfinger" are raw, simple assesments of failed relationships, anxiety in everyday life and the difficulty of staying afloat.

I love this album. I will sing myself hoarse listening to it, because it's just so damn much fun. There's not a song on here that I don't like, from the reggae beats of "King for a Day" to the supercharged catharsis of "The City With Two Faces", all these songs are short, sharp, and full of musical punch. My favorites are "Miles Away" (one of the world's best love songs), "Anxiety", "Anything", "Mable" and "Answers."

They aren't as political as Rancid, but Goldfinger has the same relentless energy that blasts through in their music. This album is raucous, rocking, and wonderful; you have to check it out at least once. ... Read more