Thursday, December 22, 2016

The Duff Guide to Ska: Year in Ska Reviews - 2016 Edition

(All Reviews by Steve Shafer)

Here we are at that time of the year again when we all take stock of the twelve months that have just passed. I tend to look at my failings, instead of the accomplishments (I could have reviewed many more releases, seen more shows, etc.). Having said that, I am proud of and stand by everything I've written here and hope that these words have helped steer you/turn you on to some amazing ska bands and music.

Below, please find links to all of The Duff Guide to Ska reviews of 2016, in case you missed anything, want to reassess a particular release, or re-read a review or two.

I'd also be remiss not to mention all of the ska musicians that we lost in 2016, including Prince Buster, Lord Tanamo, Jimmy Riley, John Bradbury, Clyde Grimes, Jr. of The Untouchables, Al Fletcher of The Selecter/Skaville UK, Roy Radics of The Rudie Crew, Dan "Brukky" Klein of The Frightnrs, and we just learned of Rudy "Valentino" Jones--the tenor saxophonist for The Trojans--who passed away this week (12/21/16). All of you will be sorely missed by many.

Albums

1592: Family of Choice

The Amphetameanies: Last Chance Bordello

The Beat Featuring Ranking Roger: Bounce

The Bionic Rats: T.B.R.

Sammy Buzz: The Buzzman Cometh

Susan Cadogan: Take Me Back 

The Crombies: Dance Crazee

The Downsetters: The Asylum Hotel

The Frightnrs: Nothing More to Say (review TK)

The Frits: The Greatest Frits

Vivien Goldman: Resolutionary (Songs 1979-1982)

Arthur Kay and The Originals: Rare 'n' Tasty reissue

Madness: Can't Touch Us Now

Massive Attack v. Mad Professor: No Protection reissue

N.S.T. and The Soul Sauce: Heaven is Here/Song for Rico EP

J. Navarro and The Traitors: Criminals and Lions

Phoenix City All-stars: Searching for the Young Ska Rebels

Pyrotechnist: Dub Rocketry

Rhoda Dakar: The Lotek Four, Volume I (review TK)

Rico: Man from Wareika/Wareika Dub expanded reissue

Max Romeo: Horror Zone

Joe Scholes: Songbook, Volume II

Sonic Boom Six: The F-Bomb

The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra: Bite the Bullet

The Toasters: Skaboom reissue

The Untouchables: The Duff Guide to The Untouchables

The Uptown Ska Collective: The Uptown EP

Various Artists: Money Maker

Various Artists: Skinhead Reggae 1969

Various Artists: Trembling Earth - A Scottish Ska Compilation


7" and 12" Singles 

The Abruptors: "Buffalo Ska"

Laurel Aitken and The Ruts: "The Peel Sessions"

The Bishops: "The Ol' 49R" b/w "The Black and Tan"

Dennis Bovell: "Heaven" 12" reissue

Dennis Bovell: "Row, Row, Row" b/w "River Dub"

Empire of Two: "Let Us Live"

Lynval Golding and Contra Coup: "Know Your Rights" 12"

Natalie Wouldn't: "Natalie Wouldn't"

The Ruts: "Psychic Attack" b/w "Vox Teardrop (Instrumental)"

Secret Affair: "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" b/w "Crumble Gunn"

The Selecter/The Beat: "Breakdown" b/w "Side To Side" split single

The Ska Flames: "Hoppin' Steppin'" b/w "Someday" and "El Camino" b/w "Hometown Waltz"

Yellowcap: "Around the World"

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Other Reviews and Pieces of Note

Review of The Selecter at The Gramercy Theatre on 10/6/16

The Duff Guide to Ska Remembers David Bowie

The Duff Guide to Ska Remembers Prince

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See what The Duff Guide to Ska reviewed during 2015 here!

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