![[Skankaholics Unanimous]](skankaholics.gif)
Various Artists
Skankaholics Unanimous
Moon Ska (CD)
Skankaholics Unanimous is a fine example of the type of innovative
work that Moon Ska Records is making possible. Each of the 20 bands
presented here have their own unique take on ska -- from jazzy to loungey
to big band-y to calypso-ey to . . . I think you catch my drift.
S.U. offers a full range of ground-breaking ska concepts. The first
sound you'll encounter is the loping western
swing of "More Whiskey" (by the rockabilly-ska outfit The New York Ska-Jazz
Ensemble). Further on you'll hear the
Influenced-by-John-Lee-Hooker-in-Title-Only "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One
Beer" by Dr. Ring-Ding & the Senior All-Stars, which sounds more like some
kind of tex-mex/reggae mutt than anything else. A more pure musical
tribute can be found on The Pietasters' fairly true arrangement of the
Charlie Parker tune "Gin & Tonic". The charm of Skankaholics
Unanimous lies in its constituent bands' multiple takes on that ol'
familiar theme called ska. --Noah Wane