Word: redlight
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...Slackers from Hellcat Records, a label synonymous with new up-and-coming ska bands, have recently followed up their first two records, Better Late than Never and Redlight, with The Question. If you are already a fan of theirs, you will not be disappointed. Victor Ruggiero still leads The Slackers with his sexy, scratchy voice, and they still pump out that strong reggae-ska-calypso-swing beat. The Question, being their third record since 1990, exhibits a progression towards integrating new diverse sounds, influenced by jazz, mambo, R&B and soul, into their traditional style. If you are somewhat familiar...
...steady beat and background ska tone. While shining on occasional solos, the musicianship of the Slackers is most apparent on a pair of superb instrumentals, "Cooking for Tommy" and "Tin Tin Deo," that mark the album's two opposite musical poles. "Cooking for Tommy" is the opening number on Redlight and is described by the band as "a major key, Latin-goes-ska number" that showcases the band's horns. "Tin Tin Deo," with guest percussionist Larry McDonald, exhibits the significant Jamaican reggae influence on the band's rhythm section...
Besides their instrumentals, the Slackers shine most brightly on their title track, "Redlight," a soulful song about a lost love that recalls the music of Bob Marley, and "I Still Love You," a synthesis of the two-tone ska beat with vocals reminiscent of the ageless classic songs that fortunately still flourish today on oldies radio stations. Throughout Redlight, the Slackers prove their mettle. Ska music, much like punk music, is easy to play but very difficult to make original. With this release, the Slackers unveil a new dimension in ska music that will hopefully spark greater recognition and more...
What the Pietasters set out to do--create a commercially popular ska album--the Slackers have accomplished without even trying. The Slackers do not fit into any commercial mold, but it would be difficut to find anyone who would dislike Redlight, as Victor Ruggiero (who luckily boasts of 200 new songs in his back pocket) and his six mates flaunt their musical talent and imagination to grand effect...
...most part, lack the true ska beat and are glaringly deficient in their use of horns. But what they seem to have done is what the nation's appetite for what ska sound demands. If you find that type of music at all appealing, go out and buy Redlight, because it represents everything that is good about ska music. As for the Pietasters' new album, leave it on the shelf. Although they bring with them a much bigger reputation and fan base, the Pietasters should scrap their tunes on Willis and give a listen to the Slackers. They just might...