Ball Of Fire

The amazing thing is not that the Skatalites, the group that pretty much invented Jamaican pop music in the early '60s, reformed in the '90s, but that their albums since the reformation are, in a much different way, every bit the equal of the hits that made their name. The band's '90s material mixes ska with the vintage bebop-era jazz that most of the members were playing before the group formed, and BALL OF FIRE continues that remarkable fusion.

Consisting entirely of new, jazzier arrangements of old ska tunes, a concept first explored on 1996's GREETINGS FROM SKAMANIA, BALL OF FIRE is a most instructive primer for people for whom ska means the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

The front line of horn-men, here featuring original members tenor saxophonist Roland Alphono and alto Lester Sterling (the great Tommy McCook, who died shortly after this album was released, does not appear) has always attracted most of the attention. However, the Skatalites' secret weapon has always been bassist Lloyd Brevitt and drummer Lloyd Knibb, the tightest rhythm section in '60s ska and every bit the equal of Sly and Robbie or Aston and Carlton Barrett.

Tracks:
1. James Bond Theme
2. Latin Goes Ska
3. Confucious
4. Occupation
5. Rock Fort Rock
6. Eastern Standard Time
7. Ball Of Fire
8. Swing Easy
9. Ringo
10. Freedom Sound