by The Melbourne Ska Orchestra
For more than a decade The Melbourne Ska Orchestra have been ubiquitous on the Australian music festival circuit. Lead by Nicky Bomba the 30 odd members of the group have converted countless Aussies to the music of ska with their irresistibly energetic live show. Skanking, the highly kinetic dance which goes with ska music like moshing goes with Megadeath, is contagious at all Ska Orchestra gigs.
So their debut album has been a long time coming, happily it was worth the wait. For those who found their live performance so infectious this album will have you skanking around your living room just as hard. Just be careful to secure any vases, family heirlooms or furniture nearby before you put it in your CD player.
The band show their affinity for classic Jamaican rocksteady and ska music on tracks like “Time To Wake Up” and instrumental boogie “Katoomba.” Yet they are a distinctly and proudly Melbourne based group. The song “Lygon St Meltdown” puts a reggae beat to the famous story of Melbourne’s sordid underworld murders. All of the songs are infused with the orchestra’s own powerful horn section, the source of their unique and instantly identifiable sound.
For lovers of ska and new converts alike the new album is great listening fun. Here’s hoping we’re not waiting another ten years for the next one.
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