Stubborn All-Stars

[El_Jeffe]

back in the early 90's skinnerbox frontman jeff baker (aka "king django") had a mission, to put together a ska 'supergroup' made up of musicians within the incredibly talented & abundant new york ska culture. he knew what sound he wanted to make & began looking for musicians who had that wonderful familiarity & ability to play traditional jamaican ska. django found the sound he was looking for - ska in a very traditional jamaican style, that also reconnected with the roots of american rhythm & blues

borrowing members from bands like the slackers (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=186066&highlight=The+Slackers+%28Official+ Thread%29), the skatalites (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=254154), the radiation kings, the toasters (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=189174&highlight=The+Toasters+%28Official+ Thread%29), skinner box, the insteps, agent 99, dub is a weapon, rancid, the mighty mighty bosstones, etc, the band has so far managed to put out 3 (often overlooked) classics of modern ska. albums that fuse ska, reggae, rock-steady, r&b & even dub into such an independent sound. every member plays their instrument so well, but stand outs would have to be dave hillyard (the slackers) & roland alphonso (the skatalites) both on saxophone. django's smooth vocals that wail so wonderfully over the sweet rhythms & vic ruggiero (the slackers & someone i think is one of the most incredible musicians/singers/songwriters in modern music, genre regardless) on keys/organ. on the surface this music seems rather simple, but after a couple listens you can really hear the complexity

since there's no streaming tunes that i could find, i've upped a couple tunes from their second album, 97's back with a new batch, which tends to focus more so on rhythm. the youtube below is a tune from 95's album open season, which focuses more on well written horn lines. enjoy guys

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QQJQ4UL8

ijGnBqVw7JY

any fans, share some love & discussion?

[hairsprayqueen]

wow, this is quite classic. it sounds great! (the video) very catchy/jazzy.

[El_Jeffe]

wow, this is quite classic. it sounds great! (the video) very catchy/jazzy.

yea it's great isn't it mate? that tune 'tin spam' is the opener to their first album open season,which straight away you tell the band is putting a call out to ska bands/musicians to create something like the days of old. it's wonderful. the tunes i upped are even better mate, so help yaself. i just wanted to show some sweet dance moves with that youtube haha

who said ska was dead haha

[hairsprayqueen]

i know right? haha thanks

[El_Jeffe]

anyone grab the tunes & enjoy? this is probably the closest ska (other than from the 2tone era) i have that i could see all you "punk/ska" fans getting into as well

[hairsprayqueen]

last year i bought 2 cds of ska from 1960 - 1966... its sweet. i forget the name... but it was from trojan records or something...

[Dr. Acula]

Goood goood stuff. I havent heard their second album...but I dig the first. Is it just as good/better Craig?

[El_Jeffe]

last year i bought 2 cds of ska from 1960 - 1966... its sweet. i forget the name... but it was from trojan records or something...

ahh the trojan compilations, worth there weight in gold if ya ask me mate. classic after classic. i've got a good range of them too. if you enjoyed that, ya should pick up a compilation or two from the studio one collection. same era, but better music haha. i wrote a brief summary about both in my ska history article. both culturally significant labels though

Goood goood stuff. I havent heard their second album...but I dig the first. Is it just as good/better Craig?

good to see a fan! back with a new batch is every bit as good, if not better, than the debut open season. both great albums though. the debut is more hornline heavy, where the follow-up is all about rhythm (just listen to those complex keys/organ lines from vic). that cheeky megaupload link i posted has a handful of tunes from the second album, so help yaself mate

[Dr. Acula]

good to see a fan! back with a new batch is every bit as good, if not better, than the debut open season. both great albums though. the debut is more hornline heavy, where the follow-up is all about rhythm (just listen to those complex keys/organ lines from vic). that cheeky megaupload link i posted has a handful of tunes from the second album, so help yaself mate

I loooove Open Season so I'll check it out for sure! Thanks for the tunes also.

[versus_god]

Very nice! I'm definitely loving the tracks you uploaded, with "Because of You" and "Pick Yourself Up" being standouts for me.

[Genuma]

I'll be sure to check this out later.

[El_Jeffe]

Very nice! I'm definitely loving the tracks you uploaded, with "Because of You" and "Pick Yourself Up" being standouts for me.

oh cool, stoked ya liked this. you're tastes intrigue me somewhat haha. i know when it comes to ska you're more into punk/ska, which is sweet as, but it's great how open you are to other ska paths. with you're ska background being more 'punk' orientated it makes for some cool perspectives

I'll be sure to check this out later.

good on ya, hope you enjoy

[El_Jeffe]

just threw on open season, times are good. django sums up my thoughts on ska music rather well in "tin spam" too haha

i like things slow & groovy, i like things built to last...