Strictly For You, Vol. Two

Album review

Jump With Joey's third album essentially extends the concept of their second release, where they teamed up with some young ska gunslingers and revered veterans. This one brings in former Skatalite, the now-late Roland Alophonso on sax, with Studio One head honcho, the legendary Coxsone Dodd, picking the tunes and co-producing. The result is some remarkably appealing and musically worthwhile traditional ska, mostly trawling through Dodd's back catalog, whether in familiar material like "James Bond" or lesser-known cuts like "Look Away." Of course, it wouldn't be Jump With Joey if they didn't slightly stretch their wings, and the pre-ska "Boogie Shuffle" allows them to do exactly that, while two originals, "Ramoncito," with its "Guns of Navarrone" feel, and "Dr. Ying Yang," fit in perfectly. Alphonso gets plenty of solo time, and his maturity since early Skatalites days is a joy to behold. He was always good, but here, in sympathetic and skillful backing, he positively shines, as do trumpeter Cain, trombonist Ralicke, and saxophonist Bill Ungerman, who can almost match Alphonso note for note. With some fabulous arrangements, especially the Latin-flavored "Un Poquito De Tu Amor," and clean, open production by Dodd, this is a collaboration that succeeds, bringing out the very best in everyone concerned, and breathing fresh life into some great old (and new) music.
© Chris Nickson /TiVo