Hepcat - Out of Nowhere
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Artist: Hepcat Title: Out of Nowhere Label: Hellcat Records UPC: 004577804252 Price: $11.98 |
Hepcat - Out of Nowhere Track Listing
1 - Dance Wid' Me - Hepcat, Berry, Deston
2 - The Secret - Hepcat, Berry, Deston
3 - Hooligans - Hepcat, Heaton
4 - Skavez - Hepcat, Hillyard, David
5 - Miss Congeniality - Hepcat, Berry, Deston
6 - Clarence Thomas - Hepcat, Berry, Deaton
7 - Prison of Love - Hepcat, Desert, Alex
8 - Earthquake and Fire - Hepcat, Berry, Deston
9 - All for You - Hepcat, Lee, Greg [1]
10 - Caravan (Skaravan) - Hepcat, Ellington
11 - Police Woman - Hepcat, Berry
12 - Same O' Same O' - Hepcat, Hillyard, David
13 - Train to Skaville - Hepcat, Dodd
14 - Nigel [*] - Hepcat, Sofer
15 - Club Meditation [*] - Hepcat, Berry
Hepcat - Out of Nowhere Reviews
Average Rating: 5.0
Rating: 5
I heard Hepcat's first release during the Ska revival that plagued MTV and pop-radio during the late 1990s, when people were force fed crap like Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake, being told how those bands were playing a type of Jamaican music made popular in the 1970s by British bands like The Specials and Madness. Man, comparing that Circus-Music to anything of the 2-Tone era is insulting enough, but putting it in the same category as classic Jamaican Ska and Reggae pioneers like Desmond Dekker (King of the Ska), Laurel Aitken (Godfather of Ska), and the Skatalites ('nuff said...) is an insult to those legends! Luckily, the Ska revival also brought forth bands of such respectability as The Slackers from New York and Hepcat from Southern California. Hepcat, since hearing this album (originally released on the now dead MoonSka NYC lable), has been my favorite ska band, ever! This album still stands as a testament to the vocal talents of Greg Lee and Alex Desert and the early songwriting talents of David Hillyard, who went along to join The Slackers. The group takes its cues not just from Jamaican music legends, but also American Jazz legends, paying tribute to the likes of Duke Ellington in thier music. One of the most soulful, beautiful, and dynamic albums I've ever heard, it is a must for anyone who loves Ska, and especially for Hepcat fans who were never able to find this album, as the MoonSka version (which I'm lucky enough to have a copy of) has been long out of print. Do yourself a favor--BUY THIS! The fact that you're reading this review shows you got taste...now prove it.
Rating: 5
This album is one of the greatest traditional ska albums ever. It came out once long ago, but the label they were on folded and it became unavailable. If you like any traditional ska, if you like hepcat, SHlT, if you like music in general, this is a great album. Many of today's 'traditional' bands do not retain the moody flavor of O.G. ska straight offa the island. Man, I paid 200$ for a plane ticket to see these guys, which was 10$ at the door. Also, Hepcat broke up, formed Dubcat with Long Beach Dub Allstars, then got back together again because of all the fans' heartbreak. So do em the honor of buying this, who knows it could be the last chance (again)
"The Crosstown Rivalry were amazing. The lead singer, Lawrence Theckston looked and sounded like a natural/professional! They played with amazing well known groups that night and they still fit right in!! Everybody check them out!!..."