A collaboration between multiple generations of ska yields musical gold!
The Family Business LTD joins Jordan Cardy (RAT BOY), Preston (The Ordinary Boys), and Antonee First Class (The English Beat), with Operation Ivy’s Tim Armstrong and Jesse Michaels as additional creative collaborators. Bringing together multiple generations of ska, the collective combines Cardy’s genre-blurring energy, Preston’s 2000s UK ska revivalist spirit, and the legendary two-tone lineage of toaster Antonee First Class. Representing a unique cross-section of ska’s evolution, Antonee shares that his excitement came from “the opportunity to bridge the gap between generations, bringing together people who came to ska from different places.”
The album opens with the single, ‘Floor Burner’ – straight up, lively, infectious, up tempo ska. The bass lays a funky backing, with keyboard to the fore, the guitar a staccato driver, the vocal of Antonee First Class delivered with the confidence founded in his massive experience. Coming in at under two minutes, ‘Floor Burner’ lays down an infectious welcome.
‘Shakedown’, a tale of crime and violence, of bravado and regret, has a lively up tempo beat with layers of brass adding depth. There seems to be a lighter hand at work here compared with the opening track, a light heartedness to the vocal delivery, an undisguised enjoyment. You can feel and hear the band having a good time.
‘Detonator’ opens with a sound reminiscent of ‘Tears Of A Clown’ by The (English) Beat, it’s a passing moment repeated in the chorus, a hat tip to the music that influenced the band in the first place. This is a slice of 1980’s ska, a reminder of the huge energy that the scene had, the lightness and brightness of ther music that contrasted with the political and economic bleakness of that time. There are certain parallels that still run true today, the need for a little bit of sunshine and joy in a dark world.
‘Still A Jamaican’ is another wonderful piece of storytelling, Antonee First Class getting to embrace his roots and all that made him who he is, and continues to be his anchor in another land. There’s a nice rolling feel to the music, the bass bouncing along, the keyboard adding depth, some nice licks of guitar and some very on-point backing vocals. It’s a song that connects history, both personal and musical, and wraps it up in a wonderfully warm tune.
There’s a mixture of tempos in ‘Armageddon’, a song that manages to be both upbeat and slightly sad. The keyboard leads this tune, the brass section adding depth and support, the vocal and harmonies well measured. Again the music demonstrates both the influences and abilities of the band; well crafted, well balanced.
They slow things down with ‘Bambi’, which has an almost balladic feel. Again there is keyboard to the fore, and thick brass emphasising and complimenting. It The slow tempo offers up harder edges and subtle contrasts. ‘Bambi’ offers a slight pause in the proceedings, a chance to draw breath.
‘No Vacancy’ picks up the pace a little, with some bounce and groove, there’s some nice little musical touches, small flourishes offering depth and texture. It’s these details, across all the tracks, that show the understanding of the genre the band has, and the ability to execute them. Again the groove is there from the start of the tune, there’s a swagger and confidence, these people know what they are doing.
‘Transistor’ opens light and breezily. The lyrics, complaining about the music that fills the airwaves and saturates the radio stations, seem slightly at odds with the tune, but that’s the point. The band are sticking to their musical guns, staying true to themselves and the music they value. It’s an old musical theme given a fresh take, and it’s a welcome addition to the canon.
Time to unleash the bass. On ‘Dead Boy’, it dominates and drives the tune. This is uptempo feelgood music, however, once again the music is very much in contrast to the lyrics, darkness and light. The music is a party, the lyric is the dark brooding person at the back of the room. It’s a mix that works well.
The album closes with ‘A.S.B.O’. There’s a wonderful old school feel to this one, a vocal delivery reminiscent of the late, great Terry Hall and a sound that feels like it should be an end of night / end of gig celebration. It has that feeling of being a song without end, one that can be extended and extended without overstaying its welcome. This is the perfect way to close out the album, with warmth and depth. This is a song that stays with you.
The Family Business LTD are a band with a lot to offer, an album that opens and closes with two strong songs that contrast with each other and eight songs in between that cover the full spectrum of a genre that they fully understand. It’s an album of subtle touches and broad gestures, of bright music and darker lyrics. Most importantly it’s an infectious, toe tapping, feel-good experience.
Music has the power to change people. It can radicalise, politicise, energise. Music is unique in its ability to move people. Some music changes you, some music just makes you want to be, to feel alive. This debut album from The Family Business LTD, certainly fits into the latter category. This is music that crosses generations, not just musically, but also in its ability to unite.
When Ska first emerged in the UK scene at the end of the 70s, its energy and infectious tempo was a stark contrast to the state of the divided, angry and confused country. A rallying cry to a youthful generation with little hope, few prospects and a system stacked against them. Over the last 50 years the world has changed, not always for the better, but that need for music that embraces you, that draws you in and energizes you, hasn’t. That is why the world needs The Family Business LTD.
‘The Family Business LTD’ is out now via Hellcat Records – order it HERE.
- Floor Burner
- Shakedown
- Detonator
- Still a Jamaican
- Armageddon
- Bambi
- No Vacancy
- Transistor
- Dead Boy
- A.S.B.O
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