Although they cut many a fine session with superstar producers
Clement Dodd and
Duke Reid,
the Skatalites' work for relatively unknown knob-twiddler
Justin Yap has been especially revered. Why? Well, because the songs have often been very hard to track down and
Yap -- unlike either
Reid or
Dodd -- gave the legendary
ska outfit the time and money to really dig into a set of songs. Those reasons and the fact he allowed ganja smoking in house all made for the ideal recording atmosphere. This West Side roundup of
Yap titles proves the point. Resplendent with supple arrangements, fine sound, and a bevy of top-notch solos, Ska Boo-Da-Ba delivers with classic original
ska ("Confucius," "Ringo Rides") and singular takes on
Duke Ellington's "Caravan" ("Ska-Ra-Van") and "In a Mellow Tone" ("Surftide Seven"). Topped off with a handful of incredible trombone statements by the late
Don Drummond, this 14-track import makes for some rarefied listening. ~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide
