Each musical genre has a mood, a feeling that is associated with the style of the performance. For rock, it could be a feeling of rebellion or angst, for folk, an organic connection to nature, but for funk and soul, it’s all about the groove, the instant happiness and inhibition to dance to syncopated rhythms and smooth, swinging brass.
Hence why it feels so damn good to listen to the debut self-titled album from Australia’s finest producers of funk and soul, the Melbourne Ska Orchestra. Considering the band is quite familiarised with Australian audiences through countless festival appearances and the frustratingly enjoyable FreeView television ad, it seems crazy to think that it’s taken this long for the collectives first commercial LP recording to be released.
Led by the current drummer for the John Butler Trio, Nicky Bomba, the group consisting of an 18-piece horn section, a rhythm section, percussionist, organist and 3 vocalists, packs a substantial amount of creative energy, which can be felt throughout the entire hour long album.
Opening the album is a joyful cover of the Get Smart theme song, which basically seems to perfectly sum up the resonating motif of the album – it’s fun, it’s fast and by god it’s funky. Another positive of Melbourne Ska Orchestra is its broad spectrum of musical influences, from the reggae instrumentation of ‘Time To Wake Up’ to the mariachi rhythms of ‘Dean Went To Mexico,’ there seems to be no continent untouched in this record.
Without a doubt though, the highlight of the LP is the MSO’s cover of ‘Best Things,’ which most of you will be haunted by after the intense plugging on the FreeView commercial. Every element of this track is incredible infectious, the alternating brass improvisations, the smooth and warm vocals and that key change. It’s all there. To lay it out simply, Melbourne Ska Orchestra puts the fun into funk and it’s nearly impossible to get through this record without so much as a smile.
Melbourne Ska Orchestra is a great album, the variety is there and interest is certainly maintained, however there isn’t enough substance to fully satisfy the masses on a deeper level, unfortunately rendering it as a perfect ambience provider as opposed to a great album in its own right. For some quality light entertainment and a great pick-me-up, this record is certainly highly recommended.
Four Four Records / ABC
7/10
Reviewer: Josh Clements