Ball of Fire
Studio album by
Skatalites
Released1997 (UK)
1998 (US)
GenreSka jazz
LabelIsland Jamaica Jazz[1]
Skatalites chronology
Greetings from Skamania
(1996)		 Ball of Fire
(1997)		 Ska Titans: Laurel Aitken & the Skatalites
(1999)

Ball of Fire is an album by the Jamaican band the Skatalites, released in 1998 in the United States.[2][3] The band supported the album with a North American tour, including shows with several Hellcat bands.[4][5]

Production

The eight-piece Skatalites recorded Ball of Fire with four original members.[6] The band reinterpreted some of their older instrumentals—which had been hits in the United Kingdom—stretching them out and giving them a jazzier sound, with longer guitar and horn solos.[7][8][9] Ernest Ranglin played guitar on some of the tracks.[10] The title track was written in the early 1960s.[11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[12]
The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionB+[13]
The Austin Chronicle[14]
The Indianapolis Star[15]
Los Angeles Daily News[16]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[17]
Rolling Stone[18]
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide[19]

The Austin Chronicle wrote that Ball of Fire "is nothing less than a live, in-the-studio recording with a sparkling sound ... Here is one of the greatest 'groove' bands of all time at the top of their form."[14] The Independent stated: "Ultimately, you're left with the feeling that it's being done for their benefit, rather than yours. That's jazz, I guess."[20] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution determined that Ranglin "contributes lightning quick bebop lines, taking the music beyond its structural limitations."[13]

Rolling Stone deemed the album "a casual, disarmingly sweet trip through the band's storied songbook."[18] The Los Angeles Daily News opined that "the current lineup recaptures the original energy and jazz roots."[16] The Indianapolis Star determined that "enough cannot be said about the strong, smooth solos on trumpet (Nathan Breedlove) and alto sax (Lester Sterling)."[15]

AllMusic wrote that the album "finds a reunited Skatalites reworking their greatest hits, playing long, extended passages that allow the band to demonstrate their substantial instrumental abilities."[12]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."James Bond Theme" 
2."Latin Goes Ska" 
3."Confucious" 
4."Occupation" 
5."Rock Fort Rock" 
6."Eastern Standard Time" 
7."Ball of Fire" 
8."Swing Easy" 
9."Ringo" 
10."Freedom Sound" 

References

  1. ↑ "New World '98". CMJ New Music Report. 57 (601): 22. Jan 11, 1999.
  2. ↑ "The Skatalites Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ Walker, Klive (June 21, 2005). "Dubwise: Reasoning from the Reggae Underground". Insomniac Press – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Sherr, Sara (6 Feb 1998). "ALTERNATIVE CHOICE". Philadelphia Daily News. p. F15.
  5. ↑ Piccoli, Sean (15 Feb 1998). "HELLCAT REVUE". Sun-Sentinel. p. 2D.
  6. ↑ Jenkins, Mark (4 Feb 1998). "Reaching for the Ska". The Washington Post. p. D7.
  7. ↑ Augusto, Troy J. (March 4, 1998). "The Skatalites". Variety.
  8. ↑ Bell, Carrie (Oct 18, 1997). "Current craze opens doors for classic acts, reissues". Billboard. 109 (42): 1, 92.
  9. ↑ Boehm, Mike (25 Feb 1998). "The Ska Fathers". Los Angeles Times. p. F2.
  10. ↑ Wolk, Douglas (Feb 1998). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly (54): 40.
  11. ↑ Masouri, John (November 11, 2009). "Wailing Blues: The Story of Bob Marley's Wailers". Omnibus Press – via Google Books.
  12. 1 2 "The Skatalites Ball of Fire Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  13. 1 2 "SKA". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 19 Feb 1998. p. K6.
  14. 1 2 "Record Reviews". www.austinchronicle.com.
  15. 1 2 Bacon, Scott (8 Feb 1998). "Skatalites trip to the past yields lively delights". The Indianapolis Star. p. I7.
  16. 1 2 Shuster, Fred (6 Feb 1998). "SOUND CHECK". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L23.
  17. ↑ MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 719.
  18. 1 2 Moon, Tom (Feb 5, 1998). "Ball of Fire". Rolling Stone (779): 60, 62.
  19. ↑ (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. p. 741.
  20. ↑ Gill, Andy (29 Aug 1997). "THE SKATALITES Ball of Fire". Features. The Independent. p. 12.
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