The band promoted the album by touring as part of the NYC Ska Mob Tour '97.[5] The opening track is a tribute to
Tommy McCook.[6]
Critical reception
The Washington Post thought that the Slackers "are clearly as interested in ska's jazz roots as its R&B ones."[7]The Gazette concluded that "the ska tempo is slackened, proclaiming Jamaican independence while lowering tariff walls for reggae, dub, R&B, soul, jazz and boogaloo."[2] The Dallas Observer wrote that the album takes the listener on a musical tour "of the studios of Jamaica, the tiny clubs of London, the streets of New York, and the barrios of Los Angeles."[8]
The Deseret News listed the album as one of the best of 1997, writing: "Outside of the Skatalites, the only band that can do traditional ska."[9] The Orange County Register also considered it to be one of 1997's best albums, writing that "Married Girl", a "Double Indemnity-style tale of lustful revenge, is a killer."[10]
Track listing
All songs written by
Vic Ruggiero, except where noted.
^Ross, Curtis (December 12, 1997). "Skankin' across the South - The Big Apple sends a volley of bands into the ska-crazy Sunshine State". The Tampa Tribune. FRIDAY EXTRA!. p. 18.
^Minge, Jim (March 1, 1998). "Three-Band Bill to Keep Ska Beat Going Strong". Omaha World-Herald. Entertainment. p. 3.
^Jenkins, Mark (8 Feb 1998). "Blossoming Ska-High Beats". The Washington Post. p. G2.
^Crain, Zac (February 5, 1998). "No Doubt about it - Hellcat Records keeps it real". Dallas Observer. Music.
^Vice, Jeff (December 19, 1997). "Guitar-pop, punk and ska". Deseret News. p. W3.
^Wener, Ben (January 9, 1998). "POP LIFE - '97's top 10: All I know is what I like". Orange County Register. p. F47.