One Night Band - Way Back Home

Keeping up with the modern world of ska and reggae is nearly impossible unless it's the central style of your music collection, and while One Night Band isn't a leftover from the third wave ska revival of the '90s, their scene isn't one readily stumbled upon. Way Back Home is a Stomp Records release, a Canadian-based label (and part of the Union Label Group) that has more than a few names you may recognize--The Planet Smashers, The Know How, Bedouin Soundclash, The Toasters. It's these die-hards that are keeping the scene alive, and One Night Band delivers a solid album that does little to progress its scene, but definitely doesn't keep it idling. As I said, the band owes nothing to the revivalism of a decade ago, instead preferring to go straight to the heart and soul of its chosen genre--Marley, Ken Boothe, Prince Buster, etcetera--the poppier side of the Jamaica/England fusion. It's a fun affair, and one of those records where if you like one song, you'll be into the whole thing. The requisite multi-piece brass section, the smooth bass grooves, and vocal interplay of the entire band (save for drummer Eric Morin) isn't the most original thing to skank across the border, but it's another reminder that while trends die, the true believers will be there 'til the end. Download "So Low" [www.stomprecords.com]