Mr.T-Bone & The Young Lions

Rarely does an entire album grab my interest. It isn’t surprising, as we all have different tastes and favour different styles of Jamaican music. Bands have the difficult job of trying to cater to different predilections and rarely are they completely successful. The better road to take may be to do what you do best and hope that people like it, and that is the option one feels Mr T-bone and the Young Lions have taken with their album, Heroes. And they hit the spot.
If you had to make comparisons, I suppose The Pietasters or Spearhead could get a mention, but there is a European flavour and a quirkiness that gives the band their very own identity. Take a track like, The president of the republic of bananas. It is a song about the attitude of rogue heads of state, not a new topic, but done in a different way and with a great catchy up-beat number. I’ve backed calls by others that some ska bands aren’t forthright enough in their positions, but Mr T-bone can’t be accused of that. Alongside Republic of bananas, we have a series of songs, such as Money and Excuse me that send a strong message in a frank, but not oversimplified fashion, while maintaining music that provides for dancing.
The more upbeat numbers are my favourite, but the slower songs such as the minor key Somewhere or dubbed out Me and my soul provide a variety that is welcome and sophisticated in its musicianship. It’s worth mentioning here that Mr T-bone himself has written, arranged and produced the entire album, and done so very successfully. Some of the English is a little amiss, but it doesn’t affect the enjoyment I gain from listening to this great record.
Favourite Tracks: The president of the republic of bananas, Excuse me, Let ‘em go.
Overall: It was with great pleasure that I reviewed this album. You won’t find a more soulful swinging contemporary ska album this year. Buy it for someone for Christmas and then borrow it.
Album available from: http://www.rudeboycorner.com
Mr T-bone on the web: http://www.mrtbone.com - dizzy beat

Mr. T-Bone has been involved with music since the age of 14 and now at the age of 35 those years of experience really shine on his new album Heroes. He wrote, arranged, mixed and produced all the new tunes backed by The Young Lions. If you're thinking this isn't gonna be as good as his last studio album Sees America with that all-star lineup, think again!

The Young Lions are a world class group of musicians who are the perfect compliment to Mr. T-Bone's vocals and trombone. They put down some tight rhythms and sprinkle in just the right amount of ingredients that make each and every song full of flavor that explodes in your ears and makes your mouth water. From bubbling funky reggae to pulse pounding ska, rocksteady, and dub they serve up a full course of musical dishes.

It's hard to pick out the stand out tunes, it's that good. It's like The Slackers meet The Bluebeaters infused with some of the Maytals' funky reggae. This is definitely a disc to wear out playing it over and over again.

If I had to choose, my favorite songs are: This is What I Feel, Do My Best, Pressure, Let Em' Go, and Take Me. 14 new tracks + dub version at total runnnig time of 58 mins 10 secs.
- musical Occupation