Melbourne Ska Orchestra

Originally formed back in 2003, as a quasi-attempt to set a new world record for the most horn musicians playing ska riffs onstage at the same time (was there actually an old record to beat?), the Melbourne Ska Orchestra came into being with a deliberately cheeky attitude and the sole aim of having a ska-filled good time. Fronted by Nicky Bomba – bandleader, singer and percussionist – these days the MSO’s line-up has settled into a reliable 30-plus member ensemble, featuring some of Australia’s best reggae and ska musicians. With the giant horn section augmented by steel pan, melodica, Hammond organ and several vocalists, as a live act the Orchestra has been a big hit on the Aussie and New Zealand festival circuit of late.

Surprisingly this is the band’s debut album, and while the eclectic repertoire includes a few well-known staples like the opening ‘Get Smart’ theme and that evergreen classic ‘The Best Things in Life are Free’, the bulk of the material are ska-style originals from Bomba and friends. The lyrics to ‘Lygon St Meltdown’ reference Melbourne’s infamous gangland wars, while ‘He’s a Tripper’ pays respects to both Lee Scratch Perry and James Brown as ska-soul godfathers. Other notable tracks include the loping instrumental ‘Katoomba’, a high-stepping ‘Papa’s Got a Brand New Ska’, and the mariachi -and-tequila-soaked ‘Dean Went to Mexico’. With vocals divided between Bomba, soulman Pat Powell and Rebecca Ari, the mood is mostly full-tilt. Think The Specials and Madness meet Prince Buster in an Antipodean style.