2-Tone is celebrating its big 4-0 next year and as an early precursor to the black ‘n’ white chequered celebrations The Skapones release the socially aware, skank-inducing ‘Cradle To The Grave’. This is old school album is brimming with tip-top 2-Tone tunes to satisfy those over the age of (cough, cough) forty five-ish or the inquisitive first timer. Opener ‘The Rolling Years’ is a Hovis advert away from nostalgia overload name checking Lennon, Spangles, Panda Pops and Lemon Tops as childhood memories are woven into the Teesider’s infectious Ska sound. Skapones teeth are bared on the sadly and depressingly relevant ‘Benefit Street’ which shines an excusing light in Channel 5’s eyes and other media outlets who look to exploit the nations most vulnerable for our reality TV gratification. Any individuals looking for Britain’s poverty truth should be made to watch ‘I Daniel Blake’, on repeat, until the message finally sinks in. ‘From Cradle To Grave’ is lead singer (and The Specialized Teenage Cancer Charity founder) Paul ‘Willo’ Williams life ode to all things Blue Beat Ska & 2-Tone and if ever anybody deserves sing this song with their chin up and head held high then it’s Mr Willo. ‘The Girl Inside’, ‘My Lady’ and a blue bashing ‘T.O.R.Y’ highlight the bands deep understanding of the British subculture’s, sound, textures and triumphs. Rude Boy, Skinheads, Casuals, Punks, Mods, Rastas and the Fez wearing masses that invade Madness gigs like a stag and hen tsunami should dust down their boots ‘n’ braces and get Skaponing.
THE SKAPONES
CRADLE TO THE GRAVE
Cosa Nostra Records
8/10
(As 2-Tone heads towards its 40th anniversary and The Specials, Beat(s), Selecter, Madness, Manners et all get ready to blow out the Dance Craze candles a sickening and depressing feeling sweeps through my bones… ‘Concrete Jungle’ how the hell are we still living in it and how is it those prophetic lyrics still have such a futile reality, resonance and tangible meaning almost four decades on? My heart goes out to Neville Staple and his family as they come to terms with the passing of his grandson Fidel who was fatally stabbed outside a Nightclub in Coventry last Saturday night, R.I.P young man.)