Simmertones

- Ten Feet Tall - Windrush Records

Devon-based authentic ska ‘n’ reggae outfit, The Simmertones, have been plying their trade for well over a decade, during which time they've notched up a series of acclaimed albums and EPs, as well as played some seriously impressive events and festivals. Adding music royalty to their ever-expanding fan base, plus high-profile names such as Steve Cradock (Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller, Steve Cradock Band, and currently The Specials), as guest guitarist on their second EP Everything’s Coming Up Ska, and guest voiceover from actor Phil Daniels (Jimmy in Quadrophenia, etc) on the accompanying video, The Simmertones CV is as long as your arm and contains all manner of industry names and personalities. Their previous full-length album Something For The Weekend? was a worldwide hit with ska and reggae aficionados, and earned them accolades from, amongst others, members of The Specials and Madness. The latter invited The Simmertones to open for them on several occasions, most recently November 2018. Something For The Weekend? was awarded the prestigious South West Album of the Year award in 2013. New album Ten Feet Tall consists of a baker's dozen of tracks and follows on from their 2016 single Run For Your Life. First taster from Ten Feet Tall was the single Winters Tale, which was released January 2019 and suitably whetted the appetite for the full album, as a typical uplifting, reggae-flavoured, Simmertones number. Ten Feet Tall kicks off with El Gringo, which has an intro reminiscent of The Upsetters’ dub classic Clint Eastwood before morphing full pelt into a Skatalites-inspired ska groove, topped off with Glynn Wilcox's vocals riding on top. The spirit of the late, great Laurel Aitken is evident on this killer tune titled Travelling Man. Third up comes Silly Girl, a Simmertones sing-along, bouncy ska-infused number with added pop appeal. What I Need, in comparison to its chronological predecessor, has a darker musical aura about it, followed by the early ska-inclined and revived feel of Missing You. Boss sounds of skinhead reggae, complete with a downbeat easy groove, are on offer on the instrumental scorcher Bring It Down, then Fatback/Tear It Up with the brass section laying down an early ska style workout, the latter third of which, the Tear It Up part presumably, features Glynn on toasting duties. Can you imagine a time-honoured traditional lullaby treated to a ska-flavoured re-working. Not only that, can you imagine it working? If you can, you've probably imagined the eighth track on this album, Lullaby. Not only do The Simmertones pull of a ska re-working, they do it with some style, too. First off, in my opinion, two contenders as a potential single come in the shape of Stand Firm, an outstanding track from a high-quality album. Down By The Shore, a downtempo, almost easy listening reggae style tune precedes the album title track which is aimed directly at the dance floor, while a nodd in deference to the early ska style and sound of The Skatalites. Another single contender is the penultimate song on the album, simply an absolute scorcher of a tune titled The Place I Know. Closing number is, of course, the first taster from this top-quality release, Winter's Call, which was out as a single in January. It's been some six years since The Simmertones’ previous album release. Was the wait worthwhile? It certainly was! Authenticsounding early ska, boss sounds and reggae all on one album. If the sounds of 60s and early 70s Jamaican-type music appeal, treat yourself to Ten Feet Tall.