Justin Yap

Justin Yap/Top Deck

V/A - Singa-Songa Ska - Westside

People tend to think about Ska in two forms: Studio One and Treasure Isle. Yet Byron Lee produced a form of Ska different to both of these styles. And so did Justin Yap. As far as I know most of the Top Deck sessions took place at Studio One. But even then with basic studio equipment, Justin got a different sound. On this volume we find people like Larry Marshall and BB Seaton, joined by singers and vocals groups such as Joe G Henry and The Deacons. There is even a track here by The School Boys aka The Wailing Souls. Amazing stuff.

V/A - Ska-lternative - Westside

More or less the same style. With a few non-Ska styles thrown in as well. This is the case with a lot of Top Deck releases. The Deacon and BB Seaton are present again, but this one has a lot of great instrumentals. Roland Alphonso, Johnny Moore, and Lynn Taitt. Even

King Sporty pops up here in combination with Roland. It’s great stuff and once again shows just how different mixing and ideas can produce wildly different results. It’s not all the same - as the man would say!!!!

V/A - Ska-Ta--Shot - Westside

The instrumentals on all the Top Deck stuff are incredible. Represented here are tunes from Lynn Taitt,

Roland Alphonso, Johnny Moore and Jackie Moore. All of them are different concepts. Ska - yes - but built differently. However just as good are the vocal tunes. Bibby & The Astronauts’s ’Sweet Dreams’ has got that Ska jump feel found on Byron Lee’s music. Reuben Anderson’s tune ‘Ambition Of Men’ sounds a lot like ‘Joe Liges’, a great tune. A Great set.

V/A - Ska-Ra -Van - Westside

Another great selection with a mystery tune that tops the lot. The unknown artist. A superb tune. Hopefully he made a few more records, in fact I know he did! Al & The Vibrators are here again. It’s a shame that they never got around to making an album for someone. And King Sporty pops up on the final track doing a Ska toast over with help from Justin Yap. Good to

hear more music from The Avalons as well.