NEVILLE STAPLE returned this month with Return of Judge Roughneck — a new album available now through Cleopatra Records.
Known as The Original Rudeboy Neville Staple is a British singer of Jamaican origin credited with changing the face of pop music not only once, but twice.
His 35-year career in the music business is well documented, from the earliest days with The Coventry Automatics, The Specials and Fun Boy Three to collaboration with Ranking Roger in The Special Beat and other collaborations during his solo career from the 1990s until today.
In 2004, Neville formed The Neville Staple Band, releasing the acclaimed album ‘The Rude Boy Returns’ with contributions from Clash guitarist Mick Jones and Damned drummer Rat Scabies, and with Flipron’s Joe Atkinson on organ. The group also featured former members of the British ska band Bad Manners.
His previous album ‘Ska Crazy!’ [May 2014] featured guest vocals from his wife Christine ‘Sugary’ Staple and long time friend, DJ and artist Daddy Woody.
The new album involves members of the Neville Staple Band and guest musicians, including violinist Jessy Greene (The Jayhawks, Geraldine Fibbers), producer Ed Rome and Neville’s wife Christine ‘Sugary’ Staple, who co-produced the album with Neville and Tom Lowry (Planet Studios) with Mike Bennett providing additional mastering.
About his musical legacy, Neville Staple said: “The way we brought it was mixing Jamaican music with the English style, which was actually punk at the time. Now most people are into ska, they listen to all the people that we talked about that they might not have listened to before...”
“ I am hearing lots more young bands now also putting their own spin on ska – some with dance music and some with a rock beat. It’s all good. The music just makes you want to dance. Even when singing about tough times, every-day things or bad things, the beat and the rhythm makes you want to move...”
‘Return of Judge Roughneck’ will be available on both CD and in a special limited edition 2LP vinyl package
We listened to the title track “Return Of Judge Roughneck” —
With juicy horns and squeezy-squeezy organs this includes just about every Ska Trope you could possibly imagine.
It’s typically tropical with a bluster of home-made rhythms and clankering keys.
Political? Yes of course… But you will still skavoovie to the wondrous beats.
Words @neilmach 2017 ©
Link: https://www.facebook.com/NevilleStapleBand/
TOUR DATES
Feb 24 Plymouth The Hub
Feb 25 Coventry Rialto Reborn
Mar 03 Kilmarnock Bellfield Tavern
Mar 04 Middlesbrough The Longlands Club
Mar 24 Carlisle Old Firestation
Mar 25 Inverness The Ironworks
Apr 01 Looe Trelawne Manor Holiday Park
Apr 08 Swansea The Garage
Apr 22 Northampton Roadmender w/ Don Letts
Apr 28 East Kilbride The Union
Apr 29 Skegness Skegness Scooter Rally
Jun 03 Hastings Seaside Treats Festival
Jul 08 Weston Super Mare Hazy Days Festival
Jul 15 Bridport Jurassic Fields Festival
Aug 05 Blackpool Rebellion Festival
