St. Petersburg Ska-Jazz Review - "St. Petersburg Ska-Jazz Review"

For lack of a better phrase, “Great horn sections make me wet.” Divulging a little more, I’ve always been one for great Trombone, Trumpet, French Horn, Tuba etc. combos. Even the simplest of melodies composed can be made “Golden” by a great horn section. Besides, I find brass just makes people happy. And in my musical experience Ska makes the happiest of brass (Big Band Brass a close 2nd); the very reason I bring up St. Petersburg Ska-Jazz Review’s “Self-titled” Album.

This side project to the Russian Ska-Punk band Spitfire (with members from the Afro-Reggae group Markscheider Kunst) began little under two decades ago. The St. Petersburg Ska Jazz-Review (SPSJR) began, as many bands do, as a secondary or third project for many of its musicians touring only locally on the Russian Night Club Scene. As popularity grew, so did the interest of the musicians partaking. SPSJR’s self titled album, released on Russian Indie Label Zvezda Records, is the epitome of instrumental ska (and damn good instrumental ska at that). What this band lacks in vocal montage, they make up in musicianship. “St. Petersburg Ska-Jazz Review,” their first album, holds most staples you would find on a typical Skankin’ album: Walking Bass Lines, Upbeat Melodies, Melodic Upstroke, Caribbean Mento, the use of small percussion instruments (Triangle, Washboard, Shakers, Wood & Mallet, Cow Bell, Cabasa).

Incorporating heavy jazz improvisations (without drowning out the harmony) and brass orchestral pieces are what sets this band apart, shown on such tracks as “Trip Back to Childhood” and “Pollution.” SPSJR’s improvisational prowess takes a true ska classic to the Two-Tone hall fame in a cover of the Skatalites, “King Solomon.” The album also features a quirky cover of the Sex Pistols “Anarchy in the UK.” If you’re one that needs the goofy bang-a-rang lyricism that only ska can provide, don’t trip. Such banter (banter being a good thing) is covered on the heavy reggae influenced track “John Johnes” and a track originally titled after the band itself. Overlapping horns and the use of polyrhythm in songs such as “Four” and “Corcovado” exemplify SPSJR’s mastery of the genre.

“St. Petersburg Ska-Jazz Review” is a genre mutt mash-up of Jazz’ influence on Skanky-Calypso driven rhythms. I hate to build expectations so high especially when dealing with elements of Jazz so please don’t anticipate the ska version of “Kind of Blue” or “Blue Train.” All I’m saying is, if Ska puts a dimple in your cheek, peep this shit.

-Max Smith