New York Fever (New LP)

Reissue of 1992 third wave Moon Ska Records classic on blue vinyl, with original Bob Fingerman sleeve art reconstructed. Songwriter and lead singer Rob Hingley perfected a smooth, American-inflected vocal style across these eleven tunes, creating a blueprint for the top-ranking outfit’s authentic-yet-unique revival sound. And while ‘New York Fever’ is founded on the best of the Jamaican and U.K. ska scenes, it also burns with the special flame of the hyperactive New York City outpost of ska’s international cosmos. The band’s playing is stunning on this third long-player, with brilliant bursts of horns punctuating an airtight rhythm section – every track provides the speedy rush that modern ska fans craze. This album is full of class, charm, and honest energy – elements that made the early third wave ska scene great – why else would Joe Jackson get involved and mix the record? ‘New York Fever’ is in many ways the transitional record that positioned the band for major chart success in the 90’s, and these songs d continue to be a part of the band’s live set thirty years later. Side A: 1. New York Fever 2. Ploughshares Into Guns 3. History Book 4. Too Hip To Be Cool 5. Night Train 6. Social Security Side B: 1. Shebeen 2. Johnny Forsake Her 3. Too Much Happening 4. Pool Shark (Reprise) 5. B27