18 Apr 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

AceTones - EP Review: More Ace!

22 May 2019 // A review by J_Plates
Veteran eight-piece Ska ensemble AceTones follow up from their 2015 self-titled debut with their latest 6 track EP aptly titled More Ace!, and it’s filled to the brim with skank’n grooves and crunchy horn lines.

Despite New Zealand’s long standing love affair with more contemporary 'café dub' and modern reggae sounds, it’s refreshing to hear a more traditional take on the influential sounds that would go on to inspire a multitude of bands and genres around the globe (such as the UK’s 2 Tone scene) over the following decades.

With this in mind and based on the foundations of those early Jamaican sounds prevalent throughout the 60’s, More Ace! features a fine cross section of styles and rhythms, expertly arranged and captured all while retaining a distinctly nostalgic tone threaded throughout the tracks, courtesy of The Lab’s Jol Mulholland at the controls.

Personal favourite Double Black features a heavy-duty instrumental arrangement of brass bedded on top of a solidly warm bass line, while trombone, keyboard, and guitar shine through with their own featured solos, embedding the pocket with ease provided by a tight drum and percussion backbone; the perfect backdrop to a hazy, late afternoon summer session.

Equally worth noting, Rolling Like A Trojan offers a more stripped down Rocksteady vibe featuring a uniquely delivered falsetto vocal performance; while Sonny Moon gets things moving and rounds off the release in classic Ska fashion, stacked with creamy organs, noodley brass parts, and an unforgettable set of walking double bass dropouts.

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About AceTones

AceTones offer a superlative selection of time-honoured Jamaican classics, rare grooves and originals to satisfy connoisseurs and new listeners alike.

From 60's ska and rocksteady to reggae, dub and funk, the band infuses the irresistible grooves of Jamaican music with their own distinctive style. AceTones create an atmosphere to lure even the most unsuspecting listener onto the dancefloor. Paying tribute to the greats, the band draws inspiration from founders of the styles such as Skatalites, The Upsetters, Jackie Mittoo, Sly and Robbie and more.

AceTones is an eight-piece ensemble boasting a top-rankin' horn lineup and rocksteady rhythm section, topped off with the dynamite vocal stylings of the Mighty Jabsco.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for AceTones

Releases

More Ace!
Year: 2019
Type: EP
AceTones
Year: 2015
Type: EP

Other Reviews By J_Plates

Dual - Single Review: You're On Your Own
21 Apr 2019 // by J_Plates
Inspired by the Madchester sounds of the late 80’s and early 90’s, Auckland Psychedelic Dance duo Dual deliver their latest euphoric single You’re On Your Own, infusing elements of bands like The Happy Mondays, Primal Scream and The Stone Roses with their own contemporary Pop sensibilities. Officially released late February, the track received fantastic support including ‘Track of the Day’ on White Light/White Heat (IT), a feature on Happymag.
Read More...
Eastern Bloc - Single Review: Rich Personality And Notorious Club Girls
04 Apr 2019 // by J_Plates
Artur Aldridge aka Eastern Bloc unloads his debut single release via his own imprint, FOH Records. No stranger to the Club and House scene, the Ukrainian Producer / DJ has shared the bill with artists such as Fatboy Slim and Dusky during a string of festival events including Splore, Electric Gardens, and Rhythm and Vines.
Read More...
Cashek - Album Review: Rhythm And Resonance
24 Mar 2019 // by J_Plates
Cashek is the alias of Electronic musician Floyd Pepper whose debut album Rhythm And Resonance, presents an array of emotive tracks brought into existence while backpacking throughout the USA, Mexico, and Guatemala towards the end of last year. The seven-track album provides the listener with a lush sonic journey, fusing various elements of Electronica ranging from chilled out down tempo, slices of broken beat, to more atmospheric and laid back arrangements and synth work.
Read More...
Beacon Bloom - Single/Video Review: Materia
12 Feb 2019 // by J_Plates
After the success of their debut track Jobim, which was picked up by a number of radio stations around the country; electronic explorers Beacon Bloom return with a brand-new production, presented via a live recording and accompanying video that was captured during their sell out launch show in November last year. The proclaimed track that spawned Beacon Bloom into existence, aptly titled Materia, features an array of lush synthesiser arpeggios, layered drums, atmospheric guitar work, and a reverb soaked vocal hook, combined and arranged to create an emotively upbeat, and promisingly expansive track; perfectly showcasing what one can expect from a Beacon Bloom live performance and future studio releases.
Read More...
Dead Little Penny - Single Review: Depression
25 Jan 2019 // by J_Plates
Dead Little Penny rides on the wave of previously released singles U 4 Me and Honeycomb with their brooding new single and supporting video for Depression. With members Hayley Smith and Simon Buxton both originating from England, it is evident that their musical roots have crossed over, taking influence from a range of UK Shoegaze, Dream-Pop, and Post-Punk bands of decades past.
Read More...
Same Name Confusion - EP Review: In Theory
18 Jan 2019 // by J_Plates
Wellington based & self-proclaimed Alternative Dance-Pop act Same Name Confusion present their latest collection of tracks via a compact and brilliantly delivered four track EP titled In Theory.In a world more frequently riddled with unusual chaos and complexity, SNC offer their genuinely unique perspective, incorporating a host of insightful ideas and observations buried within intelligently thought out lyrics, and emphasized by a catchy rhythm section that solidifies each track in its own modest way.
Read More...
Beacon Bloom - Single Review: Jobim
18 Dec 2018 // by J_Plates
Beacon Bloom is the brainchild of musician Ryan Ferris with supporting member James Allen, drawing on the sonic cultures and experiences collected whilst travelling the globe in search of musical inspiration. Their debut promo single Jobim provides a stable basis of electronica infused with soul, funk, and pop sensibilities going beyond the 03:30 standard, and backed by a fittingly designed cover art which reinforces the tone of the track.
Read More...
North Shore Pony Club - EP Review: Abracadabra
11 Dec 2018 // by J_Plates
It’s not too often that an artist such as North Shore Pony Club can seemingly rear its head up from the lurky shadows of the washy underground and swish shot a release that is so on target, it instantly leaves a trail of awe in its wake. Their latest EP Abracadabra achieves such a solid state, delivered via a smooth and consistent package of tracks while retaining the usual comically hyperbolic stylings that NSPC have become synonymous with over the past few years.
Read More...
View All Articles By J_Plates

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • LIKE THAT
    Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
    Artemas
  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • LEAVEMEALONE
    Fred Again.. And Baby Keem
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem