In Southern California, ersatz ska bands are easier to find than street-corner oranges. Which is why this nineteen-track effort from the Aggrolites -- an amalgamation of musicians who originally came together to back legendary Jamaican singer Derrick Morgan -- is such a glorious, surprising treat. Roger Rivas' sweet organ licks and the throaty exhortations of vocalist Jesse Wagner shine brightest on "Countryman Fiddle," a story-song where a discerning kid converts his father's taste from country music to the sort of uprocking reggae played by the Aggros themselves. Ideal for your next soul shakedown party.
PETER RELIC
