SKA'LETT - Ska'Lett

Back in the formative years of rock music it was not unheard of for many acts to start life performing only cover versions. Both the Beatles and Rolling Stones' initial repertoire contained song by artists such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard and other, predominantly, black artists. Nowadays, manufactured pop drivel also relies heavily on covers versions. However, unlike their forerunners, it has not been in an attempt to establish the artist credentials, but merely an attempt to squeeze every commercial ounce out of them before they are dumped back on the scrap heap.

Yes, I appreciate that many bands, and especially those beloved of the NME, pride themselves on the complexity of their songs and lyrics. However, every now and then its rather refreshing to receive a CD that has no pretensions of laying bare the performers angst and hardships, whilst liberally quoting from Proust and Camus. Sometimes recordings are made just to showcase the singers vocal abilities and the task is made considerably easier if they are performing well know numbers, although in this case in a style that does not necessarily ape the original versions.

SKA'LETT SINGIST is a solo female vocalist, who sometimes adds her considerable vocal talents to live performances by South Wales ska-punks The Evil Turkeys. Her moniker would seem to indicate that she merely takes well known songs and then performs them in a rocksteady/ska style. However, although this could be said of the first two tracks of "Come On Eileen" and "Cupid", it is most certainly not the case for more rock numbers such as Hazel O'Connor's "Eighth Day" and Blondie's "Hanging on the Telephone". These show that Ska,Lett is not just a modern day Pauline Black, but someone who can rock out with the best of them.

So, over the course of the next 30 minutes, Ska'Lett provides music to kick back, have a drink to and get your feet tapping. Whether it be the girl orientated rock of "I'm Just a Girl", skatastic "Monkey Man" and "On My Radio" or "Tainted Love" (more reminiscent of the original performer Gloria Jones, than the commercially successful Soft Cell version) this has all the hallmarks of a feel good CD , that picks you up after another god awful day at work. Personal favourites are The Who's "Baba O'Reilly" and a nod to the greatest band that ever strode the planet, The Clash's "White Man in Hammersmith Palace".

I have no idea if Ska'Lett intends to remain a covers artist or start writing her own material. All I can say is, that for the price of a pint at £3 (plus £1 p&p), you get a CD full of tracks you'll already know and love, that will not only hopefully kick start Ska'Lett's career, but also give a leg up to a self-financing label at All Systems Go Records, who are trying to put out decent music in a time of commercial blandness. They both deserve your support, so if you're interested drop them a line at all_systems_go@hotmail.co.uk and I'm sure they'll sort you out.

Bones

https://soundcloud.com/userskalett