V/A - Version City Sessions / 2003 Asian Man Records / 20 Tracks / http://www.asianmanrecords.com / Released 08 September 2003 / Reviewed 23 November 2003

Starting off the disc exactly how I expected for such a legend to organize it, King Django’s produced Version City Sessions is a truly timeless album. This is an album which would have fit in the original wave of ska music, and I do believe that fans of current incarnations of ska will be able to appreciate this disc as well. Cold Spot 8 has the opening spot on the disc, and “My Little Life” is a medium-tempo song, but jumps far beyond the mundane with the enduring set of vocals on the track and faux-Calypso backing beat. These tracks are effectively ones that could be put alongside any of the greats of ska and still hold their weight – a testament both to the amazing production and arrangement skills of King Django as well as the talent possessed by each and every member of all the bands on this disc.

The Version City Rockers’ “Deeper Roots” is an instrumental that is interesting enough on its own, using only wordless vocals as yet another tools, but one wonders if someone genuinely talented in reggae and rap couldn’t lay down a blistering vocal track – possibly even someone popular, like Shaggy or Sean Paul, could do the honors. Some of the tracks on “Version City Sessions” have the ability to be major crossover hits, such as the Tile Renters “For Real”, which has a ska feel to it, but a Blessid Union of Souls/Barenaked Ladies vocal delivery to it. That seemingly unworkable combination really meshes together better than one might think. King Django’s own (with the Version City Rockers) “Jammyland Bag” incorporates an intricate bass line with a set of vocals that almost go into throat-singing.

Moving into the bouncy a capella group-style of the fifties, Lord Sledge’s Soul Shakers moving a song that is similarly endearing to “Mr. Sandman”, without the noxiousness of the latter being played everywhere. Infusing the traditional ska style with a slightly more Eastern feel, King Django jumps in with his Roots & Culture group, along with a chorus in an unintelligible language. For those individuals who wish to see where ska has been ad where it may be going, make sure to pick this album up. The level of production on this disc is practically perfect, but it is no way overdone.

Rating : 8.0/10

Top Tracks : My Little Life, Deeper Roots