Search - Hepcat :: Out of Nowhere

The best badly-produced album ever!

The Greatest | Nowhere Land | 09/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wih I knew why this album is so hard to find, as the music is excellent. After a long time of searching, I bought it from an Amazon marketplace seller for about 8 bucks, the best deal I've found in a long time. First, the problems. As my title states, the production and mixing on this album is horrible compared to their last 2 albums, or even Scientific. The overall sound is very quiet, and no matter how high you turn the bass up on your stereo, Dave Fuentes's wonderful basslines are still lost in the mix. Also, as with most Moon Ska releases, you get a catalog instead in the liner notes. Cause, let's face it, who wants lyrics or notes from the band when you can have a catalog from a defunct record label? Also, Hepcat's sound isn't as dynamic without trumpeter Kincaid Smith, who excels on each of their other albums. The two-sax horn section just doesn't work as well. To the songs:Dance Wid Me- good way to start the album. nice uptempo song with a doo-wop sound. Greg, Deston, and Alex all lead (in that order). 10The Secret- just as strong as Dance wid Me. beats the hell out of the version on Right on Time. more uptempo. Greg leads. 10Hooligans- good Wailers cover. Greg leads. 9Skavez- Dave Hillyard shines on this smooth classic latin jazz track. only one verse of lyrics, though. 10Miss Congeniality- My favorite on the album. slow rocksteady beat with cool guitar. Deston leads. GREAT lyrics. 10Clarence Thomas- first of three instrumentals. pretty good. 9Prison of Love- faster and more fun than the later version. "i said a little dab'll do ya..." and "you and i sittin under a tree..." lines make the song. Greg leads. 10Earthquake and Fire- never liked this song much. Greg and Alex lead. 8All For You- beautiful lyrics, nice doo-wop/swing sound. Greg leads. Second favorite on the album. 10Caravan- instrumental #2, the best. anything written by Duke Ellington deserves more than a 10.Police Woman- nice mellow ballad. not one of the album's best, but very good. Alex shines in the lead here. 9Same O' Same O'- another great Hillyard song. kinda swing tempo. Greg leads. 10Train to Skaville- the final instrumental. nothing special, by Hepcat's standards. pretty good ending to the album. 9Highly recommended to any fan of classic Jamaican music or latin jazz fan. Some fans of big band swing should also look into it."

This could be the greatest traditional ska album of all time

06/23/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When first seeing Hepcat in college, I knew these fellows were destined for greatness. Perhaps "Out of Nowhere" is the closest thing to traditional ska in the past 10 years. Driven by the influence of blue, jazz, and most importantly ska legends like Prince Buster and the Skatalites, Hepcat is THE ska band to listen to. With relaxing ballads like Skaravan and Come Dance Wid' Me, Hepcat captures the best sounds of real Jamacian music. This album should be everyone's collection...whether you are a fan of jazz, ska, or just a fan of great music. Hepcat is diamond in the rough."