Search - Symarip :: Skinhead Moonstomp

Shallow skinhead reggae

reddleman43 | San Antonio, Tx United States | 04/08/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"While this album is no doubt an important piece of reggae and skinhead history, it is by no means the paramount of skinhead reggae. The so-called "skinhead anthem," "Skinhead Moonstomp," is essentially just a [copy] of Derrick Morgan's earlier skinhead reggae tune, "Moon Hop." The melody and chorus are identical, yet Symarip is credited with creating the tune that skinheads have stomped to for the past 40 years. The band can certainly shine in moments, most notably the unforgettable "Skinhead Girl" and "Tommorow at Sunrise," not to mention "These Boots are Made for Stomping," possibly the best cover of a Nancy Sinatra song ever. But unfortunately, the tone-deaf vocals in songs like "Try Me Best" and "Chicken Merry" have me skipping through too much of the album to pay $[money] for. So in short, if you want a good novelty piece, or if you like records with very little musical integrity but plenty of songs blatantly marketing to 1960's skinheads, buy this album. But if you are interested in checking out serious skinhead reggae, buy Monkey Business, a great compilation available on Amazon. Or even better, find one of Derrick Morgan's reggae albums with "Moon Hop" on it and play something to really stomp your boots to."

Essential Skinhead Reggae

Adam Adam Adam | Placentia, CA United States | 03/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the skinhead reggae out there, this is the best album length expression of the genre. This is also the world's best arguement against all those who beleive skinheadism to be about rascicm. This album was made by an all black band, and almost every song praises the skinhead subculture. This album, is not only a great piece of skinhead reggae, but a great history piece showing just how improtant the skinhead culture was for the begining of reggae's fame. This album also has an added bonus from the generous folks at trojan, 8 extra tracks compromising everything symarip recorded for the label."

The Ultimate in skinhead reggae!

Mark Plaid | Toledo, Ohio United States | 08/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The all black Jamaican-British band Symarip had no bones about giving props to the biggest record reggae buyers outside of Jamaica in the late 1960s and early 1970s, skinheads. The original skinheads had nothing to do with neo-Nazism back then (and most don't presently), which is obvious here, with lyrics praising skinheads. Symarip is not to be mistaken for ska (although fans of ska will like them), they are reggae. The horns sounds were made with keyboards (and are not prominently featured, as in ska) and the bass is a heavy groove. Whereas ska was more urgent. However, this is pre-1975 reggae, so it is not roots reggae. The songs on this album may be all that Symarip ever recorded. They are certainly all that are available. Symarip's raw sound, and street-wise attitude are a good way to see what Jamaican-British music was like back in the era known as "skinhead reggae." A must in any mod's or skinhead's library."