Band: Oiska
Album: Time to Get Naked EP
Reviewer: Glen Smyth

Since issue 2 was released quite a few months a go now I've really got into the traditional sound and have learned to appreciate bands who play it and play it well. Oiska definitely does this and show you that ska really is dance music. They start out with "Front Bottom" which has a steady beat with an awesome harmony characterised by the saxophone. The second song "Unjumpable Shrubbery" begins with the trombone - slow and infectious, but the pace quickens with the introduction of the saxophone, while the guitar and drums continue to make you move your feet, slowing and quickening the pace of the beat throughout. "Jerk Pork Skank" is dominated more by the rhythm section, with smaller bursts of sound by the horns. We then move on to the live songs with "Arabian Taxi Driver", which is not my favourite song, but does offer some power in the horns. "Eugene" is a bit quicker in pace and a perfect choice for the live recording because of its high energy. The next song "Police Woman" is unmistakably Skatalites, written by the late, great Roland Alphonso. You have to be careful not to do the song an injustice, but Oiska don't have to worry about that - they do it excellently. The EP is finished with "Oiska", which is the only song with vocals. The amount of songs they do with vocals is increasing apparently and I think a combination of instrumentals and lyrical songs is a move in the right direction, but take nothing away from this EP, I loved all seven tracks especially "Front Bottom" and "Police Woman".