The Skatalites From Paris With Love (Celluloid/Mélodie) Rating: NNNNN Rating: NNNNN
Since Lloyd Brevett, Lester Sterling and Lloyd Knibb resurrected the Skatalites 20 years ago with tenor sax great Cedric “Im” Brooks, they’ve put out a number of studio and live recordings, but none have recaptured the lively, freewheeling spirit of their classic Studio One sessions from the 60s – until now. Somehow, while on tour between Helsinki and Rome, they dropped into Davout Studios in Paris and rediscovered their missing mojo. On the fabulous 15-track From Paris With Love, the re-energized Skatalites kick out the jams with a soulful swagger, improvising new parts to old standards and creating a new set of anthems like the true jedi masters of Rock Fort Rock they are. Righteous.