Parktone Japan レコード& CD

Review: Over the last couple of years, we've been treated to numerous reissues of classic cover versions by Japanese reggae/rocksteady combo Inokasira Rangers, including takes on Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', Pharrell's 'Happy' and New Order's 'Blue Monday'. Here we're treated to another, as the band's 2017 take on Underworld anthem 'Born Slippy' gets a fresh pressing. It's certainly a revolutionary revision, with Keichi Sokabe's surprisingly Karl Hyde-sounding lead vocal rising above a lusciously languid, sub-heavy reggae groove. Over on the flip they take on 'Groove Tube', a 1991 indie-pop-meets-acid house single from Japanese outfit Flipper's Guitar, reframing it as a baggy, glassy-eyed rocksteady number.

Review: Inokasira Rangers are known for bringing their own idiosyncratic dub and rootsy take on a whole world of classic source sounds from multiple different genres. Here they look to an iconic tune from The Sex Pistols and completely rework it into a slow and skating digital-dub framework then wire it up with spangled bass, bright metallic chords and re-sing the vocal in snarling fashion. On the flip is the excellent 'Longing For Andulusia' which is a more laid back and traditional dub sound that comes doused in island sun with some epic guitar solos.

Review: Inokashira Rangers are renowned for their ska/reggae covers of some of the world's best-known songs, with versions of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Creep' and 'I'm Not In Love', all laid to sweet 7" over the years. Here they team up with regular collaborating singer Sofia Manari, who takes centre stage in covering two J-pop classics closer to home. 'Love Squall', originally written by jazz great Yuji Ohno, hears a vocal rendition, while Mariya Takeuchi's 'Plastic Love' gets a similarly jubilant reworking on the B.

Review: Inokashira Rangers are kwon around the world as a legendary group of Hammond-heavy reggae masters with a fine knack for laying down big cover versions. Their take on 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was recently reissued to great acclaim recently and now we get two more gems. First is Radiohead's 'Creep' which has haunting leads and echoing pads capturing the freaky vibe of the original. There is a more laidback vibe on the flip with 'I'm Not In Love' which has noodling synths and lazy drum loops sinking you in deep.

Review: Inokashira Rangers are world-renowned for their abilities in covering some of the world's best-known songs in the modes of ska and reggae, with versions of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Creep' and 'I'm Not In Love', all laid to sweet 7", dominating stores in recent years. Now the Japanese covertones throw a curveball, for once reworking some honoured dance music cuts. 808 State's 'Pacific State' and Derrick May's 'Strings Of Life' get a thorough skinhead reggae re-examining.

Review: Japanese outfit Inokashira Rangers are the world's finest group of Hammond-heavy reggae cover version maestros. They turn their hands to a range of stone cold Western classics and always bring a little sense of fun to their versions. Here it is Nirvana's Smells 'Like Teen Spirit' which they tackle and it is a much loved cut that always sells out, so now gets a reissue. On the flip side is the equally brillaint but more comic 'Summer Madness' with its pillowy drums and liquid synths. A left of centre brace of tunes but essential none the less.

Review: By now, we've become accustomed to Japanese outfit Inosakira Rangers offering up reggae and vintage rocksteady style cover versions of pop and dance tracks of old. Their latest cover, of James Brown classic 'Sex Machine', is a little different. It's no less warm, dusty or on-point than its predecessors, but there's no reggae or rocksteady flex - just a warmer, more laidback take on the funk classic, complete with distinctive lead vocals from Keichi Sokabe. They're back in lazy, Sunday afternoon rocksteady mode on original B-side 'Nagoriyuki', a sweet and quietly soulful number that pushes the band's bassist and organist - or more specifically their fine instrumentation - high in the mix for added nostalgic pleasure.

Review: Over the last decade, Inokashira Rangers have proved that you can turn pretty much any track - whether it's a TV theme tune, rave banger or grunge classic - into a reggae or rocksteady gem if you know what you're doing. They're at it again on their latest "45", which opens with a storming, largely instrumental reggae-soul version of Edwin Starr's 1968 soul classic '25 Miles'. Their version - full of reverb-laden drums, fuzzy organ motifs, mazy solos, warming bass and JB's guitars - is naturally hugely different to Starr's version, but recognisably the same song. Their flipside take on Spinners' classic 'It's a Shame' is rather more difficult, with the trio slowing it down to a skanking reggae crawl while retaining the familiar melodic refrain.