Hepcat

In the 1990s ska was spreading like wildfire (Sublime, Dance Hall Crashers, No Doubt, Less Than Jake, Mighty Mighty Bosstones), and the multiracial Hepcat from Los Angeles were among its most accomplished interpreters. Singer Greg Lee, guitarist Lino Trujillo, and keyboardist Deston Berry carved out a sound that was far more laid-back and Caribbean-inflected. On their debut album, Out Of Nowhere (Moon, 1993 – Hellcat, 2004), highlights included the satirical Clarence Thomas, Dance With Me, Earthquake and Fire, and Prison Of Love. On the second album, Scientific (BYO, 1996), the single Bobby And Joe stood out, along with the instrumentals Dollar Dance and Yoko Zuna.

Right On Time (Hellcat, 1997) also excels in nostalgic numbers, in the rhythm-and-blues and jazz accents of I Can’t Wait, and in the breezy No Worries. Also worth noting are two new, festive instrumentals in the old-time style: Pharoah’s Dream, even edging toward ragtime, and Tommy’s Song, with a touch of bluegrass.

Push'N'Shove (Hellcat, 2000) is Hepcat's most mature album. The only drawback of tracks like Comin' On Strong and Push'N'Shove is that they are even too faithful to the original sound.