THE KING NOT JUST A PRINCE, 25 Jun 2007
EVERY TRACK A GREAT SONG WELL WORTH THE PRICE, REAL SKA BY THE KING

Trojan version has more tracks..., 07 Dec 2005
Great album but make sure you order the Trojan version with 6 extra tracks rather than this one.

Raw, original ska - where it all started, 27 Mar 2001
Growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, British ska from The Specials, The Selector, early Madness and all the other 2 Tone acts was music different to any other I had heard before. The rhythms of the Carribean combined with the hard edged lyrics of those grey years were adopted by me and my peers to the exclusion of any other music, along with the regulation drainpipe trousers, loafers, white socks etc. Throughout the records references were made to "The Prince", "Buster", "Orange Street" and the origin of ska. Finding out about this earlier music was something to do some time, and it took me twenty years! As soon as this cd started with its first track "Earthquake In Orange Street", the links to my own time were there, and they continued throughout, especially "Al Capone", which I recognised from the virtual cover "Gangsters" by "The Special AKA". The whole album was a revelation and an education. The same beat and rude boy attitude I knew from 2 Tone is here, but it has a rawer and more authentic edge. The lyrics cover everything from the forced adoption of British names onto the African slaves in "Free Love", to lighter moments such as the hilarious and very Carribean issuing of "The Ten Commandments" by Prince Buster to his woman as to how she should behave and avoid spending his money, while turning a blind eye to his own indiscretions. Most of the album is simply great fun and it has been playing non-stop in my car since I bought it. Even in a miserable, grey, stressed-out, British March it has lifted me, relaxed me and allowed me to drift to Jamaica and dance in the heat. If, like me, the British ska of 20 years ago is something you look back on as a mini golden-era, but you never previously explored further back in time, you must get this album. You can't fail to love it.

THE KING NOT JUST A PRINCE, 25 Jun 2007
EVERY TRACK A GREAT SONG WELL WORTH THE PRICE, REAL SKA BY THE KING

Trojan version has more tracks..., 07 Dec 2005
Great album but make sure you order the Trojan version with 6 extra tracks rather than this one.

Raw, original ska - where it all started, 27 Mar 2001
Growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, British ska from The Specials, The Selector, early Madness and all the other 2 Tone acts was music different to any other I had heard before. The rhythms of the Carribean combined with the hard edged lyrics of those grey years were adopted by me and my peers to the exclusion of any other music, along with the regulation drainpipe trousers, loafers, white socks etc. Throughout the records references were made to "The Prince", "Buster", "Orange Street" and the origin of ska. Finding out about this earlier music was something to do some time, and it took me twenty years! As soon as this cd started with its first track "Earthquake In Orange Street", the links to my own time were there, and they continued throughout, especially "Al Capone", which I recognised from the virtual cover "Gangsters" by "The Special AKA". The whole album was a revelation and an education. The same beat and rude boy attitude I knew from 2 Tone is here, but it has a rawer and more authentic edge. The lyrics cover everything from the forced adoption of British names onto the African slaves in "Free Love", to lighter moments such as the hilarious and very Carribean issuing of "The Ten Commandments" by Prince Buster to his woman as to how she should behave and avoid spending his money, while turning a blind eye to his own indiscretions. Most of the album is simply great fun and it has been playing non-stop in my car since I bought it. Even in a miserable, grey, stressed-out, British March it has lifted me, relaxed me and allowed me to drift to Jamaica and dance in the heat. If, like me, the British ska of 20 years ago is something you look back on as a mini golden-era, but you never previously explored further back in time, you must get this album. You can't fail to love it.

The ultimate Prince Buster cd with all his major titles inc, 15 Jun 2001
If you love the Prince and his lyrical swing you will love this album. The punching ska beat and the suggestive lyrics (This was the 60's don't forget) make this a "Must have" for your collection. Unlike "Fabulous" which is more instrumental in basis, with the Prince blowing his horn and a heavy jazzy-ska arrangement ,Wreck a pum pum'' shows how far ahead of his time he was, and was probably more influential on todays RapArtists and DJ.s. Listening to tracks like Rough Rider, Whine and Grine , you can visualise the Mods of the 60,s really kicking up a storm, which is why Prince Buster was so popular in Britain at that time. While it is a lot more commercialised than his other works, there is not one track that is not up to scratch. The master of cheek - the ultimate "Rude Boy" indeed. Great.

The Prince's less mature but still stellar work, 27 Feb 2001
The Prince is back with the first of two releases of mostly previously unavailable tracks lost in the shockwaves following the implosion of Blue Beat Records. "Wreck A Pum Pum" (if you're not up on Patois, this could be approximated to "Stick a Pu__y") is a bouncy romp through Mr. Campbell's musical libido. It is not "unlistenable", as other reviewers have branded it, but it might not be something to be played in mixed company, especially if you have a tenuous hold on your significant other. The title track is set to the tune of "The Little Drummer Boy", and essentially extols The Prince's desire to have a woman tonight. I really liked The Sexy Girls' response track, "Wreck A Buddy", which has been covered by female reggae artists in recent years. The album also includes three more well-known songs such as the oft-covered "Rough Rider", "Ten Commandments" (obviously cut before P.B.'s Muslim days), and "Whine and Grine". The best tracks (musically) are split between "Pharoh House Crash" and "Pum Pum A Go Will You". The second would be the clear winner, with its superior backing vocals (possibly by the Sexy Girls, though no credit is given), and rolicking, hurky-jerky, pre-rocksteady beat; it would, that is, but for PB's own vocal contribution to the song, which consists of mostly raspy grunts which you might say are better suited to later reggae. "Pharoah House Crash" on the other hand has all the elements of a classic ska song: a two-chord progression, horns running the show more than the guitar, and vocals spinning folk knowledge on the refrain, viz: "Every day carry bucket to the well / one day the bucket bottom must drop out" Track number ten, "The Abeng" is a very welcome instrumental, and the following track, "Train to Girls Town", which the listener may anticipate as the most lusty of all the songs, is actually the least libidinous while at the same time being the most self-referential. Passengers aboard the train are shuttled past the houses of Emmanuel Zachariah Zaccipom, Judge Dread, and "The Mighty Prince Buster"! If you are a fan of The Prince, you must get this album. However if things like sex offend you, you should check out the second in the series, "King of Ska".