Coyaba Ska

by Steve LeggettThe Coyabalites are the house band at the Coyaba River Garden complex in Ochos Rios, and although they are a Jamaican supergroup of sorts, with a lineup that includes the Zap Pow horn section (Vin Gordon on trombone, Glen DaCosta on sax, David Madden on trumpet, plus Dean Fraser on sax), along with keyboardist Harold Butler, guitarist Ernest Ranglin and vocals from the great Justin Hinds, they are in effect a lounge jazz/ska show band. This means they have a tendency to smooth out the compositions they tackle rather than rave them up for the dancefloor. Coyaba Ska is actually their complete debut album, Unhinged, with a few extra tracks thrown in. Given the pedigree, listeners might be forgiven for expecting a little bit more from this band. Everything here is pleasant, but nothing really explodes, and by playing it safe, the Coyabalites have truly sold their talent short. Unhinged has better sound, and although Coyaba Ska has more tracks, interested listeners are probably better served by seeking out the earlier release.