Hepcat started out in 1994 with there first realease "Out of Nowhere." In 1996 they realeased "Scientific" which is a very nice album, but there best album to date would be "Right on Time."
If someone asked you to name a 90's ska band what would you probably say? Sublime, Catch22, Reel Big Fish etc. Hepcat is/was a 90's ska band but they did something a lot of other ska bands didn't. They stuck to there roots and played 1st wave or traditional ska. Although I am a fan of 3rd wave ska, this is probably one my favorite ska album of all time.
Most people might be bored with traditional ska saying stuff like "All of the songs sound the same." I must disagree. Although the guitar parts are similar in most of the songs the saxophons, trumpets, and keyboards are the main instruments to listen to when you listen to Hepcat. When you listen to music like this you should really try to listen to all of the instruments, instead of just the guitar. If your not really paying attention to the different types of instruments and you want to relax to it, that also works with Hepcat. Hepcat is great music to chill out to.
Members - Greg Lee - Vocals
Alex Desert - Vocals
Deston Berry - Keys : Vocals
Dave Fuentes - Bass
Efron Santana - Tenor Sax
Raul Talavera - Alto Sax
Kincaid Smith - Trumpet
Additional Members - Scott Abels - Drums
Aaron Owens - Guitar
Lino Trujilu - Guitar
1.Right On Time :40 - This is a 40 second intro that kicks off the album with a smooth guitar riff and a man talking on a phone. Later on a very jazzy horn line comes in and closes out the intro. 4/5(for an intro)
2.I Can't Wait 3:22 - I Can't Wait starts off where "right on time" left off. Another jazzy horn line starts off the song. After the short intro a quick guitar riff comes in and the horns keep playing. This is one of the quicker songs on the album. Gregs vocals are very smooth and they keep up with the quick guitar riff.
5/5
3.Goodbye Street 3:36 - Hepcat slows down the pace with this one. THis song is soft and soothing, Gregs voice is gold in this song. The brass section isn't shown off to much until about two minutes into the song there is a very nice and cool horn solo. This is a very soothing song and it has the potential to put you right to sleep.
4/5
4.The Secret - The Secret slows down the pace even more than Goodbye Street The vocals in this song have a nice reggae feel to them. There is a slow reggae breakdown in the middle of the song. The backing vocals are also a standout. There isn't a lot of horn work(which is a shame because they have a great horn section)but the vocals and rythm make up for it.
4/5
5.Pharoah's Dreams 3:27 - This is an instrumental. Pharoah's Dreams is very jazzy and hace a smooth guitar riff. At about one minute into the song a keyboard starts playing and there are maracas in the backround instead of a guitar riff. Although the keyboard takes over in the middle that doesn't mean that the horns arn't present. The Sax and trumpet are great in this song, they just mix together so well. This is a great instrumental and it will not bore you.
4.5/5
6.No Worries 3:39 - Right from the get to there is the best horn line featured on this album. It is very sharp and crip. Destons vocals are also very strong. He is very smooth when he sings "Tra la la la la la - la la la la." "No Worries" really pickes up the pace. About a minute into the songa sax solo is played. This is upbeat, quick, and offers a great horn section. The vocals are also at there best. Hepcat really put it all into this song.
5/5
7.Mama Used To Say 4:03- Right after "No Worries" Hepcat cool down the pace. Once again a jazzy horn line kicks off the song. This song has a very nice reggae feel with nice backing saxophones. This is sort of a sad and mellow track. About 1:45 into the song a keyboard solo is played, it really fits nicely into the song. Although this is much slower than the majority of the tracksm is is excellent.
4/5
8. Ruddies All Around 4:13 - Starting off with a soft guitar riff Greg comes in sing "Ruddies All Around." This track reminds me a lot of "Mama Used To Say" although this may have more vocal depth and has more of a reggae/Bob Marley feel to it. If you like reggae influenced songs that are very chill, than this is for you.
3.5/5
9.Tommy's Song 4:00 - We're back to another upbeat track. The horns kick off the song and they basically don't go away. About 1:10 into the song a beautiful sax solo plays with a guitar backing it up. The solo last about one minute long. After this there is a light guitar solo that is very soft and it makes you feel like you're in Jamaica. Another great instrumental by Hepcat.
5/5
10.Nigel 2:42 - Hepcat keeps a steady pace with "Nigel." There is Bob Marley-ish vocals on this song. Deston lyrics sing about Rude Boys and how they are all over the world. A very strong track vocaly. Once again Hepcat sticks another solo in the middle of the song. This is probably my favorite solo off the album because it is fast and snappy. The sax and trumpet close out the most intense song on the album
4/5
11.Together Someday 3:50 - A very very chilling hornline starts of the song. High-pitched vocals come in and some awesome "ooh ahh" backing vocals back it up. This is another great vocal track. This is obviously a love song "you mezmerize me girl, I've never met someone so right." A sax solo is perfectly placed in the middle of the song. This is a relaxing track with out a lot of horn appereance.
4.5/5
12.Baby Blues 4:43 - Here is yet another instrumental. This song has a steady pace and some fancy/jazzy horns playing throughout. Although this is another smooth track, Hepcat changes it up. A keyboard solo is wonderfully placed towards the middle of the song. After that there is another trumpet solo and then Hepcat closes the song. Although this is a fine track, I'm getting a little bored of Hepcats strong structure.
4/5
13.Open Season...Is Closed 8:23 - This is pretty much a jam session. This is probably my favorite on the album. The backing vocals are soothing, the horns are as catchy as everand Destons voice brings it all together. This song really just makes you want to groove, or you can sit back and enjoy the beat. This is a great way to end a magnificent album.
5/5
Overall rating 4.5/5
Recomended If you like
Desmond Dekker
The Specials
The Slackers
Pros: Good traditional ska/reggae
This is a great cd to chill out to or relax to
Awesome hornlines and horn solos
Destons vocals are magnificent
Cons: If you need some fast music than this isn't for you
If you don't like instrumentals than there could be a problem
Once again this is a great album. Even if you don't like ska/reggae you should at least try to listen to this band.
