It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Strange Manor is a place in Richmond, California, which houses several musicians who play in various bands across the BAY, such as The Soul Captives, The Struts, and the Phenomenauts...

Last year, they recorded and produced a Christmas album that reflected their musical tastes and backgrounds. It was a a great holiday album and thank god they've recorded another one this year!

Rock, funk, country, and of course, ska and reggae are just some of the styles represented in this year's Christmas album....

My favorite song? Definitely "Run Rude Rudolph" which sounds as if it was the Specials themselves who recorded the song...

You can check it out here: http://www.thesoulcaptives.com/strangemanor/07/

And if you missed their album last year, you can check it out here: http://www.thesoulcaptives.com/strangemanor/06/


Still in the mood for Christmas tunes? Don't forget to check out Go Jimmy Go's new holiday album, "Holiday Hell Yeah!" which was just released last month. 10 tracks of holiday cheer(some covers, mostly originals) with a Hawaiian flavor mixed in for good fun!

It'll get you in the holiday spirit, and remind you why you love Go Jimmy Go so much...(they've been relatively low profile lately haven't they?)

You can buy the album here: Holiday Hell Yeah!
You can also buy the album on Itunes!
And don't forget to check out Go Jimmy Go's website: http://www.gojimmygo.com/

Review: The Pinstripes - "The Decay"

2007 Stubborn Records
Drawing on a vast mixture of influences, a strong foundation, and tons of ambition, The Pinstripes have been making name for themselves. They recently won the Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Best World Music Act, and have shared the stage with many of today's top Ska acts.

This year they released their new album "The Decay". If non-stop energetic rhythms, and blistering horns are your thing, your gonna love this album.

The album opens with such a powerful punch of energy in the song "Find It", you'll be thirsty for more. They relax the tempo a bit with a little number called "50 Cardinal". The way the drum and bass swing are reminiscent of an old SkinnerBox tune. That's what I love about the album, it's diversity. I've always had a soft spot that way. It's really easy to find yourself moving to the sounds of ska, reggae, dub, funk, punk, and more. The Pinstripes capture these styles, and fuse them into finely crafted album for any music lover.

"Evening Dub" sets off with the great words "Sit back and listen keenly, well I play for you another musical biscuit" echoing into a heavy, heavy bass line. Melting horns dubbed over a tight neck breaking beat and hard crashing cymbals. This one easily shows how they are able to move in and out of styles seamlessly.

Another stand out tune is "Africa". A straight up dose of Ska with powerful horn lines, and gut wrenching sax solos, dueling over an infectious upbeat skank that will get you off your feet in no time.

After burning you up throughout the entire album, they cool you down with a stripped down acoustic tune called "Wanna Go Home". Real easy on the ears, and catchy like Chris Murray.

One listen through this album will have you shaking off the jitters like a roller coaster ride, and eager to get on again. And believe me you'll have to hear it again.

If you love music, you'll like this album.

-Gabe


For more info on The Pinstripes visit:


http://pinstripes.rudeska.com/index.html


http://www.myspace.com/thepinstripes

Buy it at Stubborn Records Online Store