Skapone | ms

If you count it's earlier incarnation as State of Emergency, this Chicago ska outfit has ben around for at least a decade, minding its own business even as ska became a youth cult and a commercial powerhouse on modern rock radio. Often tagged as "traditionalists", tending the flame lit in Jamaica in the 60's and fanned by English 2-TONE in the late 70's, their second album, Bold New Flavor, is an irreverent mix of ska, R&B, punk, rap, and the kitchen sink. For example, ‘So Bad" begins with a delerious rap, syncopated guitar, and horn section quotes from "Rhapsody in...