I love Ska. This is a genre that spans so many ethnicities, so many nationalities, so many social demographics. I was introduced to Ska in the late 70s by one of my five older brothers. Bad Manners, The Beat, The Selecter. Quality music from quality musicians. And something to say about society and its ills.

Taranaki-based The Mara (I love the Naki!) are singer Jordan Jones, plus for this track accordion player Barbora Varnaite, James Mora, Richard Grant, Angela Froitzheim and Tom Roberts. Original bassist Phil Hoskin provided bass for this recording.

They have managed to combine Ska with Latin, and even added an Eastern European feel to the melody. It’s a fast moving track, with Jordan showing his vocal versatility. An almost punky, Captain Beefheart meets Magazine meets Dave Vanian from The Damned bass vocal for the verses is then countered with a huge set of pipes reminiscent of an operatic Beat vocalist David Wakeling. Really entertaining and somewhat mesmerising, in fact. Well done to producer Chris Foreman at Swampshack Studio for the twiddling of the knobs.

This is definitely different, in a very unusual, great way. This is not pop music: it’s too avant-garde for such dismissive label. It’s absolutely going to sound fabulous live, and will be a floor filler. I hope this gets a lot of airplay on alternative radio and the student networks, because it’s an organic and vibrant sound, tipping the cap to the greats of this genre from days gone by. I could see Buster Bloodvessel hamming it up with this one at a riotous Bad Manners show!

Lyrically Jordan explains in the EPK: “I came up with the song while contemplating the struggles I had as an ADHD child growing up in the 90’s and early 2000’s. I remember the feeling of rejection as I faced a world that didn’t understand my ‘condition’. What I have now discovered to be a kind of ‘Superpower’, school taught me to believe was a curse, something wrong with me and worthy of punishment. I want this song to inspire people to tap into their differences and dissolve the myth that neurodiversity is a limitation…”

Absolutely one to watch out for. This is a track I’d suggest would go down well on the speakers at a bar or club, and as mentioned, live. Very good musicianship, and a vocalist with character and depth to his performance. I want to see them touring, and it seems they are! Follow them on Face-ache, and please show your support.

I’m still humming A-woo! Very cool. Very cool.