Playtime
Hellcat Records
Known for his work with the outstanding traditional ska bands Hepcat, the Slackers, Donkey Show and the Stubborn All-Stars, David Hillyard has been one of the most prolific saxophonists this country's ska scene has witnessed. Joined by talented musicians from the ska and jazz worlds, Playtime finds Hillyard once more deserving the position he occupies.
In objection to the glossy state popular music currently finds itself in, Playtime does not attempt to gain a state of perfection through excessive post-production. The liner notes brag the album comes "without the cosmetic overdubs that are so common in popular music today." Indeed, the album features rare "live" musicianship.
The live feel comes through in each number, presenting the listener with morsel after morsel of tasty, improvisational, jazz-influenced ska. Acting as bookends to the rest of the collection, "Sidney's March" and "Sidney's Ghost" offer a fresh look into low-fidelity New Orleans-style jazz. The remaining portion of the album is primarily given over to expertly executed, '60s-minded ska.
Critical cuts include "The Fool," a calypso-ska track featuring excellent vocals courtesy of Hepcat, and "Playtime," a rocking horn-driven slice of instrumental fun. Playtime even includes a rendition of the Lennon-McCartney- penned "Norwegian Wood."
This record offers itself as testament to the possibilities inherent in the combination of various yet similar musical genres. Hillyard refuses to insult the listener by employing the overly simplistic music and sophomoric humor that often finds a home on contemporary ska albums. Instead, he focuses Playtime on complex and challenging tunes that are significantly more satisfying than those that have been dubbed ska by the mainstream.
--Brian Gettler