Better Late Than Never
Encyclopedia
Better Late Than Never is the debut full-length album by the ska/reggae band The Slackers
, originally released in 1996 (see 1996 in music
) on Moon Ska Records. It was later remastered and re-released with three additional tracks from the original recording sessions on March 19, 2002 on Special Potato Records.
The album was a notable debut for the band, paving the way for their eventual signing to Hell-Cat Records. It was also a significant departure from the Two Tone and garage rock
influences of the band's early days, instead opting for a sound akin to the traditional ska
acts of 1960s Jamaica. The album was produced by noted ska/reggae producer Victor Rice
, who later collaborated with members of the band on projects by the Stubborn All-Stars
and the Version City Rockers
.
Two of the songs on the album, "Work Song" and "Our Day Will Come" were both previously recorded by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass on the 1966 album S.R.O.
, though neither of the songs were written by Alpert.
The album was again reissued in 2009 by Asbestos Records as a single disc that included a 7". It was available on black vinyl in a limited quantity of 150 or on white in a limited quantity of 350.
, except where noted.
The Slackers
The Slackers are a New York City band, formed in Brooklyn in 1991. The band's sound is a mix of ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, soul, garage rock, and jazz...
, originally released in 1996 (see 1996 in music
1996 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
) on Moon Ska Records. It was later remastered and re-released with three additional tracks from the original recording sessions on March 19, 2002 on Special Potato Records.
The album was a notable debut for the band, paving the way for their eventual signing to Hell-Cat Records. It was also a significant departure from the Two Tone and garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
influences of the band's early days, instead opting for a sound akin to the traditional ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
acts of 1960s Jamaica. The album was produced by noted ska/reggae producer Victor Rice
Victor Rice
Victor Rice is a musician and producer from New York City. He is most noted for his work within the third wave ska genre of the 1990s through the early 2000s, as both a bassist and as a producer....
, who later collaborated with members of the band on projects by the Stubborn All-Stars
Stubborn All-Stars
Stubborn All-Stars are a New York City ska band led by King Django, front man of Skinnerbox and owner of Stubborn Records.By early 1994, Django's original ska roots began to tug at him, and he assembled Stubborn All-Stars for a studio session which resulted in the 4-song Old's Cool 7" EP...
and the Version City Rockers
Version City
Version City is an American reggae record label and recording studio.Since its inception in New York City 1997 by local ska veteran King Django, it has changed its location to its current home in New Brunswick, New Jersey...
.
Two of the songs on the album, "Work Song" and "Our Day Will Come" were both previously recorded by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass on the 1966 album S.R.O.
S.R.O.
S.R.O., issued in 1966, was Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass' seventh album. It included work by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, as well as the band's cover of "Mame" , one of the first TJB recordings to include vocals from Alpert, as he and the group sang the song's chorus in the middle of the...
, though neither of the songs were written by Alpert.
The album was again reissued in 2009 by Asbestos Records as a single disc that included a 7". It was available on black vinyl in a limited quantity of 150 or on white in a limited quantity of 350.
CD tracks
All songs written by Vic RuggieroVic Ruggiero
Victor "Vic" Ruggiero, is a musician, songwriter and producer from New York City who has played in many ska bands, such as The Slackers, Stubborn All-Stars, SKAndalous All Stars, Crazy Baldhead and The Silencers...
, except where noted.
- "Work Song" – 5:11
- "Runaway" – 3:44
- "Pedophilia" – 4:19
- "Sooner or Later" – 3:48
- "Two Face" – 4:29
- "Cuban Cigar" – 3:33
- "You Don't Know I" – 5:00
- "Tonight" (Dave HillyardDave HillyardDave Hillyard is a tenor saxophonist originating from San Diego, California. He has performed with many groups such as The Slackers, The Rocksteady Seven, The Donkey Show, Hepcat, Stubborn All-Stars, and has guested with the likes of Rancid, Victor Rice, Skinnerbox NYC and Alexandra Lawerentz...
, Ruggiero) – 3:28 - "Sarah" – 3:33
- "Treat Me Good" (Hillyard, Ruggiero) – 4:23
- "Prophet" (Hillyard) – 3:24
- "Our Day Will Come" (featuring Doreen Schaefer) – 3:55
- "Contemplation" – 5:50
- "7 and 7" (2002 re-release only) – 3:15
- "Certain Girl" (2002 re-release only) – 3:06
- "Cawl Me Crazy" (2002 re-release only) – 4:38