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SKAper : SKAper EP

SKAper are a six-piece reggae band from the Wairarapa. They’ve had various formations for the last two years since the initial three founding members from Masterton put the band together, going on to play in the surrounding towns’ festivals during that time. In 2010 they went into Warren Maxwell’s Stonefeather studios, and between Little Bushman sessions they recorded and mixed four songs that made it to this EP. Unlike other Kiwi acts in this genre, the saxophone playing, in this case by Ihaia Newton-Taylor, doesn’t feature that prominently. It’s just quietly and loosely in the opening Man Or Machine, and later Stand Tall, leaving plenty of room for Mike and Morgan’s pub rock electric guitar-driven reggae grooves to stand out. Lead vocals are smooth, almost a cross between Dallas Tamaira and Jayson Norris. The fifth and final track, a live version of Wake Up, reveals a more self assured sound, a confidence and energy that is sure to peak the interest of promoters for the summer festivals.

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