Better Must Come

The Red Stripes are Hong Kong’s premier Ska band and have been playing to audiences all over Asia for the past thirteen years, including packed shows in Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei, China, Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia, Seoul and Bangkok. 

Their brand of vintage era ska features a 10 piece band hailing originally from the UK, Canada and Australia. They have performed at top events in Hong Kong and as backing to Neville Staple and Roddy Radiation (The Specials), and supported the likes of Roy Ellis, Keith and Tex, The Toasters, The Skatalites, From The Jam and Johnny Osbourne amongst others. 

After releasing their debut 10 track album ‘In The Ska East’ with legendary Ska vocalist, writer and producer Sean ‘Cavo’ Dinsmore’ (The Toasters) at the helm, the band began to receive critical acclaim worldwide. The album featured guest vocals from The Specials original frontman Neville Staple. 

The band have also been featured on Specialized Records tributes to Trojan Records and 2 Tone, Rudies All Around Vol 2 on Happy People Records and Ska Cares released by Supernova Ska. In 2019 the band went into legendary Avon Studios in Hong Kong and recorded their second album ‘Made In Hong Kong’ with top recording artist and producer King Zepha; recorded on vintage equipment to create an authentic Ska sound that blends elements of Soul, Dub, Reggae and Rocksteady. 

The band returned to Avon Studios in 2023 to record their latest album ‘Better Must Come’ with King Zepha once again at the helm. Moving on from the 2 Tone style of their first album ‘In The Ska East’ and the mono vintage sounds of ‘Made In Hong Kong’ the new long player features their biggest sound yet adding some rootsy dub, tropical sunshine reggae, uptempo 2-Tone and scorching 60’s ska, with rotating male and female vocals! Available on powder blue vinyl (limited to 350 copies) with stunning artwork by renowned illustrator Peter O’Toole that harks back to an era of positivity.

Tracklist

A1.   Rude Boy Swagger
A2.   Better Get Used To It
A3.   Lion
A4.   Burn A Fire
A5.   Don't Call You On The Phone
A6.   Blue Ska Thinking

B1.   Slow Boat
B2.   Walk Away (Why Did I)
B3.   Captain Hindsight
B4.   Oblivious To The Danger
B5.   Aladdin
B6.   呢度唔該

Credits

Bass Guitar – Paul Stripe
Congas, Bongos, Timbales, Bells – Maninder Kalsi
Artwork by Peter O'Toole
Drums, Marimba, Vibraphone, Tambourine – Matt Davis
Guitar – Peter Longe
Keyboards, Piano, Vocals – Billy Goldring
Produced, recorded and mixed by King Zepha
Tenor Saxophone – Cam Otto
Trombone – Hugo Busbridge
Trumpet – Mark Willett, Simon Nixon
Vocals – Fred Croft, Lynne Wilson