The Braces - Vitamin U

From the mid-eighties up to 1991, The Braces were in demand all over Europe. Together with Skaos and The Busters, they numbered among the first generation of ska bands in Germany. The compilation »Skank ? Licensed To Ska« (Link Records/England) from 1988 was the first sign of life of what became known as the third ska wave and went on to become a worldwide hit. »Julie, Julie« by The Braces was acclaimed as one of its highlights. In December 1988, The Braces found themselves on the stage of the 1st International Ska Festival in London, featuring such acts as Prince Buster and Bim Skala Bim. The next morning, they were interviewed on the BBC?s Radio 1 Breakfast Show. The next two years saw one successful album for the London label Unicorn followed by another for Vielklang/Pork Pie in Berlin, flanked by tours across Europe. Then, The Braces split up. Among other things, because their manager disappeared with the band?s money and contracts.

Reincarnation 2000: Singer/guitarist Joachim Uerschels and singer/saxophonist Martin Störkmann are the sole original members, with new musicians recruited in Düsseldorf and Cologne: drummer Mattes, for instance, who had previously already recorded ska albums with Monkey Shop. »Ska Got Soul« was produced by Ekki Maas (Dr. Ring Ding & the Senior Allstars, Dr. Calypso, Doreen Shaffer).

»Ska Got Soul« is a crucible / melifluous mix / mélange / blend / an amalgam / delicious brew / medley of 60s ska, 2Tone ska, soul, rocksteady and pop. The album features eight new songs written by Joachim: »My heroes are Nick Lowe, Prince Buster and Smokey Robinson. And you can hear it on the record.« At least, you can hear the difference from other ska bands. There are many who have the rhythm, but only The Braces have the songs.