There might have been good reason to believe Gentleman’s Dub Club leader Jonathan Scratchley’s warning that the nine-piece might not return for an encore at the end of this joyous gig.
“We’ve got a rider back there,” the perma-grinned singer told his sympathetic audience. “It’s got fruit and nuts on it and everything.”
Their platter would have needed to be a hefty one if it replenished these party firers at the end of their set of love letters to heavyweight dub rock.
Ska revivalism in suits is hardly a niche market when it comes to crowd-pleasing, but Scratchley and his tight mini-orchestra embraced a honed understanding of the subtle tempo changes needed to shift a dancefloor from mosh to full-on rave mode.
Their sense for a well-placed drum escalation, funk guitar interlude or improvised reggae flourish must have been the perfect foil for The Wailers, who they have supported on tour and evidently share an adoration of groove with.
Emergency’s ghostly refrain and lyrics about a waiting taxman were looted straight from The Specials with a knowing wink and a mighty bassline.
Music Is The Girl I Love, meanwhile, portrayed their craft as a lifelong marriage rewarding loyalty with redemption.
Four stars
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