The Big Head, The Measure.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 22nd May 2009.

There is rather a strange feel to tonights level 2 gig. Ska played the central role. A word of mention must be made of the sterling efforts of the DJ who worked purely and simply with vinyl. Old 45s with crackles and hisses blasting out of the twin speakers as he lovingly spends the whole evening selecting ska driven sounds working from two turntables.

To contrast and complement what could have been a one dimensional evening, were support band THE MEASURE. Their debut album "Beta Morphosis" is available tonight. Five pounds gets you a copy and I highly recommend it. The recording is good and perfectly captures the live feel of the band. The excellent artwork completes the package. The Measure are at their happiest when they create the filthiest of funk basslines. The percussion simmers along and tonight there is also a touch of brass included. With "Let me in" they anchor a most satisfying groove. "House" includes the singalong lyrics of "I said a house don't make a home, no, no / Just wanna be on my own". With festival season soon to be in the air, the band introduce a new song called "Dilemma", which is a welcome addition and will no doubt grow on us during the year. "Getting me Down" contains some pulsating pumping rhythms. However, I do have my doubts about a cover of "Mercy". It's only a small glitch though as The Measure are always so "Good for me"!

Headliners THE BIG HEAD are visiting Esquires as part of their nationwide Temple Of Boom 2009 tour. "Rude Boy Nation" offers a skanking start. Dub reggae afficionados certainly appreciated "Tuff Love", while 2 Tone fans were kept happy by "Reaperman". The audience, which has steadily grown throughout the evening, are certainly more respectful to the venue than those who attented the Ska Explosion gig earlier in the month. Tonight they skank on the dancefloor and not on the stage! "Funky Neighborhood" is a slight departure as it rocks along. The Big Head are armed with some mighty dancefloor fillers, but played with enough imagination, craft and heart to impress. "No Diggety" is very chilled out frothy reggae, but including brass adds interest. A couple of covers pad out the middle of the set, namely "Police and Thieves" and "OK Fred". "Get Ready" benefits from their keyboardist who also excelled in their excellent representation of Booker T's "Time is Tight". "Party Tonight" is a self-explanatory singalong which most of the attendees joined in with.