Money Talks: The Slackers Revive a 1930s Classic with Ska Swagger
New York ska stalwarts The Slackers have long been masters at blending genres, weaving together the threads of ska, reggae, rocksteady, and soul with sharp social observation and timeless groove. Active since the early 1991, the band have built a reputation for keeping the spirit of vintage Jamaican music alive while adding their own distinctly urban, modern edge.
Their latest single, Money Is King, is the title track from their forthcoming five-track EP, due for release on 7th November. The record will be available on gorgeous coloured/picture vinyl, a treat for collectors and long-time fans alike.
The song itself is a reinterpretation of a 1935 calypso classic by Neville Marcano, better known as The Growling Tiger. Marcano’s original is a piece of razor-sharp social commentary – a witty, biting critique of class inequality and the corrupting influence of wealth. Nearly a century on, its lyrics still strike a chord, and The Slackers have captured that timeless relevance perfectly.
They take the calypso foundation and inject it with a dose of ska swagger, transforming the original rhythm into something bolder and more infectious. The horns shimmer, the rhythm section skanks with precision, and Vic Ruggiero’s knowing vocal delivery keeps the song’s satirical bite intact. The result is a track that feels both vintage and urgent – proof that great songs, and great messages, never age.
With Money Is King, The Slackers don’t just revisit the past — they reimagine it for today’s world, showing once again why they remain one of ska’s most vital and enduring bands.
The forthcoming EP can be pre-ordered (in the US) from Pirate Press Records HERE
and in Europe from CoreTex Records HERE
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