The Ranglins – (The) Tracks [On My Arms], Scumbag & Autumn Leaves

East London’s The Ranglins released a few singles last year so we thought we’d give them a listen and let you know what we thought!

First in the list is ‘(The) Tracks [On My Arms]’. Ignoring the obvious overuse of various brackets 😉, I imagine this is how Paul Wellers next band after The Jam could have sounded if they’d introduced a bit of ska and dropped the jumpers over the shoulders look! It’s an excellent track.

Next up is ‘Scumbag’ and The Ranglins pull no punches with the lyrics with this all to familiar story of a violent, bigoted racist. As it launches, you think you’re about the listen to an old school Northern Soul tune but it quickly launches into a catchy ska anthem with soul driven keyboards that I’m sure will be a live favourite. I can imagine a singalong forming during this track at any live appearance they make. I love this single…great stuff!

Finally, and most recently is their single ‘Autumn Leaves’, released last November. Bouncing Ska & Reggae rhythms with a skipping baseline, this will have you bouncing along all the way through. It finishes off their releases for 2023 perfectly.

The Ranglins manage to merge the Soul and Ska genres perfectly and I think they definitely are more of the latter, but their brand of Ska is certainly all the better for the soul influences. If I was pushed to choose a favourite of the three, then it would be ‘Scumbag’ but it’s a close call to be honest.

They have a six track CD available which has some of their earlier releases plus (The) Tracks [On My Arms], every one of which is also top notch (‘And She Was Right’ is an absolute banger!). It can be purchased from Rough Trade here: The Ranglins – A Bunch of Fives – (CD) | Rough Trade. All their music is also available on the usual streaming sites.

I’m hoping to catch the band live this year, I’m sure they will be even better ‘in the flesh’! You should definitely do the same! And hopefully, all these singles means there will be an album on the horizon!

• Pauly

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