As the opening act for BROILERS at Huxley’s in Berlin, I saw the band from London for the first time. I didn’t like them there. Their music didn’t fit with BROILERS, and their performance gave a very shy impression. Almost as if they didn’t know why they were on stage that evening. They appeared paralyzed and completely static. Singer and pianist Jet Baker was also positioned sideways to the audience, which added to the confusion.
The second time I saw the band was as the opening act for The Creepshow at the Berliner Roadrunners Paradise Club. The stage there was smaller. And suddenly, the band’s sound ignited. They were no longer shy or inhibited on stage, and suddenly everything fit. It was a joyful, fun, and danceable 40 minutes in which the band presented their sound.
Now their debut work is remastered and available as a digipack in the record store of your choice. A good reason to put BUSTER SHUFFLE back into the home system and enjoy their special sound.
When I think of the band, the same descriptions always come to mind, such as “very English,”
“very old-school Ska and Pop,” and “sounds like songs that were played during Monty Python's Flying Circus.”
Jet Baker’s vocals sound exactly as one would imagine a Londoner’s singing. At the same time, it sounds very English and old school. It is the voice of the time when there were still scooter boys. The piano playing, but especially the melodies of the songs, emphasize this impression.
It’s a mix of old Rocksteady and Ska, Rock’n’Roll (with a pop attitude), and a knack for danceable and catchy melodies.
BUSTER SHUFFLE are actually totally old school, but they manage to make the sound not boring or outdated, but fresh and unspoiled.
BUSTER SHUFFLE are something special!
You can experience their uniqueness in early May 2011 when the band from London returns for three concerts in Germany.
