Now filled out with an impressive array of bonus tracks, single cuts and the previously unreleased "My Kind Of Girl", THE UNTOUCHABLES' 1985 album "Wild Child" is both ripe for re-appraisal and deserves the opportunity to re-assert itself as the missing link between the UK 2-Tone scene and the current vogue for all things ska kick-started by the new Yanks like NO DOUBT and THE OFFSPRING.
Truly, though, THE UNTOUCHABLES - despite hailing from Southern California - owe far more to the 2-Tone movement and it's no surprise that after hitching a ride on the late period STIFF Records bandwagon they had immediate chart success with the brash 'n' soulful triumvirate of "Wild Child", "(I Spy For The) FBI" and "What's Gone Wrong", all of which give prime MADNESS a run for their money with their direct, punchy accessibility.
With their multi-racial line up and BLUES BROTHERS meet CIA spooks down a dark alley image, THE UNTOUCHABLES - at least initially - could do no wrong and seventeen years on, it's still damn tricky to wrong foot an album rife with good feelings, positivity and soulful musicianship.
THE UNTOUCHABLES are still best renowned for the brassy, soul review stabs of "Wild Child" and "(I Spy For The) FBI", but the parent album also chalks up several more bulls eyes in the same vein, via the nervy "Free Yourself", the frantic, tom-heavy "City Gent" (dig those false endings!) and "Soul Together", where the South Central funk couples with the Philly soul train to great effect.
I'd forgotten, though, that THE UNTOUCHABLES were so adept at sidling into Reggae. "What's Gone Wrong?" and a sparse and lengthier version of the same tune prove they can/could handle Lovers Rock as sweet as JOHN HOLT, while the wobbly "Lasershow" relocates them to militant mid-70s Jamaica and the poignant "Lebanon" is a naked and tender tale of a Lonesome GI in a territory he can't comprehend. It's both sad and just lovely.
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Whether unwittingly or not, THE UNTOUCHABLES' contemporary LA roots poke through on occasions, strangely reminding your correspondent of the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS in both the hi-octane rapping of "Freak In The Streets" or the skittery rhythm guitar of "Lasershow" which is uncannily close to the late HILLEL SLOVAK'S work on the PEPPERS' "Love Trilogy." At a separate tangent, the straightforward groove of "Lovers Again" shows THE UNTOUCHABLES could also master skinny white boy pop when the urge took them.
Apart from the aforementioned "Lebanon" and the extended "What's Gone Wrong", the additional tracks aren't makeweights either. Indeed, the summery skank and uplifting message of "Shine On" and the sure-footed, infectious Northern Soul of the previously unreleased "My Kind Of Girl" are the equal of anything "Wild Child" itself proffers.
To these assaulted ears, THE UNTOUCHABLES continue to sound far more inventive and vital than the likes of NO DOUBT, RANCID and their ilk, who are currently shifting the kind of units our LA heroes should have had access to. However, this fresh American ska/ punk resurgence has helped to raise THE UNTOUCHABLES' profile again (they still play live to this day) so you never know.
In the meantime, plug yourself into the source again with "Wild Child." It remains shockingly good.
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