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The Liquidators are a nine-piece outfit hailing from Lille in northern France, originally formed in 2015 as The Soul Rebels, a one-off backing band for Jamaican rocksteady veteran Freddie Notes. Since then, the group has carved out a niche for themselves with irresistibly catchy ska, rocksteady, and reggae reworkings of pop, rock, and soul classics. Following two five-track Eps, 'The Liquidators' (2017) and 'Get Ready' (2018), they're now back with their long-awaited full-length debut.
From their first EP, they revisit ‘These Boots’, a lively ska rendition of Nancy Sinatra’s 1966 hit ‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin’, and ‘Chameleon’, a dub-flavoured rocksteady take on Herbie Hancock’s instrumental classic.
On ‘INTENSIFIED!’, they add a playful ska version of ‘Tainted Love’ (complete with soaring trumpet lines by Timus), a reimagined ‘Light My Fire’ by The Doors (featuring Julien’s saxophone front and centre), and a heavy rocksteady spin on The White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’, a tune previously tackled by fellow French outfit The Dynamics. Other gems include ‘Mr. Big Stuff’, a soul staple originally sung by Jean Knight in 1971, and ‘How Long?’, a take on Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings’ ‘How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?’.
But the real standout here, at least as far as we’re concerned, is their brilliant reinterpretation of Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Move On Up’.
If there’s one thing you can count on with The Liquidators, it’s that wherever they go, the party follows!
Catch The Liquidators presenting ‘INTENSIFIED!’ live at Irie Vibes Roots Festival on Saturday, July 26!
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About the Author
Jah RebelLag samen met Jah Shakespear aan de basis van Reggae.be; eerst als recensent en interviewer, en vanaf eind 2014 ook als hoofdredacteur.
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Published
June 22, 2025