Various Artists - Ska Mania [Cult Records] (CD)

All Music Guide

Cleopatra's Ska Mania is a three-disc box that repackages two prior releases: the double-disc set The Unsung Heroes of the Two-Tone Era: 100 British Ska and 1998's Bad Manners retrospective The Collection. The two-disc set collects a large number of ska revival obscurities and rarities, and as such is a boon to any serious collector, although casual fans can easily pass. Acts featured include the Akrylykz (with future Fine Young Cannibal Roland Gift on vocals), Judge Dread, the Piranhas, the Originals, the Ska City Rockers, the Ska Downs, and the Teenage Filmstars, among many others. There's no arguing that Bad Manners were one of the most entertaining groups to come out of the British ska revival movement, but The Collection isn't the best way to get acquainted with them, since it's missing several of their best songs and features live versions of others, which aren't quite as good as the original studio cuts.

- Steve Huey, All Music Guide