Suggs - Madness Frontman's Solo Career Yields Ska-Pop Classics

While we all wait patiently for the new Madness album "The Liberty of Norton Folgate" to be released I thought I would take a trip back in time to when Suggs embarked on a solo recording career. His album "The Lone Ranger" was released in 1995 during a high point for ska in both the US and the UK.

After Madness reunited for Madstock in 1992 and 1994, Suggs went to work on his first solo album with the production help of acclaimed reggae producers Sly and Robbie. In 1995 The Lone Ranger was released and peaked on the U.K album charts at #14. The first single to be released was a cover of The Beatles song "I'm Only Sleeping"made into the U.K top ten at #8. The video for which featured appearances from fellow Madness bandmates Mike Barson and Chas Smash. This was followed by Camden Town, a homage to his favorite part of London reaching #14 in the U.K. In 1996 the third single from the album, a version of the Simon and Garfunkel classic Cecilia became his most successful, entering the U.K charts at #4 and selling in excess of 500,000 copies. The final single released was No More Alcohol charting at #24.

Here is the promo video for Sugg's ska pop cover of The Beatles "I'm Only Sleeping"

Here is the promo video for "Off On Holiday

Album Tracklist:

I’m Only Sleeping

Camden Town

Alcohol

4 AM

The Tune

Cecilia

Haunted

Off On Holiday

Green Eyes

Fortune Fish

She’s Gone

Suggs - The Lone Ranger