“A terrific rocksteady treatment by The New Limits”
– Duff Guide to Ska
Classic Soul Song Reimagined as Rocksteady/Dubbed by Boston Ska Band
In celebration of the holiday season, Boston-based ska, rocksteady, and soul band The New Limits have revisited their cover of William Bell’s classic soul track “Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday.” First recorded in 2017, the band utilized their core 4-piece rock band lineup to make a streamlined, groove-heavy track with a triumphant ending worthy of the celebration of the holiday season. With a new lead vocalist and a revitalized horn section, the band saw the opportunity to record the track again, showcasing the band’s bigger sound.
The new vocal and horn parts, recorded at The Record Co in Boston by the band’s own Miles “Baze” Blackwood Robinson, help give the new “Extra Cheer” version of the track a renewed energy distinct from the 2017 recording. In addition to both versions of “Everyday”, the three-track EP is rounded out by a dub of the 2017 version of the track engineered by Jayson “Agent Jay” Nugent (The Slackers, Crazy Baldhead) at Stabby Road Studio.
In 2017, The New Limits knew they wanted to get back into the recording studio following the production and release of their self-titled debut album earlier that year. The hard part, however, was picking a season-appropriate cover the band could agree on. Understanding that the majority of holiday classics are either corny or dated (who roasts chestnuts over open fires, especially in Allston?), the band chose to look back at potential covers from the soul artists that continue to have an influence on the band’s sound.
“Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday” was originally released as a single by William Bell in 1967 on the legendary Stax Records, home to famed performers like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. Written by Bell and Booker T. Jones (of Booker T. and The MG’s fame), the song has seen a few cover versions throughout the years by acts like Carol King and Hall & Oates, however, it’s not seen nearly as many as other well-known holiday standards. The New Limits hope to add to that legacy, employing traditional Jamaican rhythms to create a unique take on the song.