The funky upbeat rhythms and the expressive plucking guitar riffs are abundant throughout this vivacious EP, 6 songs with no vocals but furnished with a real vintage guitar sound that is very soulful and melodic, and more than makes up for the lack of vocals.
Overall the warm and genuine Jamaican ska sound is so enjoyable, as the recordings have a real warm live sound, sometimes studio recordings can be too clinical and sterile but 'Moisty and the Wheeler-Dealers' have somehow managed to capture a vibrant and raw feel, which is even more surprising given that the backing parts were recorded in Moscow and the lead guitar in Auckland!
Each track has a cool and constant tempo that provides a steady driving rhythm for Moisty’s vibrant guitar work. The warm organ and bass play their bright upbeat pulses in meticulous time to the tempered drums and percussion, that make you want to dance.
Each track keeps to its honest and ordered structure but the full and rhythmic sound is more than satisfying, in fact you will be smiling and bopping along to its infectious rhythm and vibe within 2 beats.
Atsushi Ukito, aka "Moisty Atsushi" emigrated to New Zealand in 1999 from Japan. That year he joined Auckland ska band Risto Rockers as guitarist and songwriter. Later that year he joined local ska/punk band Skivvy, on trumpet and back-up vocals. Atsushi toured New Zealand with both bands, as well as playing countless local gigs. In 1999 the Risto Rockers also played as support for American pop/ska/punk band Less Than Jake. In 2001 Skivvy released their debut EP While Stock Lasts, with Puppy Killer Records releasing the compilation The Pick of the Litter (featuring the Risto Rockers) later that year. Meanwhile Atsushi continued to write and record his own tunes.
With a near-obsessive passion for 1960s Jamaican ska and rocksteady music, Atsushi started a solo project in 2003, evolving it by 2007 into popular Auckland ska/reggae band Atsushi and The Moisties. Under his leadership, the band looked to recreate the sound of early Jamaican ska, releasing their Sound of the Ska EP in 2008, and sold-out vinyl 7" Kingsland the Great in 2010. Atsushi and The Moisties have performed at countless shows and festivals around the country, alongside both local and international acts. As part of his high-energy stage act with The Moisties, Atsushi dons animal costumes on-stage, a unique performance aspect the band is renowned for.
During 2010 and 2011 Atsushi has promoted events for, toured with, and performed alongside Chris Murray (USA), DJ Mossman (Canada - Musical Director of Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae), and Stranger Cole (Jamaica). Travelling to South America last year, he performed with several Moisties members in Brazil, and recorded with Daniel from Satellite Kingston (based in Buenos Aires, Argentina). He has also recently toured as Auckland-based artist Miho Wada's lead guitarist and helped coordinate her 2010 World Tour. While touring France in 2010 he recorded In Bed during the Riot: Live in France with Miho Wada.