This is David Hillyard's "other" band, if you want to consider the Slackers his primary focus. In truth, he serves as the nexus of New York City ska/reggae/rocksteady/etc. He's appeared on albums and played with countless bands over the years. Hillyard started this band with percussionist Larry McDonald around the same time that the Slackers formed, and his sax work features prominently in both. Plenty of musicians have shuffled through both bands, though currently only Hillyard and guitarist Jayson (or "Jay" or "Agent Jay") Nugent are doing double duty.

David Hillyard & the Rocksteady 7 Plague Doctor (Org Music)

There are differences. The Rocksteady 7 doesn't do vocals very often and tacks much more closely to a jazz axis. But the good times vibe carries over with both bands, and Hillyard's sax is unmistakable--and unmistakably satisfying.

The first Rocksteady 7 album, Playtime, was one of the first albums I reviewed to get the reissue treatment decades later. Sure, that made me feel slightly old, but it's also nice to be right once in a blue moon. The quality of the writing and playing on Rocksteady 7 albums is sky high. And there is something about the beat that puts people at ease.

But Hillyard and mates don't stand still. There's a lovely bossa nova (complete with vocals in Portuguese) and nods to other Caribbean rhythms as well. That everything moves together so smoothly is a testament to McDonald's management of the bottom line. Once again, Hillyard and company come through with a glorious winner. In case you missed it, summer has officially arrived.

Jon Worley