CULTCHA Clash Outer National: January 2020

Vinyl Encounters Of The... Rewind and Selecta J-Cut present...

CULTCHA Clash Outer National's

Top 10(ish) LP's of 2019

Haven't gotten around to very many album reviews over the last few months so I thought I'd put together a "best of 2019" list to include some of those that weren't covered.

(In no particular order.)

Lee "Scratch" Perry - Heavy Rain (On-U Sound)

Lee "Scratch" Perry - Rainford (On-U Sound)

Lee "Scratch" Perry - Rainford / Heavy Rain (On-U Sound)

I'm putting these two together because they are a pair, Heavy Rain being the dub version of Rainford, which was released earlier this year. Both albums have been widely acclaimed and Heavy Rain earned Perry his first #1 Billboard spot!

Swans - Leaving Meaning (Young God Records / Mute)

Swans - Leaving Meaning (Young God Records / Mute)

Michael Gira returns with another incarnation of Swans, this time bringing in a host of collaborators and the intensity that the band is known for.

Saul Williams - Encrypted & Vulnerable (Pirates Blend)

Saul Williams - Encrypted & Vulnerable (Pirates Blend)

This is the second LP of the "graphic novel and sci-fi cinema" trilogy that started with 2016's Fader Label release, Marty Loser King, by poet and musician, Saul Williams.

The conceptualized project tells the story of hacker, Neptune Frost.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Ghosteen (Ghosteen, Ltd.)

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Ghosteen (Ghosteen, Ltd.)

The latest effort finds the wordsmith crooning over organic and electronic soundscapes.

Pay It All Back Volume 7 (On-U Sound)

Various Artists - Pay It All Back Volume 7 (On-U Sound)

Anyone who knows me is aware that I'm an avid On-U Sound enthusiast, check out this compilation for a sample of upcoming releases from the label, and producer Adrian Sherwood. This one features tunes from Horace Andy, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Congo Natty and much more.
"Disturbing the comfortable, comforting the disturbed."

Meat Beat Manifesto - Opaque Couche (Flexidisc)

Meat Beat Manifesto - Opaque Couché (Flexidisc)

Producer and musician Jack Dangers has been at it for well over 30 years now and his latest LP is an excellent example of his unique talents.

Solypsis - Hybrids (Component Records)

Solypsis - Hybrids (Component Records)

This is a compilation of James Miller aka Solypsis tracks remixed by the likes of Meat Beat Manifesto, Justin K. Broadrick and cEvin Key. They're released for the first time on vinyl with this release.

Black Moon - Rise Of Da Moon (Duck Down)

Black Moon - Rise Of Da Moon (Duck Down)

When it comes to real, gritty, hardcore, underground Hip-Hop, few are more respected than Brooklyn's Boot Camp Clik, led by Black Moon aka 5 Ft. Accelerator, Buckshot Shorty and DJ Evil D (providing actual cuts, something few and far between in modern rap music). The crew is back with a new album that will not disappoint.

Dub Trio - The Shape Of Dub To Come (New Damage Records)

Dub Trio - The Shape Of Dub To Come (New Damage Records)

The latest album from this NYC band further pushes boundaries with their unique blend of avant-garde dub and alternative metal.

Zonal - Wrecked (Relapse Records)

Zonal - Wrecked (Relapse Records)

This collaboration between Justin Broadrick (Godflesh / JK Flesh) and Kevin Martin (The Bug / King Midas Sound) comes as a double-vinyl set with vocals by Moor Mother on 6 of the 12 tunes. Also worthy of mention is Sirens from Kevin Richard Martin, who has been quite prolific lately with more releases on the Pressure label and a new King Midas Sound LP, Solitude.