Friday, December 31, 2021

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review: Nun Gun - Stealth Empire In Dub (Self Released) & The Pop Group - Y In Dub (Mute)

 

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:

Nun Gun - Stealth Empire In Dub

(Self Released 2021)

&

The Pop Group - Y In Dub

(Mute 2021)

Reviewed by Jon "Selecta J-Cut" Soldanels


These two releases aren't brand new, Nun Gun was released in April of this year, but, due to the vinyl production back-up, the record did no arrive until November. The Pop Group officially came out on October 29, but the vinyl will not be issued until Spring of 2022. Due to my own time restraints and procrastination, I'm afraid that I can't get too in depth on these, However, I wanted to make sure to mention them before the years end.

Both of these releases involve vocalist Mark Stewart, who was the subject of a recent CULTCHA Clash Outer National's Vinyl Encounters Of The Rewind.


Nun Gun - Stealth Empire In Dub (2021 Self Released)

Stealth Empire In Dub is the accompanying release to Mondo Decay (Witty Books), which came out on cassette in February of this year. The song, "Stealth Empire" features Mark Stewart providing vocal stylings for the Atlanta, GA based experimental group, Nun Gun, comprised of 2 members of Algiers and visual artist, Brad Feuerhelm. The several mixes include a dub by Adrian Sherwood.


Nun Gun "Stealth Empire (featuring Mark Stewart)"

The Pop Group - Y In Dub (2021 Mute)

Over 40 years after the original release of the Post-Punk masterpiece, Y, the band revamped the classic with a live performance as well as a brand new LP of its dub-reconstruction, sonically manipulated by Dennis Bovell, the U.K.'s reggae producer who had mixed the original version.

A crucial, early post-punk release and an outright sonic assault unlike anything heard before or since, In Dub maintains the fierceness of the original and allows Bovell an opportunity to further display his production expertise. The result, a fresh, new companion to Y in the tradition of great Reggae / Dancehall LPs, stripped down to the raw elements of drum and bass for their dub version.


The Pop Group "Words Disobey Me (Dennis Bovell Dub)"


This one is a must-have for old and new fans, alike!


Mark Stewart VS Lee 'Scratch' Perry VS Peter Harris - Alpha (Adrian Sherwood Mix)

Here is a last minute addition and a release that I would be remiss not to mention. Mark teamed up with visual / recording artist Peter Harris and Lee "Scratch" Perry for "Alpha (Adrian Sherwood Mix)" for eMergency heArts, which is a fundraiser to benefit Jamaica's prestigious Alpha Institute.

The collaboration features Fritz Catlin of 23 Skidoo, with production by Xqui, mixed by Adrian Sherwood and mastered by Mark Pistel of Consolidated.


Mark Stewart VS Lee "Scratch" Perry VS Peter Harris - Alpha (eMergency heArts)

This one will be featured on the soon coming compilation of Stewart's collaborative efforts, VS.  Guests include members of Cabaret Voltaire, Front 242, Minutemen and more. Coming March 2022 through eMergency heArts.



Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review: New Age Doom ft. Lee "Scratch" Perry - Lee "Scratch" Perry's Guide To The Universe (We Are Busy Bodies)

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:

New Age Doom & Lee "Scratch" Perry - Lee "Scratch" Perry's Guide To The Universe

(We Are Busy Bodies - WABB 099, 2021)

Reviewed by Jon "Selecta J-Cut" Soldanels


New Age Doom & Lee "Scratch" Perry - Lee "Scratch" Perry's Guide To The Universe (We Are Busy Bodies)

 
Described as Perry's first "Drone Jazz" album, this was probably one of the last projects of his time of physical existence. The repeated message throughout this project is "Life is an experiment." 

The legendary, iconic and anomalous artist never shied from experimentation in his seven decades of creating songs, albums, artists, labels and even genres... virtually every type of modern music owes some credit to the Upsetter's innovations to Reggae production, Dub in particular. 

New Age Doom are an experimental / drone project from Vancouver, B.C. whose previous offerings include 2020's Himalayan Dream Techno. They captured Perry's vocals for this LP at his home in Switzerland in 2020. The group's two core members, drummer / producer Eric J. Breitenbach, and multi-instrumentalist / producer Greg Valou are joined by Daniel Rosenboom on trumpet, Donny McCaslin on sax, Ryan Dahle and Tim Lefebvre on bass and synths, Dahm Majuri Cipolla on drums, synths by Cola Wars and The Passenger, and a Lady Nigel Butterfly providing whispers. 


"Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Guide To The Universe"

"Be faithful. Be pure. Be clean. And listen to your dreams. Listen to your dreams!" the highly conceptualized album acts as a vehicle for the mystic to channel, despite the cryptic nature of much of his past lyrical content, this one is is pretty straight-forward.  


"Step In Space"

Musically, a prevalent stark, spacey, ambiance compliments the lyrical obeah. Slow-motion, minimalist rhythms lurk about amidst hypnotic vibrations with sparse elements of brass and percussion creating an intriguing endeavor, through and through. The songs are movements of one cohesive piece that give us the sense that 'Scratch' still has something to share with the world and not even death can hold back the message.


"Holy Dub"


Released in November of 2021, the third pressing (1,000) of the vinyl release, by the label We Are Busy Bodies, is sold out, but is available digitally here: https://wearebusybodies.bandcamp.com/album/new-age-doom-lee-scratch-perry-lee-scratch-perrys-guide-to-the-universe

On a related note, check out Alpha (Adrian Sherwood Mix), the new single from Mark Stewart VS Lee "Scratch" Perry VS Peter Harris, on eMergency heArt. 



If you have enjoyed this piece, please sign up for the mailing list at CULTCHA Clash Outer National for updates and current features.




 

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)