CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:
Easy Star All-Stars - Ziggy Stardub
(2023 Easy Star Records)
Selecta J-Cut
This marks my return to the world of writing after a brief hiatus starting last winter. In the usual fashion of C.C.O.N., this one is late (release date was April 21, 2023), but I felt it necessary to cover this one as it pays homage to an album that has been massively influential to me, as well as countless artists and listeners, alike.
Easy Star All-Stars have a reputation for their clever Reggae re-workings of iconic pop, rock and soul albums that have included renditions of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon (2003's Dub Side of the Moon), Michael Jackson's Thriller (2012's Easy Star's Thrilla) and The Beatles' Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (2009's Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band).
Covering entire albums in an alternate genre certainly has its inherent novelty value, but there is nothing gimmicky about their dub, dancehall or drum 'n' bass interpretations of these classics.
The song sequence is the same as on the 1972 original on this one. The opening track, "Five Years" finds one of British Reggae's biggest names, Steel Pulse, joining the crew to reconstruct the Brixton born Bowie's apocalyptic ballad in a rub a dub style.
It is followed by "Soul Love" featuring Mortimer. The tunes, so far into the album, don't stray too far from the original versions in lyrical content or song structure, with perhaps a little bit more boom in the low end. Other than the genre difference, these few don't deviate much from those of The Spiders From Mars.
Naomi Cowan offers a fresh voice to "Moonage Daydream" which rides upon the well known dancehall riddim, Cuss Cuss.
Another British Reggae act, Maxi Priest, contribute to this funky reanimation of "Star Man" which is sure to get a dance floor packed.
"It Ain't Easy" features Samory I covering vocal duties over a steppers rhythm with blazing horns, closing out side one of the LP.
Side two is set off by "Lady Stardust," featuring Sundub (whose Spirits Eat Music was released by Easy Star Records earlier this year), which is reworked into a lovers rock sizzler.
Roots reggae veteran, Carlton Livingston, adds his vocals to the skanking version of "Star."
California's ska-punk legends, Fishbone, and JohnnyGo Figure transform "Hang On To Yourself" into a dancehall rock hybrid, incorporating the timeless riddim, Sleng Teng. That particular riddim was built around a pre-programmed Casio keyboard part, the story is that the programmer based the program off of a popular rock song... which was alleged to be "Hang On To Yourself" (some also thought it was "Anarchy In The U.K." by The Sex Pistols)... according to an interview with the programmer, neither of those are actually the inspiration for the beat, although the similarities are uncanny. Anyway, not sure if that was intentional on the part of the All-Stars, but I bet that it was. This is my top choice selection off of the album, would love to have a 7" pressing of it!
From east London, The Skints get in on the action, combining the Answer riddim to "Ziggy Stardust," serving great justice to the original title track.
Southern California's The Expanders join the gang for an energetic take of "Suffragette City" in a reggae rockers style.
The final cut is "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide," on which Macy Gray was enlisted for vocal duties. She's a surprise, recognizable guest that fits perfectly into those platform boots. Like most of the tracks on the album, this one doesn't depart much from the original tune but is a fresh take on an old favorite. It's powerful crescendo signals the end to this nostalgic and magical tale.
As a whole, if this one lacks in originality, then it makes up for it with quality of musicianship and adventurousness. It has extra sentimental value to me due to the impact that Ziggy Stardust, and most of Bowie's material from the seventies, had upon my young mind. It was the early eighties that these albums came to my attention (often found in discount bins or low-cost second hand racks at that time) and set me on a path that would lead me in multiple musical directions and eventually back... it seems like I'm not the only one.
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| Jon "Selecta J-Cut" Soldanels aka "Johnny Rebel" (photo from circa 1984) |
