Showing posts with label Adrian Sherwood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adrian Sherwood. Show all posts

Thursday, November 9, 2023

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review: Creation Rebel - Hostile Environment (On-U Sound)

 

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:

Creation Rebel - Hostile Environment 

(2023 On-U Sound Records)

Selecta J-Cut




Back with their first album in over forty years, On-U Sound's original house band, Creation Rebel is back with a vengeance. 

With an album titled after former Prime Minister Theresa May's heavy-handed immigration policy, the band who originally formed to back the late Prince Far I on his European tour and went on, along with with Adrian Sherwood, to spark a punky reggae revolution in the U.K. with the developement of On-U Sound, is dread in every sense. Serious music for serious times.

Original members Crucial Tony (guitar), Charlie 'Eskimo' Fox (drums / vocals), and Mr. Magoo (percussion / vocals) come together (Keith 'Lizard' Logan, their original bassist has passed but is present in tribute, a print of his image adorns the insert) with bass player, Kenton 'Fish' Brown and keyboardist Cyrus Richards for the album. Of course, Sherwood is at the controls!





It was pressed on yellow vinyl and the A side is set off by Swiftly (The Right One) which, fittingly, features vintage vocals from Prince Far I as well as the conscious singing of Mr. Magoo. Production is crisp and the players are tight.

Stonebridge Warrior is a version, or instrumental, it's steppers type beat drives the track that treads the line between dub reggae and jazz. Quite sophisticated when juxtaposed with the groups early work.

Drummer, Eskimo Fox steps up to the mic for Under Pressure, singing, deejaying and generally nicing up the tune.




That's More Like It is a dub, the instrumentation is spacious, leaving plenty of room for Sherwood's mix-board wizardry and sound effects. The spaced-out psychedelia present in earlier work from the group, like Starship Africa, is captured on this track.

Jubilee Clock rounds out the first side on a strong note, another steppers type track with peaking bass, play it loud!




This Thinking Feeling sets off side B with pure fire, pairing posthumous Prince Far I lyrics with lyrical assassin, Daddy Freddy, who has collaborated on a few On-U releases, of late.

Another Mr. Magoo vocal track, Whatever It Takes is an uplifting one accentuated by Dean Fraser's saxaphone and trumpet by Okiel McIntyre.

The jazz infused Salutation Gardens Crown Hill Road is a dub with haunting keys and space age reverb and delay that the label has become known for.

Gaudi is the guest synth player for The People's Sound (Tribute To Daddy Vego), another heavy dub version with all of it's players in top form.

The final cut is Off The Spectrum,  ending the LP in a fine style. From the tip-top to the last drop, this one is a winner.

Here's an interview from On-U Sound with the group discussing the new album.




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CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review: African Head Charge - TripTo Bolgatanga (On-U Sound)

 

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:

African Head Charge - Trip To Bolgatanga 

(2023 On-U Sound Records)

Selecta J-Cut


African Head Charge - Trip To Bolgatanga (2023 On-U Sound Records)



The first studio album from the group since 2011's Voodoo Of The Godsent (On-U Sound Records),  Trip To Bolgatanga finds Bonjo Iyahbinghi Noah, the central figure of African Head Charge since it’s formation in 1981, further expanding the boundaries of ambient, psychedelic dub with African rhythms.

This time around, tempos are up. Not that the group ever confined itself to down tempo rhythms before, quite the contrary, as would become evident with one listen to My Life In A Hole In The Ground, their debut LP that was released by On-U Sound in 1981. The group has had a following amongst garage / house music aficionados for decades, and on this release, a very modern, electronic sound is embraced. Simultaneously, the roots elements of African drums and chants are not left behind, and the popularity of Afro-Beat is fully taken advantage of with the inclusion of African singers & players of instruments, like King Ayisoba, Ghanaian vocalist and kologo (traditional two-stringed guitar like instrument) player on two tracks.  

A Bad Attitude is the first tune and features King Ayisoba as well as vocal snippets from Noah, a P.M.A. P.S.A. done the On-U Sound A.H.C. way. This one sets the energy for the album and would surely get the dance floor jumping.




Accra Electronica is another uptempo cut with a familiar bass line and clarinet by Paul Booth. It's a high energy club banger with intense percussion.

The following track, Push Me Pull You brings the BPM down to a more expected dub tempo. The mystical sounding chants that A.H.C. are known for with gliding sub bass, and more horn contributions from Booth that sound organic in contrast. The smashing snares echo like noise from another dimension. This one will be massive played on a proper sound system.





I Chant Too has what reminds me of an The Art Of Noise vibe and is another slower tune that showcases Noah's drumming skills.

Asalatua kicks the tempo back up to a house groove and features additional percussion by Emmanuel Okine (Aka Iu) and Mensah Akaa. The call and response type of chant is captivating. 





Side B starts with Passing Clouds, a rather ethereal one which features an arrangement from Ital Horns (David Fullwood & Richard Doswell). Akanuoe Angela from Bolgatanga guests on percussion and backing vocals.

I'm A Winner is another positive reinforcement in the form of an interlude with a bit of a dancehall vibe with wicked synths. 

The title track is  A Trip To Bolgatanga, a hypnotic groove with percussive triplets that give it a clunky feel which Doug Wimbish's bass rides along fluidly. Paul Booth's fantastic horn arrangement eases the tune out at the end.

Never Regret A Day is another track with positive affirmations chanted over a bouncy track with a funky flute.

The final tune on the album is Microdosing, which further excavates into and creates the vision of a psychedelic Africa pursued by Noah and company for many years, now.




As anyone who follows CULTCHA Clash Outer National knows, we are proponents and advocators for anything On-U Sound related or Adrian Sherwood produced, this one is no exception other than the fact that On-U records are always exceptional, to me. Buy it!  

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Sunday, October 9, 2022

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review: Horace Andy - Midnight Scorchers (2022 On-U Sound)

 

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:

Horace Andy - Midnight Scorchers

(2022 On-U Sound)




This is the companion album of Andy's Midnight Rocker LP, which came out earlier this year on On-U Sound. It's not a strictly dub project, although there are, undoubtably, elements of it encountered throughout. 

It was expected that there would be a remix version of Midnight Rocker, similar to the way that Lee "Scratch" Perry's masterpieces, Rainford and Heavy Rain, were released by the same label in 2019. The twist with On-U Sound versions is that you come to expect the unexpected...




The tunes from Midnight Rocker are reworked impeccably by Adrian Sherwood and company. Beginning with "Come After Midnight," a dubbed out version of "Try Love" that leads into "Midnight Scorcher," a retake on "Safe From Harm" featuring toasting from Daddy Freddy.

Sherwood flexes his dubbing abilities on "Away With The Gun And Knife," stripping "Watch Over Them" to it's core, slathering the drum and bass with otherworldly effects. 

"Easy Money" is treated with Daddy Freddy's conscious lyricism for "Dirty Money Business," and "Rock To Sleep" is brought back as "Sleepy's Night Cap" with soothing cello work performed by Ivan "Celloman" Hussey that compliments Gaudi's melodic contributions.





"Feverish" is one for the sound clashes, an On-U Sound dub plate, you might say. Strictly for the hardcore!



"Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City" rides a bubbling dancehall riddim that accentuates the work of The Mighty Ital Horns, who contribute to several tracks on the LP.




Veteran deejay Lone Ranger makes an appearance on "Dub Guidance," a reworking of The Heptones classic, "Guiding Star."

"Mr. Bassie," an alteration of Andy's old-school hit, "Skylarking," is remixed with chatting by Daddy Freddy.




The brilliant album closes out with "Hell And Back," the version of "This Must Be Hell." The rhythm, derived from Take Five, has an ethereal feel to it, with melodica by Cyrus Richard.

This is one that shouldn't be missed. On-U Sound fans already know.





Infinite Felines is CULTCHA Clash Outer National's Animal Activism Project, we care for over 40 feral and domestic cats at our home, we'll be sharing our activities on our new blog, check it out!


https://infinitefelines.blogspot.com/


https://gofund.me/7d787879


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Saturday, July 23, 2022

CULTCHA Clash Outer National 2022 Mid Year Vinyl Round-Up

 CULTCHA Clash Outer National 

2022 Mid-Year Vinyl Round-Up

Written by Selecta J-Cut







Once again, in usual C.C.O.N. fashion, I'm a little late on a few of these titles. However, some of the vinyl pressings are also late, relative to the release dates.

G36 vs JK Flesh - Disintegration Dubs (Pressure)



To begin with, Disintegration Dubs, the full album release split between JK Flesh and G36, which was released digitally on Pressure last year. The wax is out now, mine just arrived the other day. 

The double record set comes superbly packaged with artwork on the inner sleeves, as well as track listing and credits that clarify some of the mystery behind G36, who had previously been described as a Japanese Anarchist collective. Kevin Martin (The Bug), come to find out, is 1/2 of G36 and is credited with the first track on each side. 

Martin's contributions here, such as "Wrong Place, Wrong Time" and "Body Crusher" are synth heavy, evolved steppers tracks, which may invoke images of marching stormtroopers or mass destruction, depending upon the listener.

The second track on each side is credited to G36's Gorgonn, who's "Sulfer" sounds like a slow motion dancehall riddim with flanged claps propelling the sound. "Ghengis" is percussive, reminiscent of 23 Skidoo's more ambient work, to me.

JK Flesh is credited with the third song on each side and he brings more of the hypnotic groove to the album. Atmospheric, industrial soundscapes, are the vibe... some not too dissimilar to something from Cabaret Voltaire's Johnny Yesno soundtrack, not to say that there is anything at all "retro" about this work.

Recorded in Berlin, where G36 is now based, the minimalist techno element is ever present in all of Disintegration Dubs. However, this bass-bin rocker is also heavily infused with abstract dub elements that make it not only club friendly but a captivating listen, beginning to end. Released on Pressure, The Bug's label, and available from Bleep or Bandcamp... this one comes highly recommended.

 

Various Artists - Pay It All Back Vol. 8 (On-U Sound)




Pay It All Back Vol. 8 is the latest in the long-running series of samplers which spotlight On-U Sound's current crop of artists and projects. 

Set off with "You'll Own Nothing" by Mad 45 - an American toaster who has obviously been influenced by the likes of On-U veterans Gary Clail and Andy Fairley - with an ominous forecast for late-stage capitalism over a sparse dub-step-ish track.




"Many Names Of God" is a metaphysical journey across the universe with Lee "Scratch" Perry featuring LSK. The chorus comes off a bit like one of those "Coexist" bumper stickers, jetting across the universe on a supernova. Rhythmically, this one moves - the energy reminds me of a previous P.I.A.B. entry, "What A Wonderful Day" by African Head Charge.

The mighty Tackhead return with two contributions, "Rulers & Foolers" and "I Don't Wanna Work A Fake Job" (this one particularly speaks to me!) - heavy alternative-electro-funk jams with Mad 45's slightly white and nerdy rapping style reminiscent of Bay Area leftists, Consolidated. 

African Head Charge return with the tribal, club energy of "Asalatua" and Creation Rebel appear with an awesome new tune, "Stonebridge Warrior." 

Horace Andy's "Watch Over Them," from his Midnight Rocker LP, is here, as well as "This Road" from Denise Sherwood's album by the same title.

Jeb Loy Nichols brings his Country-Reggae style with "What Does A Man Do All Day?" There are two previously unreleased Andy Fairley tunes that do not disappoint, "Your Best Tune" and "Deranged Man." LSK makes an appearance with "Money Masters," a fine display of his smooth, conscious lyrical flow. The Ital Horns cut, "Metropolis" is a fairly conventional instrumental cut (with subtle vocal samples) that sounds fresh and vibrant.

Sherwood & Pinch contribute two tracks, the comical "Excessive Drinking" and the hardcore, "We No Normal" with vocals from Daddy Freddy.




As the series has been for nearly forty years, P.I.A.B. 8 is a excellent example of the variety of artists and groups that record under On-U Sound for the great producer, Adrian Sherwood.


Various Artists - Dub No Frontiers (On-U Sound / Real World Records)


Various Artists - Dub No Frontiers (2022 On-U Sound / Real World Records)

The long-awaited compilation, Dub No Frontiers, that features non-English language, female vocalists performing on Reggae / Dub rhythms, produced by Adrian Sherwood, is finally almost here!  

It's been many years in the making, I've looked forward to it's release with much anticipation, release date is September 30 and it's available at Bandcamp.

Check out the video for Rita Morar "Meri Awaaz Suno (Hear My Voice)" here.





Horace Andy - Midnight Scorchers (On-U Sound)


Horace Andy - Midnight Scorchers (On-U Sound)

The follow up to Horace Andy's On-U Sound debut, Midnight Rocker, is due for release on September 16 and it will be called Midnight Scorchers. Pre-order it now at Bandcamp or Bleep.

Check out the video for his latest dub-plate, here.



Well, that wraps up the round-up, until next time, Peace.

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Saturday, April 23, 2022

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review: Horace Andy - Midnight Rocker (2022 On-U Sound)

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:

Horace Andy - Midnight Rocker

(2022 On-U Sound)


Horace Andy - Midnight Rocker (2022 On-U Sound)


This is the latest, of several recent, major releases from On-U Sound, the legendary Jamaican vocalist makes his LP debut for the label and for producer, Adrian Sherwood. The result, a spectacular collection of new and recreated tunes that bring the unique voice from reggae hits at Studio One, Bunny "Striker" Lee's and highly acclaimed  collaborative efforts with Massive Attack, into the 21st Century and beyond. 





I've been a fan of Sherwood's production since I was a teen, On-U Sound being my first exposure to Reggae legends like Lee "Scratch" Perry, Prince Far I, Mikey Dread and Bim Sherman, as well as effectively acting as a gateway into dub (concurrently with a few of the ROIR tapes that came out at the time). On-U releases constitute a substantial amount of the material covered by CULTCHA Clash Outer-National, but as of late, his production has been particularly impeccable. 

The dedication to the craft, precision of detail in sound and skill level of the musicians involved is evident with 2019's Heavy Rain, from Lee "Scratch" Perry (his first album to reach #1 on Billboard's Reggae Album Sales Chart). The same is true of this one, every track is top quality.




 

Set off by an update of Horace's 1979 Tapper Zukie produced "This Must Be Hell," the original of which rode on a version of the Take Five riddim,  Sherwood's sparse adaptation acts as a perfect platform for Andy's silky smooth delivery of lyrics which are as relevant today as the day that they were written.

"Easy Money" evokes the sentiment of Andy's mid-seventies hit, "Money, Money," on which he declared it to be the "root of all evil." This time advising the listener as to the dangers of preoccupation with material gain, the refrain, "Fading just like yesterday" sends the message home. As an added bonus, the melodica on this track is from long-time On-U collaborator Doctor Pablo.



"Safe From Harm" is reworked here, not straying too far from the format of Massive Attack's version. The instrumentation is crisp and orchestrated with great sophistication, complimenting the fresh vocal delivery.







A vintage On-U Sound rhythm, previously used for Dub Syndicate's "Overloader" and "Hands And Hearts" by Congo Ashanti Roy, is resurrected for "Watch Over Them," a righteous tune which was co-written by Daniele Gaudi.

Gaudi's crucial contributions to the LP are noticeable on nearly every tune in the form of a vast variety of keys, as well as backing vocals on the socially / class conscious "Materialist," which Andy originally sang for Niney The Observer in 1977.

Andy engages in wise introspection with "Today Is Right Here," and "Try Love" is moving, gliding on the late George Oban's bass-line.

Next is a reworking of the 1976 single, "Rock To Sleep," a taste of smooth Lovers Rock with subtle string work from Ivan "Celloman" Hussey.

"Careful" finds Andy, once again, imparting proverbial knowledge to the young generation over an affected rhythm track.





The final cut, "Mr. Bassie," was featured on the compilation, Pay It All Back 7. A musical reworking of Andy's hit, "Skylarking," closes the album on a strong note.

All around an incredible work. I had hoped to hear an autobiographical tune as Sherwood has evoked from other greats like Perry, Prince Far I and Mikey Dread... perhaps on a future 10" Disco-Plate? A little wishful thinking can't hurt.

A final note, while on the topic of On-U Sound, the latest compilation, Pay It All Back Volume 8, is available for pre-order at the following link:



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Friday, May 7, 2021

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review: Gaudi - 100 Years of Theremin (The Dub Chapter) (2020 Dubmission Records)

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:

Gaudi - 100 Years of Theremin (The Dub Chapter)

(released August 2020, Dubmission Records)

 

Gaudi - 100 Years of Theremin (The Dub Chapter) (2020 Dubmission Records)


Available on LP as well as CD and Digitally

This one actually dropped last year and is currently on it's fourth pressing, but I just recently acquired it and believe that it 's better to share late than not at all.

As tribute to the instrument that was invented by Leon Theremin in 1920, the eclectic U.K. based (born in Italy) producer and artist, Gaudi has assembled an A-list line up of producers and players and recorded this amazing LP.


There's not a weak link on the album, so a few of my favorites are the Adrian Sherwood co-produced "Butterfly Dub."



Another choice selection is "Cinematic Dub," with Mad Professor assisting on the mix board.


"Dub's Nine Lives" is another with Sherwood that stands out, but with collaborators like Dennis Bovell, Prince Fatty and Jamaica's technical wizard, Scientist, every track is outstanding.



The Limited Edition 7" single featuring "Theremin In Hand" (a reworking of Lee Perry's "Bird In Hand") and "Theremin Memoir" is also available at https://gaudimusic.bandcamp.com/album/single-gaudi-theremin-in-hand


For more information, check out https://www.gaudimusic.com/





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