Community Unity Love Truth Compelling Humanity's Abidance
CULTCHA Clash Outer National: Global-Community-Radio Broadcasting, Online Marketplace, Digital Zine & Subversive Propagandist Organization.
Combatting the mundanity and commodification of human existence with Art, Music, Comedy, Social-Criticism and the Promotion of Alternatives to Corporate Culture.
This is a digital only release. I've often neglected non-vinyl releases, in the past; however, there is an environmental cost to record production, as much a we'd love to see a green alternative to the carbon footprint of pressing plants, we're not there yet... not even to mention the current delays in actually pressing records. So, compromise becomes necessary. I never wanted to be dogmatic, anyway.
I read that Kevin Richard Martin (The Bug) described this as the first, non-dancehall / reggae, one rhythm album. The practice is standard within the genre of Dancehall, evolving from the early days of dub, in which the original "riddim," or backing track, was repurposed, remixed and repressed multiple times, resulting in myriads of songs with the same drum & bass-line. Each tune was customized by the studio wizardry of the producer, as well as with further instrumentation, singing or toasting.
The Bug's sound has evolved over the years with several phases, and unique sounds, influenced by the drum and bass of dub and dancehall, as well as by the D.I.Y. ethos of punk, all the while. (Check out the CULTCHA Clash Outer National Artist Profile: Kevin Richard Martin / The Bug). Some of his more recent work has minimized all of the block-rocking beats of past works, like London Zoo (2008 Ninja Tune), and stripped the sound down to a raw, aggressive and heavy ambience, oxymoronic as that may sound. The result is stunning.
This latest venture is sort of like that. The "trudging through the mud" pace may not be too noticeable when juxtaposed with the energy of some of the guest artists on these tunes.
The late Nazamba, who's life was cut short due to a heart attack earlier this year, sets things off with "Satan." A righteous vocal performance that blurs the line between dub poetry and dancehall, is starkly contrasted by the next track, "Shamed," on which JK Flesh growls and grunts his verses with the rage and furor of a rabid dog.
A few names that were previously unknown to me come with some pretty impressive work, like HTRK, YL Hooi, Fatboi Sharif and Relly.
"Your Laws Aren't Free" features Jaimie Branch, American composer and musician who passed away last month.
Several prior collaborators with Martin are featured, Roger Robinson's "Please, Please" evokes memories of Robinson's London Zoo contribution, "You & Me." The pair (Martin & Robinson) have amazing chemistry as is made evident by their discography as King Midas Sound.
U.K. rudebwoy Logan kills the riddim with "Judgement Time," lyrically double-timing the down-tempo.
Dis Fig, whose In Blue LP (2020 Hyperdub), with Martin, displayed their "Tunnel" style of dub-infused, electronic music, makes an appearance on "Too High."
Experimental Hip-Hoppers, Dälek, come with the hard-core on their tune, "Fractured."
My personal favorite version is "King Of The Cage," on which Mark Stewart's vocal stylings intermingle with the spacious groove.
Wrapped up with the instrumental version, all 17 tracks are well worth a listen.
Back to Martin's point about this being the first album of it's kind*... I'm sure that his well of information is more vast than mine, but, to my knowledge, I would have to agree that this is a first, as well as the most eclectic mix of artists on such an album.
* I was corrected by Bug Man, himself, who remembered that there were two or three one-riddim grime releases that were released prior to Absent - respect due.
Much props to The Bug for always innovating, never imitating, and coming with original concepts with each new release. Check it out!
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!
Fresh for 2022, Mark Stewart is at it again. This time in the form of a digitally released collaborative project with an all-star lineup of guests who are kindred in a free-thinking, status quo challenging aesthetic in art.
EBM commandos, Front 242 guest on the first track, 'Rage Of Angels' which hits as hard as a soup can chucked at a dome. The arpeggiated synths reminiscent of a slow-paced 'I Feel Love' by Donna Summer, the sample used on Mark's track, 'Fatal Attraction.' Stewart's cryptic lyrics delivered with an urgency that is reflective of the state of a world on the edge of destruction.
'The Last Enemy' is produced by West Coast stalwarts Mark Pistel / Consolidated, the heavy, Tackhead-esque beat is doubled up with a drum 'n' bass break to devastating effect.
'Ghost Of Love' is one of the standouts, featuring Eric Random, it's deranged techno sound is infectious, and is the perfect platform for Mark's heavily affected rant.
Previously released on 12" single, 'Outlaw Empire (Adrian Sherwood Dub Mix)' with Nun Gun is an excellent, abstract version on which Mark refers to "The collapse of everything."
KK Null, old-school Japanese noise artist guests on 'New Error,' which is spoken word over sonic terrorism, eventually morphing into a distorted breakbeat and what sounds like digital annihilation... "Fear is the weapon, no sanctuary."
KK Null appears again, this time with Mike Watt (Minutemen) from what is likely to be the most conventional rock song that one will find on the album, 'All My Senses' is its title. Being that Watt has been a known fan of The Pop Group, this is a logical collaboration that feels like the artists really enjoyed recording it. Null's contributions are surprisingly complimentary to the instrumentation and vocals.
More on the sonic terrorism front, Bristol's Ye Gods appears on two tracks, bringing the uncompromising noise to new levels.
The album closes with 'Alpha,' a project with the late, great Lee "Scratch" Perry and visual artist Peter Harris, mixed by Adrian Sherwood. Proceeds from the single's initial release went towards the famous Alpha Boys School in Jamaica, at which many of reggae's original players of instruments were educated. Perry and Stewart wanted to create a song for children with this one, which is evident upon listening, although it's thoroughly enjoyable by all ages.
The CD and Digital release are available at Bandcamp from eMERGENCY heARTS, an Austin, TX based label. There are four Lathe-Cut 7" Picture-discs of songs from the album available in limited quantities, as well. Get 'em while you can!
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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.
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!
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.
This year has really flown by, I haven't been as prolific a writer as I would like to be but it's been an unusual year, so I won't make excuses, but there's no time like the present to catch up. This will be an update for the year so far, including a few releases that I didn't get a chance to review, some new releases and a few upcoming ones, as well as some other CULTCHA Clash Outer National related activities.
Coming from east of the Atlantic, my top selection this year comes from Denise Sherwood, daughter of legendary U.K. producer and dubber-extraordinaire, Adrian Sherwood. Her debut LP, This Road, on Evergreen Recordings and mixed at On-U Sound studio, is here after 17 years in-the-making.
It's well worth the wait. "Music Shall Live" sets the album off on a strong note, the marching snares transform into a drum 'n' bass rhythm accentuated by the cello of Ivan "CelloMan" Hussey and chanting from the mighty upsetter, Lee "Scratch" Perry, asserting that "the music shall echo for all time."
"Let Me In" is the second track, a sultry, soulful, melancholy tune that takes quite a different direction from the first. These songs have some pop appeal but there is nothing typical about them.
The third tune, co-written by Mark Stewart, "Amnesia Moon" is also soulful and thought provoking. As a long time On-U Sound fan and advocate, I feel like this release will push the label to new levels of "mainstream" attention, not that that's what I think the intention is... it's still "comforting to the disturbed," but perhaps more accessible than the more experimental sounds that the label is known for.
"Ghost Heart" is another standout co-written by Mark Stewart. The six-count time signature (drums by Keith LeBlanc) and eerie combination of keyboard (played by Denise) and violin (by Kerieva McCormick) give a haunted vibe. Her range of vocals are really displayed on this one. It was released previously on the On-U Sound compilation, Pay It All Back Volume 7, which was released last year.
Side B starts with "Fairy Tales" on which she reflects on childhood stories as an adult, "still waiting for my happy ending." The child's voice in the intro is reminiscent of Denise's 1991 appearance on the nursery rhyme inspired "Magic Penny" from Gary Clail & On-U Sound Systems' Emotional Hooligan LP.
"Uncertain Times" is a reggae jam, co-written by long-time On-U Sound collaborator, George Oban (who also plays bass on this tune). The drums are by the late Style Scott, and is representative of his Dub Syndicate style.
"Sunny Days" is an uptempo dancehall groove with an uplifting message.
"Won't Bow Down" and "Toughen Up" find her chanting positivity over steppers riddims provided by Carlton "Bubblers" Ogilvie.
The final tune, "Sweet Love," is another with pop-appeal, a dub-step intro with modulated bass builds to an exotic, driving rhythm that begs for an extended mix (On-U Sound 10" Disco Plate, perhaps?).
Overall, this album is enjoyable all of the way through. Nothing groundbreaking, but still unique and a spotlight on Denise's talent as well as a fine example of the quality of music that Adrian Sherwood has been doing for 40 years. I'm hopeful that this one will bring Denise Sherwood and On-U Sound international acclaim.
DAB - David Asher Band "Keep A Little Faith"
DAB - David Asher Band have released the first tune from the upcoming LP (coming New Years Day, 2021), "Keep A Little Faith" is available on ReverbNation, check it out below. This album will be the debut from David's new band, he's been making music since the early 1990s with Detroit reggae / rock band, The Process.
This is the Record Store Day release of two tunes from the latest Buju Banton album, his first release since serving 7 of a 10 year prison sentence in America, Upside Down 2020. I haven't had a chance to listen to the LP but if this single is any indication, Gargamel hasn't lost his edge.
"Trust" is a nice tune on a Dave Kelly riddim, but the B-side wins on this one... "Steppa" finds Buju's conscious, rude-bwoy style at it's tip-top, over a rough and rugged reconstruction of the Shank I Sheck riddim with production assistance from Jermaine "J'August" Reid.
This is an updated mix of the 1990 Wailing Souls tune, featuring Italian dancehall artist, Alborosie. The 7" single is available from VP Recordsand the version on the b-side is fyah!
De La Soul ft. Styles P, Talib Kweli, Pharoah Monch, Mysonne and Chuck D - Remove 45
Not usually the politically overt, De La Soul returns with an anti tRump anthem on which they enlisted a host of ill MCs sending a unified message over a dope beat... 45 has got to go!
Run The Jewels4, the latest Run The Jewels LP on BMG, is strong all of the way through. I've been a fan of El-P since the Company Flow days, however, this has been the first R.T.J. album that I've bought even though I have enjoyed most everything that I've heard from the rhyming duo.
This album is no exception, their style and delivery is complimentary with instrumentation as abstract as vintage Co. Flow and as futuristic as any hip-hop that I've heard.
Australian born, N.Y. based composer, musician, artist J.G.Thirlwell (Scraping Foetus Of The Wheel, Steroid Maximus, Xordox as well as soundtrack work to animated series The Venture Brothers and Archer), has teamed up with with Swedish non-musically trained musician, Simon Steensland, for a prog-rock influenced, cinematic thriller called Oscillospira. The album was released in April as a limited pressing of 1,000 double vinyl, on Ipecac Recordings.
In my eyes, Thirlwell is a musical genius who has covered a lot of ground from his early, electronic, post-punk multi-track concoctions to his more elaborate work that would emerge under a myriad of aliases, collaborative projects and soundtrack work. It may be difficult for me to review this album critically and objectively, but I'll tell you what I think about it.
From the first tune, "Catholic Deceit," there is an obvious King Crimson / prog-rock influence on this release. Set off by oboe, courtesy of Scott Bartucca, the heavy guitar builds, along with precision percussion by Morgan Agren (who plays on the entire album) segueing to a final section, with strings and a subtle serenade from Ellekari Sanderas military snare and stabbing horns push on towards the next tune. This on was written by Thirlwell, as were three more on the album.
The next track is "Heron," written by Steensland. The chunky beat sounds hip-hop-ish and is complimented by the enchanting vocals of Eva Rexed and Sami Stevens.
The compositions are complex without rigidity, they feel loose and natural - some parts reminiscent of watching a marching band, others of drifting into a nightmare. It's, no doubt, one of the strongest releases of the year.
Side A, "Paradise Underground" heeds the listener... "what you consume, consumes you." The electro-funk beat drives this track and provides a platform for the manic rantings of Mr. Stewart.
The b-side, "F.S.D. (Full Spectrum Dominance)" is a lower tempo, dub abstraction which serves as a platform to Mark's enlightened and righteous paranoia.
The label, Rizosfera, is a publishing house, as well. The limited edition (50) vinyl is housed in a 16 page, full color, booklet which further elaborates upon the philosophy of Obsolete Capitalism.
The Bug ft. Rider Shafique - Burn
One of the producers from the past few decades or so who's been responsible for the abstract, dirty, grimy, dub "alternatives" that I most like to spin, Kevin Richard Martin aka The Bug, has collaborated with grime MC, Rider Shafique, on the tune "Burn." Proceeds from the sales of this one go to I-Dentity, a charity set up by Rider Shafique to provide free books, written by Black authors, to Black children in the south west of England. Listen to it below and buy at Bandcamp.
King Midas Sound - It's Time (Intercranial Recordings)
Well worth checking out is It's Time, the latest offering from King Midas Sound, comprised of Kevin Richard Martin and dub poet, Roger Robinson. This one is a digital release, and their first since last years, amazing, Solitude.
The Bug - Pressure Versions (Pressure)
The Bug - Pressure Versions (Pressure)
Also from The Bug comes Pressure Versions on the label, Pressure. This digital release is chock full of The Bug's brand of futurist dancehall riddims, most of which are from his previous releases, Pressure (2003 Rephlex), Aktion Pak and Gun Disease. This has been another productive year for The Bug, who also release the 5 part, ambient, droning, Frequencies For Leaving Earthon his new label, Intercranial.
It's the first C.V. album in over 20 years! It's Richard H. Kirk as the sole member for this incarnation of the iconic and influential electronic / experimental music group from Sheffield, England. Pre-Order Here
Slipmat.io - Streaming Platform for DJs and Fans!
With the pandemic taking it's toll on our lives in various ways, the night club industry has been impacted in a major way. DJs have lost work and club-goers no longer have that outlet, which while maybe not deemed essential, is, nonetheless, crucial.
DJ live-streams have become commonplace on my Facebook feed. I've partaken in streaming my sets for several years, now, mostly a consequence of residing in a suburb and working nights (traveling downtown after an 8 hour shift can feel like going out of state, let alone having the energy to spin a set once I get there). Streaming on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, etc... can be better than spinning for myself, but is problematic due to content ownership and copyright infringements, the sets will inevitably be interrupted, or removed, due to these violations.
Enter Slipmat.io - Community For DJs & Music Lovers.
A friend of mine forwarded a link to me a month or so ago, it was for a live-streaming platform designed for DJs and their fans, on which they can promote themselves, discover other, like-minded DJs, spin "live' via streaming, and chat with the listeners in real time. Of course I was interested.
There is some rigamarole, initially, to get to the point that a DJ can set up an account to spin (first, you are required to set up a fan account, attend some events, interact in some related chats on the Discord app, get a DJ Mentor who will eventually send you the invite to start a DJ page), but once set up (some marginal technical ability to navigate OBS and a computer with an up-to-date operating system with adequate internet connection required), it's a pretty unique site.
There are an ever growing number of DJs spinning on Slipmat, from the home page you can browse upcoming, as well as recent, events. The DJ profile page has a list of all of the events that the particular DJ has played, and a bulletin can be attached to each event in order to share playlist, uploads, pictures or other information.
I'll be streaming a special mix of spooky treats and horror-stories on wax for Halloween weekend, This Friday, October 30, around 5 pm (MST). Tune in at Slipmat.io/JCutSelecta.
That concludes this update, check back soon for more activity.
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