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 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.
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!
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 AdrianSherwood 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 byIvan "Celloman" Husseythat 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!
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.
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."
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)
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.
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:
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.
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-16004510-1601728608-9387.jpeg.jpg)
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-15845766-1598863960-6172.jpeg.jpg)
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-15924869-1600304541-1008.jpeg.jpg)
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-15308705-1589529376-2107.jpeg.jpg)
