CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:

Horace Andy - Midnight Scorchers

(2022 On-U Sound)

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

https://horaceandyon-usound.bandcamp.com/

https://bleep.com/release/321047-horace-andy-midnight-scorchers

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.

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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:

https://payitallback.bandcamp.com/album/pay-it-all-back-vol-8