CULTCHA Clash Outer National Album Review:

Mark Stewart - VS

(2022 eMERGENCY heARTS)

Mark Stewart - VS (2022 eMERGENCY heARTS)

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.

'Cast No Shadow (Leather Strip Mix)' features Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire / Wrangler) and Eric Random. It is an electro funk banger.

'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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Also check out Vinyl Encounters of the... Rewind!

Vinyl Encounters of the... Rewind!

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:

Nun Gun - Stealth Empire In Dub

(Self Released 2021)

&

The Pop Group - Y In Dub

(Mute 2021)

Reviewed by Jon "Selecta J-Cut" Soldanels

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.

Both of these releases involve vocalist Mark Stewart, who was the subject of a recent CULTCHA Clash Outer National's Vinyl Encounters Of The Rewind.

Nun Gun - Stealth Empire In Dub (2021 Self Released)

Stealth Empire In Dub is the accompanying release to Mondo Decay (Witty Books), which came out on cassette in February of this year. The song, "Stealth Empire" features Mark Stewart providing vocal stylings for the Atlanta, GA based experimental group, Nun Gun, comprised of 2 members of Algiers and visual artist, Brad Feuerhelm. The several mixes include a dub by Adrian Sherwood.

Nun Gun "Stealth Empire (featuring Mark Stewart)"

The Pop Group - Y In Dub (2021 Mute)

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!

Mark Stewart VS Lee 'Scratch' Perry VS Peter Harris - Alpha (Adrian Sherwood Mix)

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.

The collaboration features Fritz Catlin of 23 Skidoo, with production by Xqui, mixed by Adrian Sherwood and mastered by Mark Pistel of Consolidated.

Mark Stewart VS Lee "Scratch" Perry VS Peter Harris - Alpha (eMergency heArts)

This one will be featured on the soon coming compilation of Stewart's collaborative efforts, VS. Guests include members of Cabaret Voltaire, Front 242, Minutemen and more. Coming March 2022 through eMergency heArts.