CULTCHA Clash Outer National

CULTCHA Clash Outer National
https://www.cultchaclash.com

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The Bug presents - Various Artists - Absent Riddim (2022 Pressure)

Friday, September 9, 2022

CULTCHA Clash Outer-National Music Review: The Bug Presents: Absent Riddim (2022 Pressure)

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Music Review:

The Bug presents - Various Artists - Absent Riddim

(2022 Pressure)

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.

It's reported that the first full album to use this technique was Rupie Edwards' Dr. Satan Yamaha LP (1974 Success), on which artists like Shorty The President, Slim Smith, and instrumentalists like Earl "Chinna" Smith and Bongo Herman, personalized the My Conversation riddim with each contributor's individual stylings. By the 80s, this type of LP was commonplace, from JA's up-and-coming crop of raggamuffin deejays and singers.

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.

Moor Mother, who worked with Martin and Justin K Broadrick as Zonal, brings the raw, sub-conscious flow on "Fuck With Me."

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.

Other standouts are the punk-poetry of "Dead," by Nicholas Bullen, Ethan Lee McCarthy's "Is Death A Dream?" and "What's That Sound?" with Nosaj.

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!

https://thebugmusic.bandcamp.com/album/absent-riddim

https://infinitefelines.blogspot.com/

CULTCHA Clash Outer National
https://www.cultchaclash.com

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

Friday, August 12, 2022

CLUTCH Clash Outer National Animal Activism Project: Infinite Felines Sanctuary

Welcome to Infinite Felines - Unofficial Cat Sanctuary

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Animal Activism In Effect

https://infinitefelines.blogspot.com will be the home for all of our cat activities. We take care of over 40 feral and domesticated cats in our neighborhood. During the pandemic, we fell behind on having them spayed & neutered, we are trying to get caught up, the state program is very limited so we have decided to raise funds and pay the regular veterinarian rates for the procedures.

All donations are greatly appreciated, every little bit helps, so, please give if you are able:

https://infinitefelines.blogspot.com/

We're fundraising this upcoming weekend with a Mix-A-Thon at https://www.mixcloud.com/selectajcut/

Tune in on Saturday, August 13 at 9 am PDT.

Please subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa2QJTEOOrQWu1NWG7YSh2g

We plan to document our activities here. Follow the blog, https://infinitefelines.blogspot.com, to stay up to date.

CULTCHA Clash Outer National
https://www.cultchaclash.com

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

G36 vs JK Flesh - Disintegration Dubs (Oct. 2021 Pressure)

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)

Various Artists - Pay It All Back Vol. 8 (2022 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)

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.

CULTCHA Clash Outer National
https://www.cultchaclash.com

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

Jah Wobble & The Ukrainians ft. Jon Klein - Ukrainian National Anthem In Dub (2022 Dimple Discs)

Friday, May 20, 2022

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Music Review: Jah Wobble & The Ukrainians ft. Jon Klein "Ukrainian National Anthem In Dub" (2022 Dimple Discs)

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Album Review:

Jah Wobble & The Ukrainians ft. Jon Klein - Ukrainian National Anthem In Dub

(2022 Dimple Discs)

This collaboration between British folk-punk band, The Ukrainians, with Jah Wobble (original P.I.L., Invaders Of The Heart) on bass, drums and production, along with Jon Klein (Siouxsie & The Banshees, Specimen), who also handles guitar, keys and programming, is raising proceeds to be donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal to assist refugees forced to flee their homes that were destroyed or left uninhabitable by Russia's barbaric invasion.

Instrumentally, the track is sparse and dubby, as is to be expected from Wobble, who infused the first two P.I.L. albums with his Jamaican inspired bass-lines, the group effectively reinventing Punk with those revolutionary LPs. Wobble has continued that path throughout his years of producing a genre-spanning discography, which has led to works with the likes of Bill Laswell and Brian Eno.

Klein's contributions are minimal, allowing the vocalists to shape the tune with their anthem... Nationalism has never been my thing, but I can appreciate it in an instance like this, and the tune is actually quite powerful and very enjoyable. It's certainly for a good cause.

It's available on the following platforms... https://ffm.to/jahwobbleukrainians

Direct contributions can be made to: https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal

and: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpukraine

https://jahwobble.com

https://www.the-ukrainians.com

Thanks to Shauna from Shameless Promotions PR

CULTCHA Clash Outer National
https://www.cultchaclash.com

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