Tuesday, February 19, 2019
VA - (2015) Empathy CS
Akashita Corp – 003
A1 –Wet Petals III 1:29
A2 –People's Temple Project Untitled 0:13
A3 –Secret Smoker Every Moment (Live) 1:52
B1 –Coma Regalia Yes I Am Familiar With That Metaphor 1:08
B2 –Мятеж Power Humvee vs Cave Dweller 0:43
B3 –Waller DC Mini 1:45
VA - (2017) Innovations In Sound and Communication CS
Akashita Corp – 009
A1 –Under a Sky so Blue Rhizome 1:18
A2 –Majorel Ivory Tower
A3 –Aspine Kevin Kosner 2:04
A4 –The Ultimate Screamo Band En Consequence 1:16
A5 –Heritage Unit A Black Wind 3:07
A6 –Apostles Of Eris Inner Dialogue 1:35
Alpha & Omega - (2001) Dub Philosophy
BSI Records – 023
Well it's finally here, the long awaited Alpha & Omega release. First of all I'm always hungry for remixes, but lately I find that Alpha & Omega has a bit too much remixes of the same material. I thought this CD would have been all brand new material, instead it's 95% remixes, however I must admit that these are some of the most serious Bass Heavy, Earth Shattering Mixes that I've ever heard in a dub recording. The tracks are totally disguised in such a way that they sound rightiously fresh. My favorite track is Dub of Purpose which was remixed by "Another Sound System Experience" who totally reconstruct the rhythm to tear down the walls. It's only because I recognized Nishka's vocals I knew it was the remix of the song show me a purpose. I wish I could be there in England to hear the Mighty Jah Shaka lick these sound system burners in the dance. This CD is also much better than their last BSI offering "Mystical Things" If you are an Alpha & Omega fan or just love Dub, pick this up, play loud and feel the vibes of some of the finest british Dub N'Roots. Nuff Respect!
African Head Charge - (1991) Pride & Joy - Live
On-U Sound – 014
Originally released in 1991, Pride and Joy compiles collection of live recordings from African Head Charge shows between 1987 - 1991.
Alton Ellis - (1967) Sings Rock and Soul
Studio One – 8008
Alton Ellis was one of the true originals and innovators of the Jamaican ska and reggae sound. Right up there with Bob Marley, Prince Buster and Desmond Dekker. He originated the rocksteady beat that would become the staple of the British two tone movement. He was a fine recording artist who knocked out a whole range of classic tracks in his own unique style.
Recorded in 1967 for the Studio One label, this is a fine collection of tracks. Ellis takes well known material and gives it the rocksteady treatment (the best ever version of whiter shade of pale is to be found here) or delivers some fine originals.
It's laid back, grooving and just a whole load of fun to listen to. It's music designed to help you have a good time, and listening to it is really uplifting.
Includes the 12 original tracks which appeared on the 1967 CSL 8008 vinyl release together with two "bonus" tracks not listed on the cover -"oppression" and "mother and father" A classic album by one of the greatest singers ever.
Alton Ellis - (1970) Sunday Coming
Coxsone Records – 8023
Alton Ellis - (2004) Be True to Yourself Anthology 1965-1973 2xCD
Trojan Records – 205
Alton Ellis created a template in the 1960s that subsequent Jamaican singers like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs would follow to a T, combining soulful vocal phrasing, derived in part from American R&B, with hard island rhythms and a bent for romantic material into a surefire way to keep a presence on the charts. Although he is often celebrated for his subtle Jamaican interpretations of American pop hits (which often improved on the originals, as is the case here with Ellis' version of Chuck Jackson's "Willow Tree"), it is startling to realize how many of the best songs on this two-disc, 56-track compilation of Ellis' early years were actually written by the singer. "Dance Crasher," "Cry Tough," "The Preacher," "Black Man's World," "Harder and Harder," and "Better Get Your Heads Together" were all penned by Ellis, and his soaring tenor renders them both poignant and irresistible. It's also interesting how many of the tracks deal squarely with social issues, and while there are plenty of romantic ballads included here, Ellis clearly had a wider range of concerns than his public persona as a crooner would afford. Songs like "Cry Tough" (with its classic "how can a man be tougher than the world" interjection by Lloyd Charmers) are immortal, in part because of Ellis' emotive and nuanced vocals, but also because the writing is so smart, wise, and assured, not to mention timely and political. As an introduction to Ellis' classic early years (and in particular, his work with Treasure Isle producer Duke Reid), Be True to Yourself is hard to beat.
Augustus Pablo - (2011) Ital Dub
Get On Down – 50759
Navigating Pablo’s back catalogue is a difficult task, since he got his start as an un-credited session player in the late 1960s, mostly working as a keyboardist. Several early singles credited to Augustus Pablo actually featured the work of other players, as the name was randomly assigned by producer Herman Chin-Loy, who first recorded Pablo’s melodica tracks. There are also albums bearing his name that feature less-talented imposters. But have no fear when you pick up Ital Dub, a 1974 album produced by Tommy Cowan; it is the real deal, featuring Pablo’s cool melodica over some of the best works Cowan ever issued, and even if it does not quite scale the heights of later sets like King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown or East of the River Nile, it is definitely worth having in your collection.
The album starts off strong with The Big Rip Off, a killer melodica take of Jacob Miller’s Forward Jah Jah Children (featuring a great King Tubby dub mix), followed by an echoing take on Marley’s Road Block (as re-cut for Cowan by Inner Circle). Though the wobbly cut of Curly Locks that follows sounds a little raw, Well Red is a sterling melodica take of Jacob Miller’s Moses. Gun Trade is a great re-working of Bob Andy’s Fire Burning. And Shake Up is a killer dubwise cut on the Please Be True rhythm.
On the original album’s second side, Hillside Airstrip is a wacky riff on the oft-versioned Skanga, the eerie Barbwire Disaster has Pablo’s melodica nicely offset by warbling harmonica riffs, and Mr Big is a great cut of Jacob Miller’s version of Natty Dread. Similarly, Eli’s Move is a spongy melodica number riding a dub-heavy rhythm, while House Raid is a throbbing dub cut to Inner Circle’s re-working of Peter Tosh’s Burial. Finally, closing number Shake Down is an alternate melodica instrumental of Shake Up/Please Be True, proving that there is always another way of looking at any given rhythm track.
Nicely straddling the divide between straight instrumental and manipulated dub, Ital Dub is ultimately a snapshot of Augustus Pablo finding his way, on the cusp of greater glory as a bonafide producer of his own works.
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