A brand new set of Dub Syndicate ‘versions’ utilising rhythms from their classic 89 - 96 period. Adrian Sherwood has gone back to the original tapes, working his mixing desk magic to find new angles on the timeless pulse of
Lincoln Valentine “Style” Scott, with fresh overdubs from Cyrus Richard (Dub Asante Band).

Features new dubs of tracks originally found on albums such as 'Time Boom X De Devil Dead' and 'Stoned Immaculate'. A fitting tribute to the long running creative partnership and friendship between Sherwood and Scott.

Mastered by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, with an inner sleeve featuring rare photography by Coneyl Jay and liner notes by Rob Harris (Test Pressing).

TRACK LISTING

1. Plains Of Africa (Echo, Echo, Echo)
2. Alive And Burning Bright
3. Right Back To Your Soul
4. Stay Tuned
5. Pleasurezone Transmitter
6. Command Centre
7. Corporate Takeover
8. No Lightweight Here
9. Intercommunications

Another great Dub Syndicate set, 'Strike the Balance' features vocal contributions from mainstay Bim Sherman on a cover of Lloyd & Devon’s 'Cuss Cuss', and Shara Nelson (about to become a household name via her contributions to Massive Attack’s 'Blue Lines') on a version of Serge Gainsbourg's 'Je T'aime'.

Originally released in 1989, and coinciding with the beginnings of Dub Syndicate as a touring unit.

Available on vinyl for the first time in over 25 years, re-cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, with an inner sleeve featuring rare photography by Coneyl Jay and new liner notes by Rob Harris (Test Pressing).

TRACK LISTING

1. Cuss Cuss
2. Hey Ho
3. Shout It Out
4. Je T'Aime
5. Chapter & Verse
6. Mafia
7. Hawaii
8. J.A. Minor
9. Boof Um Baff
10. I'm The Man For You Baby

Probably the best known Dub Syndicate album, this 1991 set was recorded between Jamaica and London, with the rock solid rhythms of band leader Style Scott augmented by a number of additional players, including guitar from Skip McDonald, vocals by Lee “Scratch” Perry and Akabu, samples of the late, great Prince Far I, and keyboards from Keith Levene
.
It also marks a period in which the label was embraced as much by acid house afficianados as hardcore dub heads, with this album becoming a staple of the post-rave ‘comedown’ session. The title track is a veritable On-U Sound anthem, mashing up reggae, tripped out electronica, The Doors and Motown into an epic groove, guaranteed to get crowds moving from the sound system session to the festival field, and all points in between.

Out of print on vinyl for many years, this edition has been re-cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, with an inner sleeve featuring rare photography by Coneyl Jay and new liner notes by Rob Harris (Test Pressing).

TRACK LISTING

1. Wadada (Means Love)
2. Stoned Immaculate
3. Forward Not Back
4. Glory To God
5. No Dog Barks
6. More And More
7. Well Tuned Now
8. King Of Sound And Blues
9. Fight The Power

Classic Dub Syndicate album that sees drummer "Style" Scott and bassist
"Flabba" Holt, bedrock of the mighty Roots Radics, holding together the monstrous rhythms, while Adrian Sherwood works his magic at the controls.

Features guest appearances from Lee “Scratch” Perry on 'Dubbing Psycho Thriller' and 'Dubaddisababa', Michael Franti (Beatnigs/Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy) on 'No No', and tabla virtuoso Talvin Singh on several tracks.

Out of print on vinyl for many years, this edition has been re-cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, with an inner sleeve featuring rare photography by Coneyl Jay and new liner notes by Rob Harris (Test Pressing).

TRACK LISTING

1. Roots Commandment
2. Dubbing Psycho Thriller
3. Dubaddisababa
4. Walking Jerusalem
5. No No
6. 2001 Love (Parts 1 + 2)
7. Green Stick
8. Rock Back
9. Echomania

Another classic set of prime Dub Syndicate on this 1996 album, with Style Scott gathering even more crack Jamaican players together for the rhythms, featuring musicians who between them had done time in the likes of the Roots Radics, Soul Syndicate, Joe Gibbs’ Professionals, and Bunny Lee’s Aggrovators.

This incredible legacy is augmented by Adrian Sherwood’s work at the mixing desk back in London, overdubbing the London-based Skip McDonald and Akabu, and working his sonic magic on the raw material, a true transatlantic dub collaboration! Includes a cameo by the legendary deejay I Roy on the
title track, and Lee "Scratch" Perry making a guest appearance on 'The Captain's Trance Mission'.

Out of print on vinyl for many years, this edition has been re-cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, with an inner sleeve featuring rare photography by Coneyl Jay and new liner notes by Rob Harris (Test Pressing).

TRACK LISTING

1. Throw Down Your Gun
2. The Corporation
3. The Jewel
4. Gun Too Hot
5. No Lightweight Sound
6. Ital Breakfast
7. Japanese Record
8. Jamaican Jig
9. Natural Selection

A follow-up to the 'Ambience In Dub' set that anthologised the early Dub Syndicate albums, 'Out Here On The Perimeter 1989-1996' picks up the story in the late 1980s with Style Scott coming more to the forefront of the project as bandleader and co-producer, and the group emerging as a live entity, mirroring the trajectory of Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah of labelmates African Head Charge.

This was also the period of their greatest popularity, with a classic series of albums that combined the best of Jamaican musicianship and the wild studio experimentation of UK production maverick Adrian Sherwood, resulting in music that appealed to ravers and dreads alike. Sherwood has also concocted a special bonus album of brand new version excursions on rhythms from the period.

This box set includes four albums from that period, plus 'Obscured By Version' - an album of new productions based on classic Dub Syndicate Rhythms.

TRACK LISTING

CD1 - Strike The Balance
1. Cuss Cuss
2. Hey Ho
3. Shout It Out
4. Je T'Aime
5. Chapter & Verse
6. Mafia
7. Hawaii
8. J.A. Minor
9. Boof Um Baff
10. I'm The Man For You Baby

CD2 - Stoned Immaculate
1. Wadada (Means Love)
2. Stoned Immaculate
3. Forward Not Back
4. Glory To God
5. No Dog Barks
6. More And More
7. Well Tuned Now
8. King Of Sound And Blues
9. Fight The Power

CD3 - Echomania
1. Roots Commandment
2. Dubbing Psycho Thriller
3. Dubaddisababa
4. Walking Jerusalem
5. No No
6. 2001 Love (Parts 1 + 2)
7. Green Stick
8. Rock Back
9. Echomania

CD4 - Ital Breakfast
1. Throw Down Your Gun
2. The Corporation
3. The Jewel
4. Gun Too Hot
5. No Lightweight Sound
6. Ital Breakfast
7. Japanese Record
8. Jamaican Jig
9. Natural Selection

CD5 - Obscured By Version
1. Plains Of Africa (Echo, Echo, Echo)
2. Alive And Burning Bright
3. Right Back To Your Soul
4. Stay Tuned
5. Pleasurezone Transmitter
6. Command Centre
7. Corporate Takeover
8. No Lightweight Here
9. Intercommunications

First-time vinyl edition of the 2008 album by the much-missed Harry Beckett, a Barbados-born trumpet player who became a key figure in the UK and European jazz scene.

“Beckett's genius is that he is always true to himself, whoever he performs with. His effervescent, tumbling, improvised melodies never fail to lift the spirits. The Modern Sound of Harry Beckett is a magnificent sonic treat.” — The Guardian.

“Sherwood's production style strikes a perfect balance here between sonic creativity and respectful restraint, and Beckett himself is brilliant, creating horn lines that weave and insinuate themselves through the grooves rather than riding on top of them. Established On-U Sound fans will find this to be an enjoyable curiosity; Harry Beckett fans may find it revelatory.” — All Music.

Edited for vinyl release by Adrian Sherwood and cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery. Includes a printed inner sleeve with full liner notes.

TRACK LISTING

1. Something Special
2. Facing It
3. Ultimate Tribute
4. Fantastic Things
5. The Storyteller
6. Rise & Shine (Cry Of Triumph)
7. Out Of The Blue
8. Switch Up!
9. The Forgotten Man
10. Are You Sitting Comfortably?

Long-awaited reissue of the 1982 solo LP from the late, great “Deadly” Headley Bennett, a key sideman from the golden age of Jamaican music who played on hundreds of records throughout his long and storied career.

Designed as a showcase for his unique talents, producer Adrian Sherwood assembled a crack team of singers and players for this set, including Style Scott, Bim Sherman, George Oban, Lizard Logan, Crucial Tony, and Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah. Fellow Alpha alumnus Rico Rodriguez also makes an appearance on two tracks.

Vinyl re-cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, featuring a printed inner sleeve with liner notes and rare photos. The CD includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks.

TRACK LISTING

1. 35 Years From Alpha
2. The Danger
3. Head Charge
4. Without A Love Like Yours
5. Little Dove
6. Two From Alpha
7. Another Satta
8. Headley's Medley
9. Independent Man (Horns Cut) *
10. Devious Version *

*CD Only Tracks

Vinyl reissue of 5 much sought after albums, most of which have been out of print for over 40 years, plus 6CD anthology set. A crucial reissue campaign of key albums by ‘Creation Rebel’ the original On-U Sound house band. Originally conceived by Adrian Sherwood as a dub outfit to make his first album, Creation Rebel evolved to become the live backing band for Prince Far I, produced a string of classic records in the late 70s and early 80s, and recently returned from exile in space with a triumphant comeback set.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Ooof. 6 CD's of legendary On-U material, all together in one place. Creation Rebel are one of the most well regarded UK dub acts of all time, and this is some of their finest work. Essential.

TRACK LISTING

CD 1
1. Dub From Creation
2. Basic Principals
3. Rebel Rouser
4. Creation Vibration
5. Creation In A Iration
6. Dub Fusion
7. Mirage
8. Liberation
9. Rising Star
10. Vision Of Creation
11. Frontline Dub

CD 2
1. Know Yourself
2. Conspiring
3. Beware
4. Dangerous And Deadly
5.. Shouldn’t Do That
6. Creation Fever
7. Natty Conscience Free
8. Joyful Noise

CD 3
1. Rebel Vibration
2. Jungle Affair
3. Hunger And Strife
4. Ian Smith Rock (Dub)
5. Diverse Doctor
6. Mountain Melody
7. Black Lion Dub
8. Doctor’s Remedy

CD 4
1. Starship Africa Section 1
2. Starship Africa Section 2
3. Starship Africa Section 3
4. Starship Africa Section 4
5. Starship Africa Section 5
6. Space Movement Section 1
7. Space Movement Section 2
8. Space Movement Section 3
9. Space Movement Section 4
10. Creation Rock
11. Give Me Power
12. Original Power

CD 5
1. The Dope
2. African Space
3. Chatti Mouth / Threat To Creation
4. Highest Degree
5. Mother Don’t Cry
6. Yuk Up
7. Drum Talk
8. Independent Man
9. Creation Rebel
10. Monkey Grinds The Organ

CD 6
1. Swiftly (The Right One)
2. Stonebridge Warrior
3. Under Pressure
4. That’s More Like It
5. Jubilee Clock
6. This Thinking Feeling
7. Whatever It Takes
8. Salutation Gardens
9. Crown Hill Road
10. The Peoples’ Sound (Tribute To Daddy Vego)
11. Off The Spectrum

First time available on vinyl since 1982. Psychotic Jonkanoo was the sixth Creation Rebel album in three years, originally licensed to the post-punk oriented Glaswegian label Statik. Another solid set of killer dub, albeit less instrumentally inclined than their previous efforts and more focussed on militant-style conscious chants. Bandleader Crucial Tony was aided on the vocal front by harmonies from other group members, in a style reminiscent of Black Uhuru, plus the occasional guest such as John Lydon of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Limited providing backing harmony (!) on “Mother Don’t Cry”, and the legendary Deadly Headley Bennett adding saxophone to the opening track.

TRACK LISTING

1. The Dope
2. African Space
3. Chatti Mouth / Threat To Creation
4. Highest Degree
5. Mother Don’t Cry
6. Yuk Up
7. Drum Talk

A true dub classic from 1980 – backwards tapes drenched in interplanetary sound effects, ghostly voices from beyond the stars and ringing percussion – one of the most out-there attempts to push the limits of dub reggae beyond the final frontier ever recorded. Featuring members of the Roots Radics, Misty In Roots and Prince Far I’s Arabs.

Originally the sole release on pre-On-U Sound label 4D Rhythms, a young Adrian Sherwood remixed and re-recorded a tape of older reggae rhythms, overdubbing a ton of new percussion and FX, flipping the tape over, and generally abusing the reel-to-reel in any way possible. The result is something utterly deranged and unique in the already pretty out-there annals of dub. It was also rumoured to be the planned soundtrack of a Don Letts-directed film about ‘alien dreads from beyond the stars’!

With the vinyl now commanding high prices on the secondhand market (having not been pressed since 1982), On-U Sound is proud to present this extra special reissue, pressed on limited edition black vinyl, with a fold-out poster insert telling the fascinating story of this classic album in full, alongside rare photos. Includes download card.

STAFF COMMENTS

Laura says: An absolutely ground breaking dub LP from the legendary Adrian Sherwood. His tape manipulations and studio techniques took dub into a whole new dimension and this album provided the template for the mighty On-U Sound sound that has been so influential since the 80s.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
A: Starship Africa

Side 2
B: Space Movement

Limited edition black vinyl repress 40th anniversary reissue of the debut Creation Rebel album.

This is the seminal first studio work by revered dub producer Adrian Sherwood (Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, African Head Charge), engineered by Dennis Bovell (Fela Kuti, The Slits, Orange Juice). Dub From Creation was originally released on pre-On-U Sound label Hitrun in 1978. Recommended for fans of Scientist, King Tubby and the Wackies label. A classic of the genre unavailable on vinyl since original release and now commanding high prices second-hand.

Includes DL card for full album plus two bonus tracks, and printed inner sleeve with essay by Steve Barker (Wire Magazine/BBC Radio) telling the story of the recording in full.

TRACK LISTING

1. Dub From Creation
2. Basic Principals
3. Rebel Rouser
4. Creation Vibration
5. Creation In A Iration
6. Dub Fusion
7. Mirage
8. Liberation
9. Rising Star
10. Vision Of Creation

A sublime set of roots, vocal and dubbed out instrumental magic, Close Encounters Of The Third World is a real lost gem in the treasure-filled Creation Rebel back catalogue. A true cross-atlantic collaboration - initial rhythm tracks were laid down in London in 1978, with horns and vocals overdubbed at Channel One in Jamaica, before bandleader Crucial Tony returned to London with the tapes for the album to be mixed by a visiting Prince Jammy.

Originally released on pre-On-U Sound label Hitrun, and the second album released by the group chronologically. Unavailable for 45 years, it has been carefully pieced back together, for this new edition featuring extended 12” discomix versions of “Beware” and “Natty Conscience Free”, re-cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery. Includes new sleevenotes by reggae scholar David Katz that tells the story of the album in full, plus download card

TRACK LISTING

1. Know Yourself
2. Conspiring
3. Beware
4. Dangerous And Deadly
5. Shouldn’t Do That
6. Creation Fever
7. Natty Conscience Free
8. Joyful Noise

A rare early album by Creation Rebel back in print for the first time since 1979. Rebel Vibrations was originally issued by the pre-On-U Sound label Hitrun. The rhythms stem from one of the first recording sessions organised by maverick producer Adrian Sherwood, taking advantage of ace Jamaican drummer Lincoln “Style” Scott, sticksman for the Roots Radics, visiting the UK for the first time.

Pairing him up with UK-based players such as Crucial Tony, Lizard Logan, Doctor Pablo and Clifton Morrison, the result is a set of tough and uncompromising dub tunes, or as Sherwood describes it: “a structure of suppressed rhythms and unique possibilities in sonic space.” Re-cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery for maximum dynamics. Includes printed inner sleeve with liner notes and archival photo, plus download card for the full album.

TRACK LISTING

1. Rebel Vibration
2. Jungle Affair
3. Hunger And Strife
4. Ian Smith Rock (Dub)
5. Diverse Doctor
6. Mountain Melody
7. Black Lion Dub
8. Doctor’s Remedy

The first album in 40 years from this legendary dub act, who were the original On-U house band and responsible for classics such as Dub from Creation and Starship Africa. The trio of Crucial Tony, Eskimo Fox and Magoo are back with producer Adrian Sherwood to create a modern spin on their heavyweight dubwise rhythms.

“Creation Rebel have created a great legacy. Their records inspired a legion of dubheads and they were foundational in the formation of the On-U Sound and Ruff Cut labels, not to mention bands such as Roots Radics, African Head Charge, Dub Syndicate, Singers and Players and many more. On this album it all comes full circle with Hostile Environment, featuring three of the original Rebels and with some wonderful guests.

‘Hostile Environment’ is the term that UK Prime Minister Theresa May used to describe creating a hostile environment for people seeking refuge and asylum, one of the backdrops to the shocking Windrush scandal that has affected so many Caribbean families who have lived and worked in the UK for their whole lives.” Adrian Sherwood.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: It's been FORTY years, and Creation Rebel are still forging a rich union of soundsystem bass, dubby rhythms and politically pointed lyrics. A superb return for one of the greatest forces in reggae history.

TRACK LISTING

Vinyl
A1 Swiftly (The Right One)
A2 Stonebridge Warrior
A3 Under Pressure
A4 That’s More Like It
A5 Jubilee Clock
A6 This Thinking Feeling
A7 Whatever It Takes
A8 Salutation Gardens
A9 Crown Hill Road
A10 The Peoples’ Sound (Tribute To Daddy Veigo)

CD
01. Swiftly (The Right One)
02. Stonebridge Warrior
03. Under Pressure
04. That’s More Like It
05. Jubilee Clock
06. This Thinking Feeling
07. Whatever It Takes
08. Salutation Gardens
09. Crown Hill Road
10. The Peoples’ Sound (Tribute To Daddy Vego)
11. Off The Spectrum

The legendary collaboration between master percussionist Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah and producer Adrian Sherwood return with their first new studio album in twelve years. Originally conceived in 1981 as an attempt to make Brian Eno’s “vision of a psychedelic Africa” exist in musical form, the project has evolved and mutated over the years but all the hallmarks of their classic sound are present and correct on this record: hypnotic hand drums driving rhythms to move your head and feet; coupled with mind-bending arrangements and dubwise production. Inimitable guest vocals by the award winning Ghanaian kologo master, King Ayisoba lend an extra dimension. An act of cultish proportions, African Head Charge have been compared to Sun Ra “for their same ability to head into the unknown” - Echoes magazine. Recorded between Ghana and the UK, A Trip To Bolgatanga is a triumphant comeback.

TRACK LISTING

1. A Bad Attitude
2. Accra Electronica
3. Push Me Pull You
4. I Chant Too
5. Asalatua
6. Passing Clouds
7. I’m A Winner
8. Trip To Bolgatanga
9. Never Regret A Day
10. Microdosing

Another science fiction dancehall classic. Originally released in 1984, this is one of the most envelope- pushing records on the On-U Sound label: a rhythmic collision of noise, dub and electronics. Adrian Sherwood pushed the possibilities of the studio to the limit, capturing dystopian mid-80s cold war menace with layers of spatially- disorientating percussion, alien keyboard sounds and teeth-rattling distortion. Features vocal contributions from Shara Nelson (Massive Attack) and Annie Anxiety (Crass Records). Re-cut at Dubplates and Mastering in Berlin for maximum bass pressure. Includes a fold-out poster insert and download card which contains the full album plus a previously unreleased extended mix of 'Ace Of Wands', their contribution to the classic first volume of the long running 'Pay It All Back' series.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Crocodile's Court
A2. Gentle Killers
A3. Frequency Feast
A4. Quicksand Beach Party
B1. Savanna Prance
B2. Meander
B3. Igloo Inn
B4. Missing Brazilians

Love Forever was issued posthumously in 2012, following the untimely passing of Ari Up two years before.Like the preceding New Age Steppers album from 1983, it was started in Jamaica and completed in London, producer Adrian Sherwood wishing to complete the work they had started and to pay appropriate tribute to his longtime friend.

The original Steppers records were heavily influenced by the Jamaican music coming into the UK on import 12”s at the time, and Love Forever updates that approach, with nods to dancehall and bashment. Other tracks such as single “My Nerves” recall Ari Up’s work with The Slits, as well as more modern firebrands such as Atari Teenage Riot or Le Tigre. Dub Syndicate provide the backing on the irreverent “The Schiesse Song”, there are left turns into electro and harmony-laden fusion-pop, and final track “The Death Of The Trees” is a fitting instrumental elegy by Sherwood to his departed collaborator. 

TRACK LISTING

A1 Conquer
A2 My Nerves
A3 Love Me Nights
A4 The Scheisse Song
A5 Musical Terrorist
A6 The Fury Of Ari
B1 Wounded Animal
B2 The Worst Of Me
B3 Revelation
B4 The Last Times
B5 Death Of Trees

The quickfire follow-up to the New Age Stepper’s self-titled debut, this set was also issued in 1981. A perhaps more melodic and accessible record than its predecessor, the bulk of the album is versions of tunes sourced from reggae imports of the period, featuring radical interpretations of songs by Bim Sherman, Horace Andy and B.B. Seaton.

Ari Up of the Slits takes more of a frontwoman role here, singing lead on most tracks, and bringing a lot of her own indomitable personality to bear on the material, even breaking briefly into German for her take on “Problems”! It also features the vocal debut of a very young Neneh Cherry on “My Love”. The rhythms are rock solid, laid down by the crack team of Eskimo Fox, Crucial Tony and George Oban, having honed their skills on sides by Creation Rebel and Aswad, with everything expertly dubbed through the mixing desk of Adrian Sherwood.

First time available on vinyl for 40 years, includes download card and printed inner featuring new sleevenotes and interviews by Oli Warwick. 

TRACK LISTING

A1. My Whole World
A2. Observe Life
A3. Got To Get Away
A4. My Love

B1. Problems
B2. Nuclear Zulu
B3. Guiding Star

The third New Age Steppers arrived in 1983 and marked a sea change in approach, a warmer sounding record than the two thrilling-but-abrasive LPs that had preceded it.

Part of this was down to frontwoman Ari Up moving to Jamaica and instigating proceedings with a session at the legendary Channel One with Style Scott and a JA horn section, before bringing the tapes back to London for Adrian Sherwood to work on. The other big factor was bringing in Bim Sherman to step up to the mic on several tracks, after interpreting some of his material on the previous albums. His distinctive croon works as the perfect foil to Ari’s own vocal takes, and the resulting album is perhaps the closest the collective got to laying down an album that is identifiably roots reggae, albeit still breaking tradition with colourful synth tones and a post-punk production sensibility.

First time available on vinyl since original release, includes download card and printed inner featuring new sleevenotes and interviews by Oli Warwick.

TRACK LISTING

A1 Some Love
A2 Memories
A3 5 Dog Race
A4 Misplaced Love

B1 Dreamers
B2 Stabilizer
B3 Stormy Weather
B4 Vice Of My Enemies
B5 Mandarin

The landmark first album on the On-U Sound label, this self-titled debut announced a gathering of the tribes: producer Adrian Sherwood bringing together members of the Slits, the Pop Group, the Flying Lizards and the Raincoats and getting them to collaborate with the likes of the Roots Radics’ Style Scott, Creation Rebel’s Crucial Tony, and Aswad’s George Oban to form a potent post-punk/dub fusion.

The albums two highest peaks are brilliantly realised interpretations of Jamaican classics - Junior Byles’ “Fade Away” and Bim Sherman’s “Love Forever”, Ari Up’s vocal transporting the dread warning and lovers rock vibes to the icy hallways of early-80s London squatland. Elsewhere Mark Stewart marshalls an early version of his “Crazy Dreams and High Ideals” (later re-versioned with the Maffia), music journalist Vivien Goldman voices caustic album closer “Private Armies” (originally a b-side to her Launderette single), and all sorts of strange noises and rhythmic murk bridge the gaps, the instrumentals falling somewhere between a late night studio session at Channel One and the kinds of experimental soundscapes being explored at the time by Industrial Records.

A certified classic of the era back on wax for the first time in 40 years and an essential addition to any post-punk record collection. Includes download card and printed inner with new sleevenotes and interviews by Oli Warwick.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Fade Away
A2. Radial Drill
A3. State Assembly
A4. Crazy Dreams And High Ideals


B1. Abderhamane’s Demise
B2. Animal Space
B3. Love Forever
B4. Private Armies

Rare dubs, version excursions and unreleased tracks from the vault 1980 - 1983.

In the tradition of archival On-U Sound compilations of recent years such as the Return Of The Crocodile and Churchical Chant Of The Iyabinghi sets for African Head Charge; and the Displaced Masters LP of early Dub Synidcate rarities, we’ve gone through the tape vaults to put together this special record of unreleased versions and rarities from the white hot early days of the New Age Steppers, the group that launched the On-U Sound label by appearing on both the first single and album.

Highlights include a restored track from their infamous and long-lost 1983 John Peel session (an ebullient cover of Atlantic Starr’s “Send For Me” featuring a beautifully spirited vocal performance from the much-missed Ari Up), the Jah Woosh deejay cut of “Love Forever”, some rare dubs previously only available on Japanese import CDs, all bookended by two very different takes on Chaka Khan’s “Some Love”. An essential set for collectors of post-punk, dub and other outernational sounds. 

TRACK LISTING

A1 Aggro Dub Version
A2 Send For Me
A3 Izalize
A4 Unclear

B1 Singing Love
B2 I Scream (Rimshot)
B3 Avante Gardening
B4 Wide World Version
B5 Some Dub

Originally issued in 1993 and the last African Head Charge album on On-U Sound for 12 years, released at the height of the band’s popularity as a staple of live music festivals. Continuing the skillful fusion of styles they had explored on “Songs Of Praise”, this album added elements of trance and electronica to their trademark percussion-heavy sound. This expanded reissue adds 8 bonus tracks to the original vinyl edition, including 2 that have never been released before. Includes a download card for the full audio plus a double-sided poster insert with excerpts from a new interview with band leader Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah.

TRACK LISTING

Side One
1. Heading To Glory
2. Pursuit
3. One Destination
4. No, Don't Follow Fashion

Side Two
5. Animal Law
6. Learning
7. Fever Pitch
8. Somebody Touch I

Side Three
9. Fever Pitch (Raw Cut)
10. Pursuit (Underpulse Motion DJ Edit)
11. No Don’t Follow Fashion
12. On The Off Beat

Side Four
13. Rastaman
14. Run Come See Me
15. Kumasee
16. Mama Shante Garden

The first album African Head Charge made for On-U since 1993, this 2005 set was a triumphant return that saw longtime collaborators Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah and Adrian Sherwood reunited in the studio once more, the album title referring to the project’s original mission statement (nicked from Brian Eno!). This album is African Head Charge at their very best, rich in varied percussion and spiritual chants, set over hypnotic and transcendent layers of African rhythms, trippy and bubbling dubbed-out effects, and trademark pounding bass. This is the first time the album has been released n vinyl. Cut over 4 sides for maximum dynamics by King Kevin Metcalfe. Includes double-sided poster insert featuring a new interview with Bonjo, download card for full contents and two bonus tracks.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: More from the post-millennial incarnations of the African Head Charge catalogue. This is a particularly third-eye-opening set, rich in spirituality and oneness with Eart'.

TRACK LISTING

Side One
1. The Big Country
2. Surfari
3. Positive Thoughts & Mind
4. Unplanned

Side Two
5. Treatment For A Septic Horn
6. Drumming Is A Language
7. Mr. Whippy Does Djibouti
8. Run Come See
9. Ran Came Saw

Side Three
10. Blessed Works
11. Work Blessed
12. More Fluid
13. Who Are You?

Side Four
14. Ready You Ready
15. Ready You Ready Part 2
16. What Is The Plan? W/ Mutabaruka
17. What Is The Plan? (Version) W/ Mutabaruka 

A dub companion to the critically-acclaimed "Rainford" album that sees the Upsetter and co-producer Adrian Sherwood radically re-version the original tapes with a host of guest musicians including Brian Eno and Vin Gordon.

If "Rainford" is 2019’s "Roast Fish, Collie Weed & Corn Bread" then "Heavy Rain" is it’s "Super Ape".

As well as highlighting the deft musicianship of the original backing band on the "Rainford" sessions (which include core On-U luminaries from Creation Rebel, Tackhead and Dub Syndicate) these re-works also invite some further players into the cosmic mix. Brian Eno makes an unexpected right channel entry into “Here Come The Warm Dreads”, a heavily processed sound system overhaul of Rainford highlight “Makumba Rock”, cheekily re-titled as a nod to Eno’s own debut solo album. This completes a circle started in 1981 with African Head Charge’s My Life In A Hole In The Ground similarly referencing the contemporary collaboration between Eno and David Byrne, and their “vision of a psychedelic Africa”.

Elsewhere, legendary trombonist Vin Gordon (one of the hornsmen on Bob Marley & The Wailers Exodus amongst many other classic sides) lends his distinctively woozy blowing to tracks such as “Rattling Bones And Crowns” (a late night flipside to “Kill Them Dreams Money Worshippers”) and “Crickets In Moonlight” (“Cricket In The Moon” refracted through some beautifully louche late summer heat haze lens). On the closest the album has to a title track, “Heavy Rainford” strips back the narrative from “Autobiography Of The Upsetter” to ride the rhythm with all sorts of mixing desk tricks, anchored by the killer “I Am The Upsetter” hook from LSK.

It’s important to note that it’s not all Rainford re-works though: “Dreams Come True” and “Above And Beyond” are Scratch and Sherwood originals, heard here for the first time and equally strong material for this purple patch in the career of an unstoppable Jamaican maverick and true musical pioneer.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Intro - Music Shall Echo
A2. Here Come The Warm Dreads
A3. Rattling Bones And Crowns
A4. Mindworker
A5. Enlightened
A6. Hooligan Hank

B1. Crickets In Moonlight
B2. Space Craft
B3. Dreams Come True
B4. Above And Beyond
B5. Heavy Rainford
B6. Outro - Wisdom

This 18 track showcase of new Adrian Sherwood productions is the long-awaited latest installment in the legendary On-U sampler series that first emerged in 1984. It features previews of several forthcoming On-U releases, unique mixes, deep cuts and unreleased tracks from Roots Manuva, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Coldcut, Gary Lucas (Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band), Mark Stewart, Horace Andy and more. In the classic tradition of the series the tracks are stitched together with a number of special pirate radio style segue ways, making for a unique journey through the modern world of On-U Sound.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Long established experimental dub series Pay It All Back reaches a modest 7th volume landmark. Keeping the quality control high throughout the series, Adrian Sherwood presents the best of the modern dub underground.

TRACK LISTING

LP:
A1. Roots Manuva & Doug Wimbish - Spit Bits
A2. Sherwood & Pinch (ft. Daddy Freddy & Dubiterian) - One Law For The Rich
A3. Horace Andy - Mr Bassie (Play Rub A Dub)
A4. Neyssatou & Likkle Mai - War
B1. Lee “Scratch” Perry - African Starship
B2. Denise Sherwood - Ghost Heart
B3. Higher Authorities - Neptune Version*
B4. Sherwood & Pinch Ft. LSK - Fake Days
B5. Congo Natty - UK All Stars In Dub
C1. Mark Stewart - Favour
C2. LSK And Adrian Sherwood - The Way Of The World
C3. Gary Lucas With Arkell & Hargreaves - Toby’s Place
C4. Nisennenmondai - A’ - Live In Dub (Edit)
D1. African Head Charge - Flim
D2. Los Gaiteros De San Jacinto - Fuego De Cumbia / Dub De Sangre Pura (Dub Mix)
D3. Little Axe - Deep River (The Payback Mix)
D4. Ghetto Priest Ft. Junior Delgado & 2 Bad Card - Slave State
D5. Coldcut Ft. Roots Manuva - Beat Your Chest

*Unique To Vinyl & CD Editions
All Tracks Previously Unreleased Except B3, B5 And D2.

CD:
01. Roots Manuva & Doug Wimbish - Spit Bits
02. Sherwood & Pinch (ft. Daddy Freddy & Dubiterian) - One Law For The Rich
03. Horace Andy - Mr Bassie (Play Rub A Dub)
04. Neyssatou & Likkle Mai - War
05. Lee “Scratch” Perry - African Starship
06. Denise Sherwood - Ghost Heart
07. Higher Authorities - Neptune Version*
08. Sherwood & Pinch Ft. LSK - Fake Days
09. Congo Natty - UK All Stars In Dub
10. Mark Stewart - Favour
11. LSK And Adrian Sherwood - The Way Of The World
12. Gary Lucas With Arkell & Hargreaves - Toby’s Place
13. Nisennenmondai - A’ - Live In Dub (Edit)
14. African Head Charge - Flim
15. Los Gaiteros De San Jacinto - Fuego De Cumbia / Dub De Sangre Pura (Dub Mix)
16. Little Axe - Deep River (The Payback Mix)
17. Ghetto Priest Ft. Junior Delgado & 2 Bad Card - Slave State
18. Coldcut Ft. Roots Manuva - Beat Your Chest

*Unique To Vinyl & CD Editions
All Tracks Previously Unreleased Except 7, 9 And 15.

Rated by many to be the pinnacle in their catalogue, this third album from 1983 saw the reggae collective Singers & Players really hitting their stride.

On microphone duties, Prince Far I and Bim Sherman are joined by Mikey Dread (fresh from his work with The Clash) and Ashanti Roy (The Congos) for a truly heavyweight line-up.

Voicing killer rhythms laid down by members of the Dub Syndicate and Roots Radics, this is a landmark recording in the mutated UK version of dub.

Contains the classic On-U tracks ‘Bedward The Flying Preacher’ and ‘Snipers In The Streets’.

Re-cut at Dubplates & Mastering in Berlin. Includes a fold-out 24” x 12” poster insert and digital download card.

STAFF COMMENTS

Laura says: One of many fantastic albums produced by On-U Sound. Worth buying for "Bedward The flying Preacher" alone!

TRACK LISTING

African Blood
Bedward The Flying
Preacher
Snipers In The Street
A Matter Of Time
School Days
Autobiography
Socca
This Assembly

African Head Charge's third album from 1983. Described by producer Adrian Sherwood as: "Experiments in active frequencies, out of time noises, rhythms within rhythms, and endless tape edits (edits on edits) resulting in the ultimate cut-up and paste job..." whilst an On-U press release of the time declared: "A high-tech rhythm mix of human, animal and machine sounds, captured on the Southern Studios digital rig by the "wackid' mixer Adrian Sherwood, up in sunny Wood Green, 'Drastic Season' features that On-U rugged bass sound. Check it if you're a dancer, a listener, a film maker, a computer programmer, a human or an animal. Special treats in store for steam locomotive enthusiasts and biologists. You've never heard such sounds in your life (to quote ESP)."

Loose echoes of traditional African percussion music, field recordings and roots reggae inform the mix, whilst some parts conjure up the stripped-back post-rock of Can or Tortoise.

Re-cut at Dubplates & Mastering in Berlin for maximum bass pressure. Includes printed inner with sleevenotes by Steve Barker (‘On The Wire’), plus download card for full album.

TRACK LISTING

A1 Timbuktu Express
A2 I Want Water
A3 Bazaar
A4 African Hedge Hog
B1 Depth Charge
B2 Fruit Market
B3 Snake In The Hole
B4 Many Generations

Experimental studio album from 1982 that saw African Head Charge working manipulated and vari-speeded 1/4 inch tape loops that were re-recorded back to the multi track, soaked in reverb and delay, and then applied to the performances of the musicians, not to mention extensive use of found sounds and field recordings, hence the title.

The brainchild of Adrian Sherwood and percussionist Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah, the group forged their own undefinable sound on these early albums which sound eerily contemporary, predating the experimental bass music of labels such as Hyperdub and Tectonic.

Features contributions from Bruce Smith (The Pop Group), Style Scott (Roots Radics) and Deadly Headley (The Wailers).

Re-cut at Dubplates & Mastering in Berlin for maximum bass pressure. Includes printed inner with sleevenotes by Steve Barker (‘On The Wire’), plus download card for full album.

TRACK LISTING

Crocodile Hand Luggage
Dinosaur's Lament
Beriberi
Snakeskin Tracksuit
High Protein Snack
In A Trap
Breeding Space
Primitive
Latin Temperament 

The second album by the loose On-U Sound collective, originally released in 1982. Featuring Prince Far I, Bim Sherman, Jah Woosh, plus members of The Roots Radics, The Slits and Glaxo Babies.

Heavy dread vibes, earthquaking dub and classic deejay chatter, recorded in the flash, heat and studio experimentation of post-punk London.

“There really is not a single weak track here. Sherwood spins his glistening web of intrusive, hyperactive magic, a production approach that would never work for anyone else but almost always does for him. No reggae collection should be without this one.” - All Music

Re-cut at dubplates & mastering in Berlin for maximum bass pressure. Includes a 24” x 12” fold-out poster insert and digital download card.

TRACK LISTING

A) Dungeon B) Merchant Ship C) Jah Army Band
Too Much Workload
Prodigal Son
Follower
Water The Garden
Resolution (Pt.2 / Version 2)
Thing Called Love (Don’t Fight)
Cha-Ris-Ma

'Late Night Endless' is the first album by (Adrian) Sherwood (On-U Sound label boss) and Pinch (Tectonic head honcho) and the culmination of two years in the studio developing, re-dubbing and deconstructing tracks. It finds the highest common factor between the two's techniques, making it impossible to see where one musical personality ends and the other starts. It touches on the urban swing of UK garage on ‘Music Killer (Dub)' and 'Gimme Some More (Tight Like That)', on interstellar 90s ambient dub on 'Wild Birds Sing', on the mystical minimalism of Pinch's first releases on 'Africa 138' - but none of these stylistic diversions are out of place; they all seem completely of a piece with the heavyweight, ancient-futurist dub pulse that runs under everything.

It's an intergenerational meeting of minds, a fusing of two stories, a collision of the (pun intended) tectonic plates of international soundsystem culture. The currents that link post-punk, jungle, dubstep, almighty reggae, techno, Jamaica, Ramsgate and Bristol all come together in a single small DJ booth in London then explode outwards again through truck-sized speakers, through long weeks of studio experimentation, through days and nights without sleep in Tokyo, and are finally condensed on a record that reverberates with the apocalyptic echoes of all that came before and the rumbling threat of a dark future.

The connection was already there. Adrian Sherwood built up a vast catalogue of music through the 1980s as producer to the vast and sprawling dub-industrial-electro collective that was On-U Sound, taking in Dub Syndicate, Tackhead, New Age Steppers and many many more. As a young boy, Rob ‘Pinch’ Ellis grew up on it. “My older brother had loads of On-U albums,” he says, “and taped them all for me. Listening to all that was definitely my introduction to dub – we didn't have a lot of reggae around where I grew up in Newport [South Wales] – and it meant that when I heard jungle, drum'n'bass, trip hop and stuff later on, it made complete sense to me.”

This is an exciting record because it's full of hints of how much more there is to come from this meeting of minds. It's exciting because of the history that pounds and pulses through it. More than that, though, it's exciting because of what it does to you as a listener right here and now in the present; as the sample of Andy Fairley's vocal from the early days of On-U says in 'Precinct of Sound' says: “your head will become a crazy bulbous punch bag of sound”... and what more could you ask?

For more than three decades, Adrian Sherwood has been one of the World’s finest and most consistently groundbreaking producers, artists and remixers. He has wrought his magic upon such artists as Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, Blur, Primal Scream and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, as well as coining new sounds with legendary acts such as Tackhead and Mark Stewart. As label boss and producer for the legendary On-U Sound label, he has brought music to the world from New Age Steppers, African Head Charge, Gary Clail and Dub Syndicate.

Now comes Adrian’s third solo album, ‘Survival & Resistance’. Dark atmospherics, creeping electronics and an almost orchestral approach to arrangement are married to brilliant melodic sense.

Drawing on the upheaval of the all-too-recent London riots and staring down the current international economic crisis, the album is an earnest critique of current injustices, and like all great dub music is also potently enjoyable. Echoes of the UK’s hyperactive electronic underground can be heard through the album, and Sherwood’s recent time spent with such young luminaries as Kode 9, Pinch, Digital Mystikz and The Bug have no doubt played an energizing role. However, even stronger is the post-punk lineage of the On-U aesthetic and the mythical mixing approach he has evolved over the years. A swirling maelstrom of skull-shaking, heavy electronic tones and masterful deployment of breathing space and alien echo, ‘Survival & Resistance’ is the sound of avantgarde dub music in 2012.