Search Results for:

SOUND ON SOUND

Sound On Sound

Macho / Depression

After getting used to eclectic sounds but always rooted in disco music, boogie with some proto-house drift, at the stroke of a dozen reissues, Omaggio delights us with a two tracks new-wave masterpiece, released in the mid-'80s on Color Record, seminal Flemish label, first and only recording of the Sound On Sound project. The original tracks "Macho" and "Depression" have been fully restored and come courtesy of Peter Gillis. Mr. Gillis is a highly regarded artist, sound engineer, composer and producer who has worked for some of the most important Belgian studios as well as an absolute pioneer of the Euro House scene, and a signatory of some of the greatest hits in this genre.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Macho
B1. Depression

Prince Far I

Cry Tuff Chants On U (RSD24 EDITION)

    THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2024 EXCLUSIVE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE INSTORE ON SATURDAY APRIL 20TH ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.



    IF THERE ARE ANY REMAINING COPIES THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT 8PM ON MONDAY APRIL 22ND.






    Creation Rebel

    Psychotic Jonkanoo - 2024 Reissue

      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

      Creation Rebel

      High Above Harlesden 1978-2023

        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

        Creation Rebel

        Close Encounters Of The Third World - 2024 Reissue

          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

          Creation Rebel

          Rebel Vibrations - 2024 Reissue

            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

            Creation Rebel

            Starship Africa - 2024 Reissue

              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

              Creation Rebel

              Dub From Creation - 2024 Reissue

                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

                Michel Faber

                Listen : On Music, Sound And Us

                  'I'm not here to change your mind about Dusty Springfield or Shostakovich or Tupac Shakur or synthpop. I'm here to change your mind about your mind.' There are countless books on music with much analysis given to musicians, bands, eras and/or genres. But rarely does a book delve into what's going on inside us when we listen.

                  Michel Faber explores two big questions: how we listen to music and why we listen to music. To answer these he considers biology, age, illness, the notion of 'cool', commerce, the dichotomy between 'good' and 'bad' taste and, through extensive interviews with musicians, unlocks some surprising answers. From the award-winning author of The Crimson Petal and the White and Under the Skin, this curious and celebratory book reflects Michel Faber's lifelong obsession with music of all kinds.

                  Listen will change your relationship with the heard world.

                  Creation Rebel

                  Hostile Environment

                    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

                    African Head Charge

                    A Trip To Bolgatanga

                      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

                      Horace Andy

                      Rockers & Scorchers

                        ‘Rockers & Scorchers’ is a 2CD deluxe double album compiling two critically acclaimed albums released by Horace Andy in 2022, as well as previously unreleased bonus tracks.

                        ‘Midnight Rocker’ has been approached in a similar fashion to the late-career quality that producer Adrian Sherwood coaxed out of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry with the ‘Rainford’ and ‘Heavy Rain’ albums, assembling a crack team of players and spending many months perfecting performance, arrangements and mixing.

                        The result is a remarkable suite of tracks that sparkle with superb musicianship, carefully crafted production and Horace’s beautiful vocals. ‘Midnight Scorchers’ is Adrian Sherwood’s ‘sound system’ take on the original ‘Midnight Rocker’ sessions.

                        Featuring new tracks; radical dancehall re-works with MC interjections from Daddy Freddy and Lone Ranger; and stripped back instrumental version excursions in classic dub reggae style.

                        TRACK LISTING

                        CD1
                        1. This Must Be Hell
                        2. Easy Money
                        3. Safe From Harm
                        4. Watch Over Them
                        5. Materialist
                        6. Today Is Right Here
                        7. Try Love
                        8. Rock To Sleep
                        9. Careful
                        10. Mr Bassie
                        11. My Guiding Star (Bonus Track)

                        CD2
                        1. Come After Midnight
                        2. Midnight Scorcher
                        3. Away With The Gun And Knife
                        4. Dirty Money Business
                        5. Sleepy’s Night Cap
                        6. Feverish
                        7. Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City
                        8. Dub Guidance
                        9. More Bassy
                        10. Hell And Back
                        11. Careful (Instrumental) (Bonus
                        Track)

                        Jeb Loy Nichols

                        United States Of The Broken Hearted

                          On-U Sound are proud to present a new album from longtime friend and associate of the label, Jeb Loy Nichols. Produced by Adrian Sherwood, with careful arrangements framing twelve beautiful, acoustic-based songs. The album features contributions from the likes of Martin Duffy (Primal Scream/Felt) and Ivan “Celloman” Hussey, fresh from his work on the massively acclaimed duo of Horace Andy albums, Midnight Rocker and Midnight Scorchers, both of which featured songwriting contributions from Jeb Loy.

                          Jeb Loy comments: "The United States Of The Broken Hearted has been forty years in the making. I’ve known Adrian, and considered him one of my closest friends, for that long. During that time we’ve spent more hours listening, and talking about, music than anything else. Reggae, Country, Folk, Jazz, Soul; it’s been the backdrop to our friendship. Adrian introduced me to some of my favourite music; Count Ossie, Culture, Harry Beckett, Mulatu Astatke. Through the years we’ve listened to Sun Ra, Lee Perry, Ornette Coleman, Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie. A couple years ago, on a visit to Adrian, I mentioned Gram Parsons’s concept of ‘American Cosmic Music’, the melting mix of musical genres that constitutes a uniquely American sound. We talked about recording a record that incorporated all the influences I’d gathered, from Bluegrass to Jazz to Reggae to Soul. The United States Of The Broken Hearted is that record. We wanted to include Folk (Deportees), Country (Satisfied Mind), protest songs (I Hate The Capitalist System), and songs of my own that bore the marks of those that had gone before. I sang the songs and played guitar; Adrian brought in friends and fellow travellers to finish them. It’s all there, Soul, Jazz, Country, Folk; and underlying everything, Adrian’s Reggae infused production.”

                          Adrian Sherwood adds: “This is Jeb’s ‘Great American Songbook’, he’s become such a great singer and songwriter over the years. This is a beautiful piece of work reminiscent of our mutual love for the Miracle album I made with Bim Sherman. I’m really proud of this record and it’s a fitting follow-up to Long Time Traveller.”

                          STAFF COMMENTS

                          Andy says: A lovely pensive selection of acoustic pieces, brimming with feeling, from downbeat cosmic country to more swinging jazzy numbers. there are echoes of dub and jazz, and all topped with JLN's distinctive vocals. Brilliant.

                          TRACK LISTING

                          Monsters On The Hill
                          Big Troubles Come In Small Doors
                          Fold Me Up
                          I Hate The Capitalist System
                          No Hiding Place For Me
                          What Does A Man Do All Day
                          United States Of The Broken Hearted
                          I’m Just A Visitor
                          I’ve Enjoyed As Much Of This Good Life
                          Deportees
                          Looking For Some Rain
                          Satisfied Mind

                          The Missing Brazilians

                          Warzone - 2022 Reissue

                            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

                            Son House

                            Forever On My Mind

                              Edward James "Son" House Jr. was one of the most powerful and influential figures in the Mississippi Delta blues style and was noted for his highly emotional singing and vivid steel guitar playing. After years of hostility to secular music, as a preacher and for a few years also working as a church pastor, he turned to blues performance at the age of 25. House, who lived in the Robinsonville-Lake Cormorant of the Mississippi area in the 1930s and early '40s, was a major influence on both Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters and, in turn, all of the blues. Considered by many to be the greatest bluesman of all time.

                              The following Son House recordings are from the legendary writer, promoter, photographer and blues documentarian, Dick Waterman. A crucial figure in the early '60s revival of a handful of mythical blues artists, Waterman catapulted them to the public consciousness, including the fabled and legendary Son House, who had disappeared shortly after the death of Robert Johnson. Waterman recorded this performance in the spring of 1964, and these nuanced recordings present the elder statesman House as a master of his craft in the highest. These remarkable field tapes were presented to Dan Auerbach, who cleaned them up to the pristine clarity you hear on this album.


                              Chantage (Eve Blouin + Vivien Goldman)

                              It's Only Money - Inc. On-U Sound Dub Version By Adrian Sherwood

                              Chantage are Eve Blouin and Vivien Goldman. This exclusive re-issue features the artwork from the original 7", the extended version of "It's Only Money" from the Chantage 12" and the dub version by Adrian Sherwood which previously was only released on On-U Sound under the project name Playgroup in 1983. Also features Bruce Smith (PopGroup/Slits), Carroll Thompson and Neneh Cherry amongst others.

                              TRACK LISTING

                              A. It's Only Money (Extended Version)
                              B. It's Only Money (On-U Sound Dub Version By Adrian Sherwood)

                              New Age Steppers

                              Action Battlefield

                                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

                                New Age Steppers

                                Foundation Steppers

                                  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

                                  New Age Steppers

                                  New Age Steppers

                                    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

                                    New Age Steppers

                                    Avant Gardening

                                      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

                                      African Head Charge

                                      Songs Of Praise

                                        Originally issued in 1990 and considered by most fans to be AHC’s masterpiece. Religious chants set to an African dub backdrop of layered hand percussion, with a mighty sonic and great musicianship places the record in a unique place. An outernational classic. For this reissue the album has been expanded to a double LP with all the tracks from the original vinyl release plus bonus tracks previously only available on CD. Includes a download card for the full audio plus double-sided poster insert with excerpts from a new interview with band leader Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah.


                                        STAFF COMMENTS

                                        Matt says: Yes there's plenty of get stuck into with AHC, but if you insist on only one - then make this one it! The quintessential set from the pioneering transcendental dub wizards! Every home deserves one...

                                        TRACK LISTING

                                        Side One
                                        1. Free Chant (Churchical Chant Of The Iyabinghi)
                                        2. Orderliness, Godliness, Discipline And Dignity
                                        3. Hymn
                                        4. Dervish Chant

                                        Side Two
                                        5. Hold Some More
                                        6. Healing Father
                                        7. Healing Ceremony
                                        8. Cattle Herders Chant

                                        Side Three
                                        9. Ethiopian Praises
                                        10. My God
                                        11. Gospel Train
                                        12. Chant For The Spirits
                                        13. God Is Great

                                        Side Four
                                        14. Deer Spirit Song
                                        15. Full Charge
                                        16. Fullness
                                        17. Special Mix 

                                        African Head Charge

                                        In Pursuit Of Shashamane Land

                                          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

                                          African Head Charge

                                          Vision Of A Psychedelic Africa

                                            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 

                                            The mighty Upsetter returns with 9 brand new tracks recorded with longtime friend and collaborator Adrian Sherwood at the controls. 'It's the most intimate album Lee has ever made, but at the same time the musical ideas are very fresh. I'm extremely proud of what we've come up as a piece of work'. - Sherwood

                                            This new set is the culmination of over two years work and recording sessions that span Jamaica, Brazil and the UK. Determined to craft a work of lasting power, Sherwood likens to the album to the work that Rick Rubin did with Johnny Cash on the American Recordings series, a deeply personal work (the album title refers to Lee’s birth name) and arguably the strongest batch of original material that Perry has released for many years.

                                            From the atmospheric field recording and wah-wah guitar of album opener “Cricket On The Moon”, to the gothic cello embellishment on “Let It Rain”, the chopped-and-compressed horn section of “Makumba Rock”, to the layered, carefully arranged backing vocals like a heavenly chorus throughout the record, this is an album with true love, care and attention poured into it’s every groove. It culminates in the truly extraordinary “Autobiography Of The Upsetter”, in which Scratch narrates the story of his life from growing up on a plantation in 1930s colonial Jamaica to becoming a worldwide musical superstar.

                                            The story of Lee Perry and Adrian Sherwood collaborating stretches back to the mid-1980s, and a fortuitous meeting brokered by underground broadcasting legend Steve Barker between the dub innovator and UK upstart. This led to the creation of On-U classics such as "Time Boom X De Devil Dead" and "The Mighty Upsetter", as well as Lee gracing Dub Syndicate records with some vital vocal injections.


                                            STAFF COMMENTS

                                            Matt says: A nice, autobiographical styled set by these two reggae legends. Telling a story of Scratch's life whilst demonstrating the varying facets of Sherwoods ingenius production.

                                            TRACK LISTING

                                            1. Cricket On The Moon
                                            2. Run Evil Spirit
                                            3. Let It Rain
                                            4. House Of Angels
                                            5. Makumba Rock
                                            6. African Starship
                                            7. Kill Them Dreams Money Worshippers
                                            8. Children Of The Light
                                            9. Autobiography Of The Upsetter

                                            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.

                                            Coldcut X On-U Sound

                                            Kajra

                                              Following the success of their all-star collaborative project ‘Outside The Echo Chamber’, Coldcut (Ninja Tune co-founders) and Adrian Sherwood (On-U Sound) return with a masterly 10” rework of the Hindi-Urdu love song ’Kajra Mohabbat Wala’. With the help of the late guitarist Babu Choudhary, Coldcut re-recorded the 60s Bollywood classic with cult Indian vocalist Hamsika Iyer before taking it into the On-U Sound sessions.

                                              This previously unreleased extended mix of album highlight ‘Kajra’ has become a favourite tool in Adrian Sherwood sets and the 10” is backed with two new extreme dubs and acapella (plus a digital only remix by Ott).

                                              Heavyweight black 10” in matte varnish sleeve with printed inner and digital download code.


                                              Coldcut (Matt Black and Jon More) and Adrian Sherwood (kingpin of the legendary On-U Sound label) are the perfect sonic match; two pioneers of British music united by a maverick spirit. Coldcut x On-U Sound’s ‘Outside the Echo Chamber’ via Ahead Of Our Time – is an album of freshly-minted, electronic dub-pop. Uniting an array of global musicians and vocalists including Roots Manuva, Junior Reid, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Ce’Cile – to name but a few – and made in London, Ramsgate, Jamaica, and Los Angeles – with co-producer and fellow dance heavyweight Dave Taylor (Switch & With You.) Toddla T also helped produce 2 songs. At the beating heart of this album are long time On-U Sound collaborators Skip McDonald on guitar and bassist Doug Wimbish. These two formed part of the house band for the pioneering rap label Sugar Hill, providing the music for some of the most seminal records of the era like Grandmaster Flash's ‘The Message', and many others. In the bleak political landscape of early 2017, this album’s warmth, and its outward-looking, globally-minded sound couldn’t feel more welcome.

                                              TRACK LISTING

                                              CD:
                                              1. Vitals Feat. Roots Manuva
                                              2. Metro
                                              3. Everyday Another Sanction Feat. Chezidek
                                              4. Make Up Your Mind Feat. Ce’Cile And Toddla T
                                              5. Aztec Riddim
                                              6. Kajra Mohobbat Wala Feat. Hamsika Iyer
                                              7. Divide And Rule Feat. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Junior Reid And Elan
                                              8. Make Up Your Mind Feat. Elan
                                              9. Robbery Feat. Rholin X
                                              10. Livid Hip Hop
                                              11. Vitals Feat. Roots Manuva (Dub)
                                              12. Everyday Another Sanction Feat. Chezidek (Dub)
                                              13. Make Up Your Mind Feat. Ce’Cile And Toddla T (Dub)
                                              14. Kajra Mohobbat Wala Feat. Hamsika Iyer (Dub)
                                              15. Divide And Rule Feat. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Junior Reid And Elan (Dub)
                                              16. Robbery Feat. Rholin X (Dub)

                                              7” Box Set:

                                              A. Everyday Another Sanction Feat. Chezidek
                                              B. Everyday Another Sanction Feat. Chezidek (Dub)

                                              A. Vitals Feat. Roots Manuva
                                              B. Vitals Feat. Roots Manuva (Dub)

                                              A. Robbery Feat. Rholin X
                                              B. Robbery Feat. Rholin X (Dub)

                                              A. Divide And Rule Feat. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Junior Reid And Elan
                                              B. Divide And Rule Feat. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Junior Reid And Elan (Dub)

                                              A. Kajra Mohobbat Wala Feat. Hamsika Iyer (7” Version)
                                              B. Kajra Mohobbat Wala Feat. Hamsika Iyer (7” Dub Version)

                                              A. Make Up Your Mind Feat. Ce’Cile And Toddla T
                                              B. Make Up Your Mind Feat. Elan

                                              A. Metro
                                              B. Livid Hip Hop

                                              A. Aztec Riddim
                                              B. Make Up Your Mind Feat. Ce’Cile And Toddla T (Dub)

                                              Various Artists

                                              Dread Operator From The On-U Sound Archives - Produced By Adrian Sherwood

                                                Hot Milk is back with a crucially wicked box set of some of the most forward thinking and experimental reggae of the early 80’s. Inside you’ll find four studio albums from Adrian Sherwood’s On-U Sound label, including the fourth instalment of the Singers & Players series, two Creation Rebel albums and the other planetary compilation of industrial reggae experiments, Wild Paarty Sounds Vol.1.

                                                Released in 1984 “Leaps & Bounds” by the collective known as Singers & Players features vocal contributions from Prince Far I, Congo Ashanti Roy, Mikey Dread and Bim Sherman. 1981’s “Threat To Creation” is a Creation Rebel/New Age Steppers double billing. Probably the most daring dub album to emerge from the UK, this is the nexus where reggae and post punk collide. Coming out of 1982, Creation Rebel’s “Lows & Highs” featuring vocals from Crucial Tony and Lizard Logan is the most straight ahead reggae album in the box. One for those less experimentally minded, Style Scott lays down the beats next to Eskimo Fox and Donald Campbell. Wild Paarty Sounds is where it all starts to get really weird. There must have been something in the water in 1981, this is Charles and Diana’s child the establishment didn’t want you to know about. An album for those who like reggae influenced by PiL’s Metal Box.

                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                Disc: 1
                                                1: Moses - Singers & Players
                                                2: Make A Joyful Noise - Singers & Players
                                                3: Alla La Dreadlocks Soldier - Singers & Players
                                                4: Autobiography (Dread Operator) - Singers & Players
                                                5: Breaking Down The Pressure - Singers & Players
                                                6: Dog Park - Singers & Players
                                                7: Vegetable Matter - Singers & Players
                                                8: Striving - Singers & Players

                                                Disc: 2
                                                1: Chemical Specialist - Creation Rebel / New Age Steppers
                                                2: Threat To Creation - Creation Rebel / New Age Steppers
                                                3: Eugenic Device - Creation Rebel / New Age Steppers
                                                4: Last Sane Dream - Creation Rebel / New Age Steppers
                                                5: Painstaker - Creation Rebel / New Age Steppers
                                                6: Earthwire Line - Creation Rebel / New Age Steppers
                                                7: Ethos Design - Creation Rebel / New Age Steppers
                                                8: Final Frontier - Creation Rebel / New Age Steppers

                                                Disc: 3
                                                1: Independent Man (Part 1) - Creation Rebel
                                                2: Independent Man (Part 2) - Creation Rebel
                                                3: Rebel Party - Creation Rebel
                                                4: A Reasoning - Creation Rebel
                                                5: No Peace - Creation Rebel
                                                6: Love I Can Feel - Creation Rebel
                                                7: Rubber Skirt (Parts 1 / 2 / 3) - Creation Rebel
                                                8: Creation Rebel - Creation Rebel
                                                9: Creative Involvements - Creation Rebel
                                                10: Read And Learn (B-Side Of Single) - Creation Rebel

                                                Disc: 4
                                                1: Woodpecker Sound - Jah Woosh
                                                2: Bed Bound Saga - Machine Gun Hogg & Co
                                                3: Quante Jubila - Prince Far I & Creation Rebel
                                                4: Quit The Body - The Chicken Granny
                                                5: Parasitic Machine - Alan Pillay
                                                6: Dreams Are Better - London Underground
                                                7: Asian Rebel - Suns Of Arqa
                                                8: Demonic Forces - Alan Pillay
                                                9: Afghani Dub - The Mothmen
                                                10: Things That Made U.S. - Jeb Loy & The Oil Wells
                                                11: Yipee I Aah - New Age Steppers
                                                12: The Dice - Judy Nylon

                                                Singers & Players

                                                Staggering Heights

                                                  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

                                                  Drastic Season

                                                    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

                                                    African Head Charge

                                                    Environmental Studies

                                                      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 

                                                      Singers & Players

                                                      Revenge Of The Underdog

                                                        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

                                                        Sherwood & Pinch

                                                        Late Night Endless

                                                          '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?


                                                          Conquering Animal Sound

                                                          On Floating Bodies

                                                            ‘On Floating Bodies’ is Conquering Animal Sound’s first album on Chemikal Underground, and the follow up to their SAY Award shortlisted debut, 2011’s ‘Kammerspiel’, released via Gizeh Records.

                                                            A compelling slice of ethereal, multi-layered electronica, the Glasgow duo’s work is characterised by Anneke’s extraordinary vocals.

                                                            21st Century pop refracted through the prism of keen minds: atomised, deconstructed and reassembled; an ouroboros of ideas and ideals, endlessly innovating itself.

                                                            TRACK LISTING

                                                            Ultimate Heat Death Of The Universe
                                                            The Future Does Not Require
                                                            Warn Me
                                                            No Dream
                                                            I’ll Be Your Mirror
                                                            Gloss
                                                            A Noise Remains
                                                            Ipse
                                                            Mimese
                                                            Treehouse
                                                            Inner / Outer / Other

                                                            Adrian Sherwood

                                                            Survival & Resistance

                                                              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.

                                                              Pope

                                                              Pope On A Rope

                                                                Simon Somatic is a London based lo-fi producer who has been churning out abrasive, home-made mashups of Industrial, Punk, Thrash and Alternative for going on 10 years. His lyrics stole primarily from Zappa, Morrissey & Mark E Smith, and were delivered via sarcastic talk-singing, or with the rage of a Tom Araya struck down by self-awareness.

                                                                His 12th record, Pope On a Rope brings this tinpot M.O. to some kind of a close, stripping away the distortion to reveal the cheap noises beneath, in a self-set challenge to try and leaven these sounds with organic material and render them soulful. Influences this time include Syd Barrett, Squarepusher, & Ivor Cutler.

                                                                Nightmares On Wax

                                                                In A Space Outta Sound

                                                                  "In A Space Outta Sound" harks back to the trippy beats of NOW's sophmore album "Smokers Delight", woven together with some heavy references from older dub reggae sounds, recalling Prince Far I and Lee Perry, or subtle 70s soul and soul-jazz grooves. This is George Evelyn, aka EASE's fifth album for Warp in a discography that spans over ten years. Nightmares On Wax is one of Warp's biggest selling and longstanding artists and is most famously known for his "Smokers Delight" album, now regarded as one of the classic downbeat albums of the 90s.


                                                                  Just In

                                                                  121 NEW ITEMS

                                                                  Latest Pre-Sales

                                                                  172 NEW ITEMS

                                                                  E-newsletter —
                                                                  Sign up
                                                                  Back to top