You're Gonna Need Somebody Else

The first Dubhed excursion into reggae and dub soundscapes of 2026, with thirteen irresistible grooves to transport and transform you.

The selection spans over half a century from Derrick Morgan in 1968, through to Panda Bear and Sonic Boom's dub extravaganza, courtesy of Adrian Sherwood in 2023.

Sherwood's not the only master at the controls, he's joined by Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Bunny 'Striker' Lee, Tapper Zukie, Mad Professor, Jah Thomas and Scientist.

The line-up alone should give you a heads up that this is heavyweight. Turn the bass up, turn your phone off and let yourself go.

1) Midnight Calling: Roger Rivas ft. The Brothers Of Reggae  (2014)

2) Kaya (Album Version): Bob Marley & The Wailers (1971)

3) The Sun: Burning Spear (1977)

4) No Man Is An Island (Single Version) (Cover of Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians): Johnny Clarke (1975)

5) Siren Dub: Danny Red (2016)

6) Zion: Knowledge (1978)

7) Rebel Rock: Mad Professor (1983)

8) Whirlpool Dub (Adrian Sherwood 'Reset In Dub’ Version): Panda Bear & Sonic Boom (2023)

9) Do The Beng Beng: Derrick Morgan (1968)

10) Yipee I Aah: New Age Steppers (1981)

11) Magic Touch: Glen DaCosta (1976)

12) Trade It All For More: Pama International (2009)

13) Keep On Dubbing: The Roots Radics (1981)

1968: Do The Beng Beng EP: 9

1971: Soul Revolution Part II: 2

1975: No Man Is An Island EP: 4

1976: Soldier & Police War / Magic Touch EP: 11

1977: Dry And Heavy: 3

1978: Hail Dread: 6

1981: Roots Splashdown: 13

1981: Wild Paarty Sounds: 10

1983: Dub Me Crazy Pt.3: The African Connection: 7

2009: Pama Outernational: 12

2014: Last Goodbye: 1

2016: Red And Conscious: 5

2023: Reset in Dub: 8

You're Gonna Need Somebody Else (45:59) (GD) (M)

I've created many dub-inflected selections in the past five years, too many to share them all today, but here's six from the archives to keep the vibe alive.

May 2021: Dubhed Excursion To The Outer Limits

June 2022: Tomorrow Is Promised To No One

July 2022: SunDub

April 2023: Dubby Happy People

June 2024: Growing In My Backyard

June 2025: Keep The Fire Burning Inside

Under Dub Covers

I love reggae and dub and I love cover versions and it's been a while since I've posted either, so I've mashed them up in one (nearly) hour-long selection.

A 15-track compendium, mostly 21st Century, but with a clutch of 1970s classics thrown in for good measure. I couldn't decide between two Nicky Thomas covers so they both went in!

Nicky's in good company: Rhoda Dakar, 15 16 17, Hollie Cook, Brown Sugar, Xan Tyler, Earl 16, Dr. Israel, LSK, Peter Tosh, Suggs, Little Roy, Prince Fatty, Mad Professor and Adrian Sherwood.

Proof of concept, if needed, that every song should have a mandatory reggae version.
 

1) Everyday Is Like Sunday (Cover of Morrissey): Rhoda Dakar (2021)

2) Brain Damage (Cover of Pink Floyd): Easy Star All-Stars ft. Dr. Israel (2003)

3) Lola (Cover of The Kinks): Nicky Thomas (1974)

4) Love Will Tear Us Apart (Single Version) (Cover of Joy Division): Capitol 1212 ft. Earl Sixteen (2020)

5) Space Oddity (Dubmix) (Cover of David Bowie): Adrian Sherwood ft. LSK aka Leigh Kenny (2012) 

6) Here Comes The Sun (Single Version) (Cover of The Beatles): Peter Tosh & The Wailers (1971)

7) Lets Go Crazy (Cover of Prince & The Revolution): Radio Riddler ft. Suggs (2014)

8) Emotion (Album Version By Castro Brown & Dennis Bovell) (Cover of Samantha Sang): 15 16 17 (1978)

9) Lithium (Album Version By Prince Fatty) (Cover of Nirvana): Little Roy (2011)

10) And The Beat Goes On (Dub) (Cover of The Whispers): Prince Fatty & Hollie Cook (2012)

11) Guns Of Brixton (Manasseh Dub 5) (Remix By Nick Raphael) (Cover of The Clash): Dub Spencer & Trance Hill (2020)

12) Lay Lady Lay / In The Midnight Hour (Medley) (Cover of Bob Dylan / Wilson Pickett): Nicky Thomas (1972)

13) Hello Stranger (Cover of Barbara Lewis): Brown Sugar (1977)

14) Be Here To Love Me (Cover of Townes Van Zandt): Xan Tyler & Mad Professor (2021)

15) Master Blaster (Vocal Version) (Cover of Stevie Wonder): Dubby Wonder ft. Eugene Tambourine (2022) 

1971: Here Comes The Sun EP: 6

1972: Tell It Like It Is: 12

1974: Lola EP: 3

1977: Hello Stranger EP: 13

2003: Dub Side Of The Moon: 2

2005: Magic Touch: 8

2011: Battle For Seattle: 9

2012: Prince Fatty Presents Hollie Cook In Dub: 10

2012: Space Oddity EP: 5

2014: Purple Reggae: 7

2020: Guns Of Brixton EP: 11

2020: Love Will Tear Us Apart EP: 4

2021: Clarion Call: 14

2021: Everyday Is Like Sunday EP: 1

2022: Master Blaster EP: 15

Under Dub Covers (58:56) (GD) (M)

Dub Disco

Continuing with yesterday's extended 12" tip, here's seven songs stretched out into discomixes and dub excursions by some of the finest producers ever to step on this planet.

I'd love to say that my shelves are crammed with well-loved and oft-played reggae and dub 12" vinyl. Sadly, not the case. Thankfully, so much has been released on CD and digitally in the last two or three decades that I've been able to regularly satisify my voracious appetite for the music and the artists and producers that created it.

 

Another hour long selection, the shortest version on here clocking in at eight and a half minutes, the longest just shy of nine and three quarters, all solid gold. And a reminder of when UB40 were really good.

 

I usually list the EP or album that the song originally appeared on. This time, I've listed the compilation that I first discovered the version on. Physical copies still out of print in many cases, but possibly slightly easier to track down...and afford.

 

Enjoy!

 

1) Prophecy (Discomix By Lloyd Coxsone): Fabian (1977)

2) Know Love (Discomix By Lee 'Scratch' Perry): The Twin Roots (1977)

3) Pure Ranking (Discomix By King Tubby): Horace Andy (1979)

4) Liberated Woman (Album Version By Mad Professor): Ranking Ann (1982)

5) Rasta Train (Discomix By Lee 'Scratch' Perry): Raphael Green & Dr. Alimantado (1977)

6) All I Can Say (Album Version By Bullwackie): Love Joys (1983)

7) The Earth Dies Screaming (12" Version By Ray 'Pablo' Falconer): UB40 (1980)

 

1982: A Slice Of English Toast: 4 

1983: Lovers Rock Reggae Style: 6

1997: Good Vibes: 3 

2005: Trojan Roots & Culture Box Set: 5

2012: Lee 'Scratch' Perry & Friends: Disco Devil: The Jamaican Discomixes: 2 

2014: 12"/80s New Wave: 7

2015: Island Records Presents Reggae Discomixes: 22 Essential Extended Mixes: 1

Dub Disco (1:02:00) (KF) (Mega)

Growing In My Backyard

Sun is shining, bass is booming, rhythm is rocksteady...must be be another Sunday reggae and dub session.

Hometown rockers Talisman get things off to a superb start with the 11-minute 12" mix of Dole Age, originally a vinyl side in 1981, introduced to a whole new audience (me included) with the excellent 2011 compilation The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983. An essential purchase.

From there, it's a mix of 20th and 21st century sounds. The latter is represented by all-female combo Tight Spot with an unreleased song discovered and released by Happy People Records on 7" vinyl in 2021. An album highlight of the same year was Clarion Call by Xan Tyler and Mad Professor, delivering sharp lyrics with sweet rhythms. Rhoda Dakar delivers a David Bowie classic with aplomb, offering up a dubbed out version on the flipside. And three legends come together, with Horace Andy teaming up with Sly & Robbie for a modern dub colossus.

There's a brief stop in the 1990s to witness Benjamin Zephaniah and The Hazardous Dub Company with a cautionary tale that sadly resonates three decades later.

Back then to the 1970s and 1980s, a veritable who's who of reggae, lovers rock and dub legends, with Bob Marley & The Wailers versus a pre-'Scratch' Lee Perry, Louisa Mark, Tapper Zukie, Sylvia Tella and King Tubby dubbing up Yabby You. 

 

In 2021, Happy People also offered up a deep cut vinyl 7" by G.T. Moore & The Reggae Guitars. Remembered as the first white group to attempt an authentic reggae sound on record, their self-titled debut in 1974 closed with a version of Bob Dylan's Knocking On Heaven's Door. Sound familiar? Well, this guy had a hit with an 'inspired' version less than a year later...

Ending the selection the only way possible, Black Uhuru sing the praises of Sinsemilla, the title track of their third album from 1980 and the record that crossed over to a global audience. Michael Rose, Sharon 'Puma' Jones and Derrick 'Duckie' Simpson telling it how it is, Sly & Robbie laying it down. It doesn't get much better than this.

 

1) Dole Age (12" Mix By Talisman & UK Scientist aka Richard Grassby-Lewis): Talisman (1981)

2) Air Tight (Version By Spero Anthony): Tight Spot (2003)

3) Like Birds: Xan Tyler & Mad Professor (2021)

4) Spell (Album Version By Lloyd Charmers & Maxi Million): Sylvia Tella (1981)

5) The Man Who Dubbed The World (Cover of David Bowie): Rhoda Dakar (2022)

6) I'm Alive Dub: Horace Andy + Sly & Robbie (2006)

7) Allies (Album Version By Dr. Love & Dennis Rootical): Benjamin Zephaniah & The Hazardous Dub Company (1995)

8) Firey Dub (Version By King Tubby): Yabby You (1977)

9) Rush I Some Dub: Tapper Zukie (1977)

10) Sun Is Shining (Dub) (Version By Bob Marley & Lee Perry): Bob Marley & The Wailers (1971)

11) Keep It Like It Is (Album Version By Clement 'Bush Ranger' Bushay): Louisa Mark (1981)

12) People (Who Killed People) (Album Version By Gerald Thomas Moore & Tony Braunagel): G.T. Moore & The Reggae Guitars (1975)

13) Sinsemilla (Album Version By Sly & Robbie): Black Uhuru (1980)

1971: Soul Revolution Part II ('Rhythm' Version): 10

1975: Reggae Blue: 12

1977: King Tubby Meet Vivian Jackson (Yabby You): 8

1977: Tapper Zukie In Dub: 9

1980: Sinsemilla: 13

1981: Breakout: 11

1981: Dole Age EP: 1

1981: Spell: 4 

1995: Back To Roots: 7 

2006: Dubbin' It Up: 6

2021: Clarion Call: 3

2021: Time Heals Everything EP: 2

2022: The Man Who Sold The World EP: 5

Growing In My Backyard (57:45) (GD) (M)

Mad Dub

An hour (more or less) of Mad Professor aka Neil Fraser to dub up your Sunday. 

 

Fourteen collaborations with or dubs for other artists, spanning an incredible four decades and providing a perfect excuse to sit down and chill out. Just like this ring-tailed lemur, that seemed largely indifferent to the agog Clan K standing just a couple of feet away at Wild Place in Bristol a couple of weekends ago.

Sticking with Bristol, the earliest song in this selection is by Restriction from 1983. The band featured Rob Smith (of Smith & Mighty and RSD fame) and came to my attention via the excellent compilations issued by Bristol Archive Records. 

Another Bristol act who really need no introduction is Massive Attack and, to be honest, I could easily have stuck with a Mad Professor selection just focusing on the many top-notch dubs he's produced for them since the 1990s. I have plumped for a Protection-era version but one which didn't appear on the companion album, instead popping up on a compilation to raise money for the charity Shelter. As an added bonus, it's a dub of Better Things, featuring Tracey Thorn. 

Sticking with the more obscure is Mad Professor's dubby vocal mix of Chapterhouse's 1991 song Mesmerise. I think it was one of several remixes of early 1990s indie acts commissioned exclusively for the 1999 film Splendor. I bought the soundtrack CD, I've never seen the film.

 

Slick Sixty make their second appearance this week (a Justin Robertson remix appeared in Friday's selection), not bad for an act who only released three singles, two promos and one album in their lifetime. 

Rather more well known but possibly an unexpected choice are Depeche Mode. Slowblow was a B-side to 1997 single It's No Good but Mad Professor's dub remained unreleased until the Depeche Mode Remixes 81···04 in 2004 and even then only as a limited 'rare tracks' download companion available on their official website. 

The selection draws to a close with Mad Professor's inspired partnership with Xan Tyler on one of my favourite albums of 2022, Clarion Call. This is a dub of their version of Townes Van Zandt's 1969 song Be Here To Love Me and available as a bonus track on the digital edition of Clarion Call. Recommended.

 

1) Love Is Stronger Than Pride (Mad Professor Mix): Sade (1992)

2) Life's A Beach (Mad Professor Dub): Django Django (2022)

3) Restriction (Single Version By Restriction & Mad Professor): Restriction (1983)

4) Jamaica (Mad Professor Dub): Van She (2012)

5) Analógica Dub (Remix By Mad Professor): Frente Cumbiero (2010)

6) Dubbing Home: Bob Andy & Mad Professor (1989)

7) Guilt-Edged (Single Version By Tony McDermott & Mad Professor): Champion Doug Veitch & The Igbira Nation (1984)

8) Margo's B&B (Mad Professor's B&B): Slick Sixty (1998)

9) Slowblow (Mad Professor Mix): Depeche Mode (1997)

10) Marijuana Dub: Mad Professor & Prince Fatty ft. Earl Sixteen (2015)

11) Suck Me Up Dub (Remix By Mad Professor): Massive Attack ft. Tracey Thorn (1995)

12) Mesmerise (The Mesmerising Vocal Mix By Mad Professor): Chapterhouse (1998)

13) Free South Africa (Dub) (Remix By Lindel Lewis & Mad Professor): Benjamin Zephaniah (1983)

14) Be Here To Dub Me (Cover of 'Be Here To Love Me' by Townes Van Zandt): Xan Tyler & Mad Professor (2021)

1984: Not The Heart EP: 7

1989: Bob Andy's Dub Book: As Revealed To Mad Professor: 6

1989: Rasta (bonus tracks) (Switzerland CD): 13

1992: Feel No Pain EP: 1

1997: Foundations: Coming Up From The Streets: 11

1998: The Wrestler EP: 8 

1999: Splendor OST: 12

2004: Depeche Mode Remixes 81···04 (Rare Tracks): 9

2010: Frente Cumbiero Meets Mad Professor: 5

2011: The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983: 3

2013: Modular Presents Modyssey: 4 

2015: Mad Professor Meets Prince Fatty In The Clone Theory: 10

2021: Clarion Call (bonus tracks): 14

2022: Django Django Meets Mad Professor: A Dub Rework: 2

Mad Dub (59:28) (Box) (Mega)

Django Django In Dub

My shopping spree on Friday increased my existing collection of three Django Django songs (two are remixes of the same song) by 1,800%.

I belated got their debut self-titled album in it's 10th anniversary deluxe edition, the big draw being Django Django Meets Mad Professor: A Dub Rework, the entire album recycled and dubbed up a la Massive Attack's No Protection. It was probably in a review of the latter that someone opined that all albums should have a Mad Professor dub companion and I can see their point.

A few days in and I'll confess that I haven't yet listened to the parent album but the dub rework is all that I could have hoped for and then some. 

Not content with that, I also bought the remix album Hi Djinx! which accompanied the original debut, a mix of styles and genres but with a few dub inflected excursions from the likes of Adrian Sherwood and Bullion aka Nathan Taylor. 

I also  picked up a few EPs, released around the time of their second and third albums, featuring Wrongtom aka Tom Robinson and Peaking Lights aka husband and wife duo Aaron Coyes and Indra Dunis. The former is firmly rooted in dub, the latter influenced maybe but taking a more psychedelic path to close out this half hour selection.

Today's photo is The Knife Angel, which has been touring nationally since 2018 and is in Gloucester this month, in the grounds of the cathedral. Created by sculptor Alfie Bradley, it's an awe-inspiring, thought-provoking artwork that stands as a national monument against violence and aggression. You can read the story of The Knife Angel and the victims of knife crime that inspired it here and here.

1) Hand Of Man (Mad Professor Dub) (2022)

2) Fountains (The Incredible Shrinking Dub) (Remix By Wrongtom) (2018)

3) Skies Over Cairo (Mad Professor Dub) (2022)

4) Skies Over Cairo (Bullion Version) (2012)

5) WOR (Adrian Sherwood's Hey Gringo Remix) (2012)

6) First Light (Wrongtom Dub) (2015)

7) Love's Dart (Mad Professor Dub) (2022)

8) Love's Dart (Peaking Lights Remix) (2016)

Django Django In Dub (29:45) (Box) (Mega)

SunDub

Another Sunday dub excursion, with a generous helping of Rob Smith. Mad Professor and Prince Fatty, with a side serving of Adrian Sherwood, Youth and Gaudi.

 

1) Yak Dub: Alien Dread (2004)

2) Dub Mentality (Live @ Festimad Festival, Madrid, 2nd May 1998): Asian Dub Foundation (1998)

3) Free South Africa (Dub) (Remix By Lindel Lewis & Mad Professor): Benjamin Zephaniah (1983)

4) Bad Man (Dub By RSD aka Rob Smith): Horace Andy ft. Million Teeth (2013)

5) Ragga Muffin Style (Dub) (Remix By Rob Smith): Jah Stitch (2015)

6) North, East, West, South (Prince Fatty Dub): The Last Poets (2019)

7) Idi Amin Dub: Mad Professor & Prince Fatty (2015)

8) Afghani Dub (Version By Adrian Sherwood): The Mothmen (1981)

9) Kung Fu Battle Ina Brixton (Dub): Prince Fatty (2012)

10) Hip Dub: Vivian Weathers (1978)

11) Ganjaman (Deep Fried Dub Remix): Youth & Gaudi (2020)

1978: Bad Weather: 10

1981: Wild Paarty Sounds: 8

1989: Rasta (bonus tracks): 3

1998: Black White EP: 2

2012: Kung Fu Battle Ina Brixton EP: 9

2013: Broken Beats: 4

2015: Mad Professor Meets Prince Fatty In The Clone Theory: 7

2015: Mixwork In Dub: 5

2017: Conquering Dub (Expanded Edition): 1

2019: Understand What Dub Is: 6

2020: Astronaut Alchemists Remixes: 11

SunDub (42:57) (GD) (M)

The Undisputed King Of Caledonian Cajun Swing

I resisted yesterday's subliminal suggestion from Ernie Goggins* to post a Status Quo selection today (with apologies also to Jez**). Instead, you get Champion Doug Veitch, for my money the better option (with apologies again to Jez).

 

A much later posting today, following yesterday's festivities (my family, not the Royal family) and a slight musical detour that turned out to be rather unnecessary. When I woke up a couple of hours ago, this post still a half-formed thought, the sum total of my Champion Doug Veitch collection was the three 12" singles you see pictured above. I got them all in one go, in a bulk-buy second-hand 12" purchase from Plastic Wax Records in Bristol, many years ago.

However, a quick bit of research revealed that The Original, the 1989 compilation of these and other singles plus a few John Peel session tracks, was available on Apple Music but nowhere else as far as I could tell. I don't buy music from Apple as a rule, although I did have an iTunes gift voucher a long, long time ago. I know this because when I logged on to my Apple account, I was still registered at the Bristol address I left over a decade ago. Anyway, I threw caution to the wind and parted with £7.99 for a download of The Original. Be nice to have a digital copy, I thought, as the part-completed rips of my vinyl are a bit crackly.

It turns out that the Apple Music version of The Original is ripped from an even more crackly vinyl than mine! Buyer beware...

Anyway, I've stuck with the three 12" singles I physically own for today's selection, presenting 6 tracks in 27 minutes, guaranteed to bring some extra sunshine into your life, wherever you are.

 

Margarita is a cover of Trinidadian calypso legend Slinger Francisco aka Mighty Sparrow. There's a great performance of Margarita and Mharajin Sister from 1989's Notting Hill Carnival on YouTube, Mighty Sparrow and band in fine form. 

 

Jumping Into Love is a reworking of Marcia Griffiths' 1968 hit Feel Like Jumping. Cue another fantastic performance at the Rototom Sunsplash festival in Benicasim, Spain in 2019. Marcia was 69 at the time of this show though you'd hardly know it.

 

The Banks Are Made Of Marble was written and recorded by Les Rice in 1950. I don't think I've ever heard the original, though I was vaguely familiar with the song from Pete Seeger's version before I came to this.

One Black Night was original released as a 4-track 12" in 1985. I've instead gone for the Mad Professor remix from the Margarita 12", along with further dub excursions of Jumping Into Love and Margarita to round things off.

 

1) Margarita (12" Mix By Tony McDermott) (Cover of Mighty Sparrow) (1986)

2) Jumping Into Love (Full Length Mix By Tony McDermott & Mad Professor) (1985)

3) Banks Of Marble (Single Version By Tony McDermott) (Cover of Les Rice) (1985)

4) One Black Night (Re-Mix By Mad Professor) (1986)

5) Deep End Version (Full Length Mix By Tony McDermott & Mad Professor) (1985)

6) Margarita (Mix Mescales By Mad Professor) (1986)

 

1985: Jumping Into Love EP: 2, 5

1985: One Black Night EP: 3 

1986: Margarita EP: 1, 4, 6

The Undisputed King Of Caledonian Cajun Swing (27:10)

 

 

 

* An essential visit after this post is the excellent 27 Leggies. I've lost track of how many fantastic artists and sounds from around the globe I've been introduced to via Ernie's posts and today is no exception.

 

** A History Of Dubious Taste is also a permanent fixture on the sidebar to the right. Jez's music selections and musings are always good value and his Friday Night Music Club mixes are inspired.

Fear No Evil, Fear No Person, Fear No Spirit, Fear Nobody

Today's selection highlights 10 of my favourite albums from 2021. They're not ranked or scored, simply listed by the order that I sequenced the tracks for this playlist. This was initially a 'draft' post: due to life and stuff, I ran out of time to add comments on why I like these albums so much, but in a Christmas Eve update, here are my 10:

All Of Us: 10:40

My entry point was in Bagging Area in April, via the re-edit of Spacemen 3's How Does It Feel?, which inevitably led to Bandcamp, both the excellent Paisley Dark label and 10:40's debut album. The latter is almost an hour of dub-influenced beats and ambient washes, with hints of vocals threaded throughout. It was just the beginning of what has been a prolific year for Jesse Fahnestock, not only with 10:40 but with Emilia Harmony as Electric Blue Vision and Darren Bell as Jezebell. I'm looking forward to what comes next in 2022.

 

Catastrophe Hits: Broken Chanter

A pre-release recommendation by The Vinyl Villain in October, I bought the CD on spec and I wasn't disappointed. JC writes far more eloquently about the album than I can and closes his review with the comment that Catastrophe Hits "could well be the musical equivalent of the vaccination programme. Overdue, much needed, and a real shot in the arm." I won't argue with that.

 

Flock: Jane Weaver

I had a few songs here and there, but Flock was the first full album purchase I made. From what I can gather this is Jane's most overtly pop-oriented album to date and yes, it's choc-full of hooks, but with characteristic psych/prog/motorik undertones. Heartlow sets the tone and it flows seamlessly from there, 10 songs in 44 minutes. It's hard to pick a favourite, even from the singles, but Sunset Dreams deserves a special mention.

 

'NINE': SAULT

I'm often late to the party and, whilst I'd read about the mysterious collective led by Dean Josiah Cover aka Inflo, it was their drop of 'NINE' as a limited, 99-day release that prompted me to buy this and their entire album back catalogue in one fell swoop. SAULT's first album, 5, came out in May 2019; by June 2021, they were on album number 5, including two doubles. What's incredible is that this is definitely not a case of quantity over quality. Whether played as full albums or random shuffle playlists, SAULT's music is astonishing.

 

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert: Little Simz

Inflo was at the controls for what has turned out to be one of the year's highlights, also the fifth offering from Simbiatu Ajikawo aka Little Simz. I was aware of her and quite liked what I'd heard, but it was The Robster's post on Is This The Life? as part of his 50th birthday celebration in July that hooked me, with the stunning Introvert. I pre-ordered the album and it's one of those rare new releases that exceeds the hype and expectation. It's best listened to as a whole, the received pronunciation of guest narrator Emma Corrin can sometimes be a bit grating in isolation, but makes perfect sense as a full work. The breadth of influences and styles is breath-taking and the overarching personal narrative sets Little Simz as a unique and compelling voice.

 

Boy From Michigan: John Grant

I'm biased: I have loved every album that John Grant has released since Queen Of Denmark; I've probably said this before each time too, but this is arguably his best album to date. I guess a lot will rest on whether you have shared Grant's love of and commitment to electronica or wish he would return more fully to the Midlake-supported  70s sounds of his solo debut - I'm firmly in the former camp. Collaborating with Cate Le Bon on production was an inspired move. The Only Baby was an acutely well-timed lead single back in January and the quality of the album doesn't falter. It's a long album - 12 songs in 75 minutes - but never overstays it's welcome.

 

Animal: LUMP

Laura Marling and Mike Lindsay's second collaboration as LUMP wasn't something I'd assumed would happen, so it was a pleasant surprise to discover the lead single and title track back in May. I predicted back then that the forthcoming album would be a personal favourite of this year and here it is. Marling's lyrics are as sharp as ever: first track Bloom At Night opens with  

I heard a word that they paint mirrors on their face
And soon forget that they reflect but don’t create

 

and final song Phantom Limb closes with Marling reciting the album's production credits. She maintains a slightly distanced, emotionless tone throughout the album, juxtaposed with earthy, organic sounds, which provides a compelling tension.

 

The Art Of Losing: The Anchoress

Catherine Anne Davies' collaboration with Bernard Butler, In Memory Of My Feelings, was a 2020 highlight, which prompted me to purchase her 2nd album as The Anchoress in March, and her debut album a month or so later. It's a classic album in the sense of it's song structures, full of melodic and lyrical hooks. I had hoped to see The Anchoress supporting Manic Street Preachers live in concert in October. Unfortunately, Catherine had to withdraw from live commitments on health grounds due to the pandemic. In the end, I also had to pull out of going to the Manics gig (although that had a happier ending, with the ticket going to a good home). Pandemic permitting, The Anchoress will be on a solo tour in 2022 and I hope to experience these songs performed on stage. I think it'll be awesome.

 

Clarion Call: Xan Tyler & Mad Professor

When putting together posts for this blog, I'll often pick up on a song randomly or one that's perhaps languishing in my "haven't played for years" list and this can often lead me down a rabbit hole, discovering other music by the same artist. And so it was with Xan Tyler. Twenty years on from a previous collaboration with Mad Professor, July saw a new album Clarion Call, which I discovered in October as part of my research for the aforementioned post. It's been on repeated plays since and it's a wonderful mix of emotionally charged lyrics and uplifting dub sounds. I frequently listen to opener Why Do You Lie and think it's a comment on the current government, particularly the lumpen oaf in charge.

 

De Película: The Limiñanas / Laurent Garnier

An obvious choice perhaps, but the music and video for Que Calor ! reach out and grab you by the shoulders, shaking off the malaise and compel you to groove (warning: less advisable if working at height and in charge of heavy machinery). The album itself is a wild, hour-long ride and, whilst it may be less ground-breaking than some of the other albums on this list, it's one that cried out for the repeat button as soon as the final track ends. Another album that I pre-ordered following a Bagging Area recommendation in May and was it worth the wait.

Here's one selection from each album, apart from the Little Simz two-hander, which deserves not to be separated:

1) The Forever Yes (Album Version): 10:40

2) Allow Yourself: Broken Chanter

3) Heartlow: Jane Weaver

4) Trap Life: SAULT

5) Point And Kill / Fear No Man (Album Version): Little Simz ft. Obongjayar

6) Your Portfolio: John Grant

7) Animal: LUMP

8) Let It Hurt: The Anchoress

9) Why Do You Lie: Xan Tyler & Mad Professor

10) Que Calor ! (Album Version): The Limiñanas / Laurent Garnier ft. Edi Pistolas

 

Fear No Evil, Fear No Person, Fear No Spirit, Fear Nobody (49:14)

I've Lost All The Fears That Appeared In The Dark

I hadn't planned on posting any "best of 2021" lists just yet. Today's selection started off as a slightly downtempo, chilled mix as a reaction of sorts to yesterday's more frenetic festive fun. There's been so much good music this year that it ended up as a kind of alternative selection of some of my favourite albums, singles and remixes from the last 12 months. I've enthused about Andy Bell, Pye Corner Audio, Jane Weaver, Kelsey Lu, Dennis Bovell, Xan Tyler & Mad Professor, Richard Norris and SAULT previously, and this isn't the first selection to end with a remix of Walking In The Sun by Andres Y Xavi, but for a done-in-one-take sequence, I'm pretty happy with the end result. 

 

The world outside is still shrouded in fog and morning dew, but the sunshine is imbuing the haze with a golden glow that feels somewhat magical. I'll take that.

1) Pervitin (The Saw Torture) (Violeta Vicci Remix): The Orb

2) Ever New (Kelsey Lu's Transportation): Beverly Glenn-Copeland

3) Golden Ratio: Chez De Milo

4) For Alice: The Affectionate Punch

5) Lux: Jane Weaver

6) I Was Alone (Pye Corner Audio Remix): Andy Bell

7) Swanky Modes (Dennis Bovell DubMix Instrumental): JARV IS...

8) Left Dub: Xan Tyler & Mad Professor

9) Meet Me At Midnight (Justin Robertson's Temple Of Wonders Remix): D:Ream

10) Never Make Promises (Interlude): Little Simz

11) All Shall Be Well: The Anchoress

12) Alcohol: SAULT

13) Stay Here (Coyote Remix): Super FU

14) Water (Pulselovers Remix): Richard Norris ft. Bishi Bhattacharya

15) It's Kinda Funny (Cover of Josef K): Douglas MacIntyre

16) Quaquaversal: James Bright

17) Walking In The Sun (Xavi's Pianopella): Andres Y Xavi ft. Rolo McGinty

I've Lost All The Fears That Appeared In The Dark (1:16:01)

From Fantasy To Reality

My inspirational teacher was Jackie Barrow, who taught English in my last couple of years of secondary school. If I had to pick one thing that opened my mind up to the possibilities of a bigger world beyond our predominantly white working- & middle-class suburban bubble, it would be introducing me to the poetry of Benjamin Zephaniah and Linton Kwesi Johnson. It's fair to say that a fair chunk of the class were unmoved by their poems, but it made a huge impact on me, beginning a lifelong interest in their work. So  when I discovered that both had released albums, setting their poetry to music, of course it was a win-win.

 

Both continue to write, perform, challenge and inspire today. 

Side One

1) Fantasy Poem (Single Version By Mad Professor): Benjamin Zephaniah (1982)

2) Wat About Di Working Claas? (Album Version By Linton Kwesi Johnson & Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1984)

3) I Am A Revolutionary (Album Version By The Sea aka Corin Pennington): Benjamin Zephaniah ft. Logic aka Declan Davids (2017)

4) If I Waz A Tap Natch Poet (Album Version By Linton Kwesi Johnson & Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1998)

5) Rong Radio Station (Album Version By Trevor Morais): Benjamin Zephaniah ft. Dennis Bovell (2005)

Side Two

1) Di Black Petty Booshwah (12" Version By Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1980)

2) Dis Policeman Keeps On Kicking Me To Death (Lord Scarman Dub): Benjamin Zephaniah (1983)

3) Reggae Fi Peach (Album Version By Linton Kwesi Johnson & Black Beard aka Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1980)

4) I Have A Dream (Album Version By Luke Slater): L.B. Dub Corp ft. Benjamin Zephaniah (2013)

5) Reality Poem (Album Version By Linton Kwesi Johnson & Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1979)

 

1979: Forces Of Victory: B5

1980: Bass Culture: B3

1980: De Black Petty Booshwah 12": B1

1982: Dub Ranting EP: A1

1983: Rasta: B2

1984: Making History: A2

1998: More Time: A4 

2005: Naked: A5

2013: Unknown Origin: B4

2017: Revolutionary Minds: A3

Side One (22:09) (KF) (Mega)

Side Two (22:17) (KF) (Mega)