‘Acid Punk Dub Apocalypse’ was recorded over the last year by the former Public Image Ltd founder and renowned producer and Killing Joke bassist and features a host of special guests and collaborations. Featuring 11 brand new tracks, it’s a truly inspired collection of tracks. The new long player also includes singers and players such as Rhiannon, Blue Pearl, Alabama 3’s Aurora Dawn, Lara Smiles, broadcaster and author Vivien Goldman and The Orb’s Alex Paterson.
“Two titans of the bass got together to create this dub-inflected summit meeting of an album. Jah Wobble (Public Image Ltd, Invaders of the Heart) and Youth (Killing Joke, about a billion production gigs) are such a natural combination that it’s kind of crazy they haven’t done this before. But better late than never, and Acid Punk Dub Apocalypse is a well-titled project. As you’d expect, it’s the dub aesthetic that unites the diverse program: instruments and vocals fade in and out, sonic spaces are huge and echoey, and the bass is everywhere. ”Full Metal Dub” is reggae in 5/4, which I would have said was impossible. Turns out it isn’t, though I don’t know if it’s really advisable ― dancing to this track would be a great way for someone my age to break a hip. ”Rise Me Up” is more conventional reggae, a soulful plea featuring singer Blue Pearl, and ”Keep on Moving” covers similar territory with a steppers beat and vocalist Aurora Down. ”Chariot Sky,” on the other hand, has a bit of an East African highlife vibe, with hypnotic repeating patterns and glistening guitar, and also some slightly Muzak-y synth; ”Panzer Dub” combines another odd time signature (7/4 this time) with a vaguely Latin beat and crunchy guitars. Great stuff all around.”
Rick Anderson –CD HotList April 2021
(Cadiz Music – CADIZLP184)
