Linval Thompson and the Revolutionaries:
Boss Man's Dub:
Hot Milk:
Out Now:
9/10
For what is the third triumphant Hot Milk reissue in a row, compiler David Katz has rescued a previously-unreleased dub album from the depths of obscurity, dressed it up with some informative sleeve-notes and sprinkled bonus fairy-dust over it to create an essential package.
Linval Thompson never quite equalled the performance of the likes of Bob Marley or Peter Tosh, yet arguably had the promise. Arriving on the scene in the mid-'70s, Thompson's influences were Dennis Brown, Johnny Clarke and the like, before cutting his teeth with King Tubby's and the Channel One empire. Boss Man Dub is one of a trio of albums recorded around the late '70s and includes some deeply dubby work-outs and re-arrangements of songs made famous by Alton Ellis, John Holt and Linval himself.
It's a rich resplendent selection from the opening La La Means I Dub You to the bonus 12" cuts, Morning Dub and Roots Version, a superior strip-out of Cornell Campbell's Wherever You Need Me. Throughout the album, rockers beats swoop and bass-lines rumble with rum-drenched intent and all the resonance you'd expect from dub straight from the yard. It would be glib to pick out a highlight - the whole of Boss Man Dub is a winner - but, if hard-pressed, I'd plump for the familiar brassy Gonna Be Sorry In Dub.
If you don't hear at least one of these pieces of treasure at the Notting Hill Carnival (or subsequent after-parties) this year, demand a refund.
Boss Man's Dub:
Hot Milk:
Out Now:
9/10
Linval Thompson never quite equalled the performance of the likes of Bob Marley or Peter Tosh, yet arguably had the promise. Arriving on the scene in the mid-'70s, Thompson's influences were Dennis Brown, Johnny Clarke and the like, before cutting his teeth with King Tubby's and the Channel One empire. Boss Man Dub is one of a trio of albums recorded around the late '70s and includes some deeply dubby work-outs and re-arrangements of songs made famous by Alton Ellis, John Holt and Linval himself.
It's a rich resplendent selection from the opening La La Means I Dub You to the bonus 12" cuts, Morning Dub and Roots Version, a superior strip-out of Cornell Campbell's Wherever You Need Me. Throughout the album, rockers beats swoop and bass-lines rumble with rum-drenched intent and all the resonance you'd expect from dub straight from the yard. It would be glib to pick out a highlight - the whole of Boss Man Dub is a winner - but, if hard-pressed, I'd plump for the familiar brassy Gonna Be Sorry In Dub.
If you don't hear at least one of these pieces of treasure at the Notting Hill Carnival (or subsequent after-parties) this year, demand a refund.