Alpha and Omega Meets Ras Tinny:
No Beginning, No End:
Steppas Records:
LP/CD:
Out September 23rd:
Although a handful of releases have been issued in recent years, this is Alpha and Omega's first studio album 'proper' for the best part of five years. Retaining the floor-shaking dubbed-up reverberations of earlier releases, A&O have the additional lyrical toasting of Ras Tinny to bolster the sound even more. Tinny has recently appeared on a couple of limited 10" singles, including a collab with Dub Dynasty (already fetching serious money amongst collectors).
Huge stepping anthems such as Roots Music and Dancehall kickstart the album, showcasing Tinny's style (which is part Busta Rhymes, part Roots Manuva and part I-Roy in delivery) to great effect, while more meditative tracks like Mystical Sound and the bonus reworking of deep early single Watch and Pray will keep the smokers happy.
As with many A&O releases, the vocal versions are complimented with some hefty dubs and versions designed to scare speakers or, in the case of Sound System (Dancehall stripped down and beefed up), crack tarmac. It's Dub (Critical) and the aforementioned Watch and Pray own the second half of this terrific album which comes dressed in yet another simple heartical cover design, consciously printed on recycled paper, doncha know.
If you haven't succumbed to the charms of this thoughtful British dub-reggae duo yet, you could do worse than see out the summer by throwing your hard-earned at this sonically vibrant wedge of bassweight to help bring on the long nights. John and Christine have truly excelled with this one.
The Steppas label has a few limited editions available here
★★★★★★★★★☆
No Beginning, No End:
Steppas Records:
LP/CD:
Out September 23rd:
Huge stepping anthems such as Roots Music and Dancehall kickstart the album, showcasing Tinny's style (which is part Busta Rhymes, part Roots Manuva and part I-Roy in delivery) to great effect, while more meditative tracks like Mystical Sound and the bonus reworking of deep early single Watch and Pray will keep the smokers happy.
As with many A&O releases, the vocal versions are complimented with some hefty dubs and versions designed to scare speakers or, in the case of Sound System (Dancehall stripped down and beefed up), crack tarmac. It's Dub (Critical) and the aforementioned Watch and Pray own the second half of this terrific album which comes dressed in yet another simple heartical cover design, consciously printed on recycled paper, doncha know.
If you haven't succumbed to the charms of this thoughtful British dub-reggae duo yet, you could do worse than see out the summer by throwing your hard-earned at this sonically vibrant wedge of bassweight to help bring on the long nights. John and Christine have truly excelled with this one.
The Steppas label has a few limited editions available here
★★★★★★★★★☆