Murder Tone

Sharp-eyed Dub Syndicate fans will notice that about eight of this album's 17 tracks duplicate material found on earlier albums and singles and on the two Classic Selection compilations from 1989 and 1991. However, the rest of the program appears to be previously unreleased and is said to have been recorded during a lull between the sessions that produced Echomania and Stoned Immaculate. Even the previously released material has been remastered for this collection. Among the new selections are a very fine dub version of Bim Sherman's roots classic "Red Sea" and a vocal cameo by the notorious Lee "Scratch" Perry on "Let the Spirit Rise." The psychedelic dub remix of Prince Far I's "African Landing" appears to be new as well. New or old, everything in this collection shimmers and thuds with all the energy and inventiveness that made Dub Syndicate the favorite band of avant-roots reggae fans the world over ever since its first record 20 years ago. In a way it's sad that the best Dub Syndicate album in five years is a compilation of older material, but on the other hand it's great to have this stuff available again. Hopefully it will inspire bandleader Style Scott to move up to the next level on his future releases.