Rasta International

Over the course of more than two decades, bassist Ryan Moore has made a name for himself as perhaps the finest exponent of D.I.Y. dub, a home studio virtuoso whose solo albums under the name Twilight Circus Dub Sound System have provided a regular fix to those who are addicted to vintage, '70s style instrumental reggae. But since 2000 he has also emerged as a great producer and impresario, bringing reggae singers and deejays new and old into the studio and creating powerful rhythms over which some have done their best work in decades. Rasta International offers a fine assortment of tracks in that vein, featuring such singers as Fred Locks (remember him?) and Luciano, and deejay talents like Admiral Tibet and Ranking Joe. As Twilight Sound System, this shifting array of singers and chatters has traveled around the world with Moore's support, and this disc gives an idea of what an evening of the sound might feel like. Just about everything varies in quality from good (Fred Locks' "Wisdom," Luciano's subdued and slightly disappointing "Spiritual Friend") to spectacular (Admiral Tibet's joyfully sharp "Stand Up and Fight," Lutan Fyah's funky "We Can Make It Work"). The rhythms are dark and dense, with that wonderful Lee Perry-meets-King Tubby vibe for which Moore is famous. Very highly recommended to all roots reggae lovers.