Some more random purchases...



Two Cultures Clash

The idea behind this collection is to get a bunch of 'Western' electronic musicians and introduce them to some Jamaican vocalists. Personally I don't think it works too well, there doesn't seem to be enough risks, and maybe I've been listening to The Bug's take on ragga too much but this CD just sounds too safe. Even Kid606 who does a track with Ward 21 seems a bit too tame.



The Bug featuring Warrior Queen - Aktion Pak

Now this is more like it! Ruff as fuck, with the mother of all basslines on the title track. The mighty Warrior Queen takes on the vocal duties for two tracks, and the slightly mischieviously looking Ras B gets his own tracks at the end. The four remaining tracks are Dub Versions (ie instrumentals) of tracks from The Bugs last album. Definitely worth picking up.



Jah Wobble - I Could Have Been A Contender

Continuing the reggae theme this is a three CD anthology from Jah Wobble who over his long career has pretty much nailed the dub reggae bassline. He started off in the post Sex Pistol's band Public Image Limited, the two PIL tracks here still sound completely relevant and fresh - one of them sounds like it may even have been ripped off by Fugazi, but I can't believe they would do such a thing - would they? The 3 CDs on offer here also cover his commercial hits (Becoming More Like God? Visions of You? You would recognise them if you heard them), his excursions into World Music and his more experimental tracks. Its good stuff, if I have one problem with the collection it's pretty heavy going - three CDs packed to the edges with music. Still you can't fault the value there... and his liner notes are very funny.



Old Man Gloom - Christmas

Bit off track this one, we're into Doom Metal territory here. There's an Isis involvement here, so anyone familiar with that band will be right at home here. Intelligent heavy metal, full of atmosphere. The last track (Christmas Eve parts I, II, and III - alt version) is amazing, slow as fuck with a slight hint of the Swans. Again, a recommended purchase if only for the last track.