It was far too long ago that we published our last Ripples Around the World Column, a celebration of the diverse and dynamic world music that comes through the Ripple doors, so let's rectify that right now. We have two delicious slices of world music licorice pizza to share with you, so let's get right to it.
Lion Head Compilation Vol 1
Now, we've already raved about the mad dub world of the master, Glyn "Bigga" Bush, and his ongoing new ventures at Lion Head, but in truth, this time he's really outdone himself. Bigga Bush was the dub mastermind behind the phenomenal Rockers Hi Fi, who released a series of must have albums in the 1990's. These releases brought out the best of the early world of ambient dub, setting the foundations for what we all came to know as Trip Hop. Since then, Bigga has gone off on his own, doing his own mixes under the Lightning Head name and creating under the Lion Head banner, and now he's done dropped a megaton bomb on us.
Combining rare and unreleased tracks from Rockers Hi Fi, with Bigga Bush solo material, Lightning Head, Magic Drum Orchestra, and Ventoux, Glyn has fashioned a stand alone testament to the power of rhythm, groove, and the mastery of dub. Clearly, the stand out track here is the classic batucada remix of Ella Fitzgerald vs Rockers Hi Fi, with an amazing version of "Sunshine of Your Love." Trust me all you Cream fans, you've never heard anything like this before. Ella's voice is remarkable and nuanced as she moves her way through the lyric, the dub bubbling underneath like a volcano about ready to explode. Just check out the tension in that first 50 seconds, just Ella's voice, a slow heartbeat of bass, and some dub effects. It builds and builds, like a slow orgasm, until the percussion pops in, upping the ante, building gently. Apparently, the track is already causing an international sensation after getting play on the BBC, and it should. It would take a man with ears of stone not to be moved by the mix. Absolutely stellar stuff.
But the album doesn't end there. Inside, you'll also find a previously unreleased collaboration with Farda P, "Going Over," Bigga's first foray into dubstep, "Sound & Blues," the ambient guitar version of Rockers Hi Fi's "Push Push," plus a positively undulating track from Rocker's 1992 debut "More and More," and a whole bunch of other Bigga productions and collaborations. Overall, it's a mesmerizing, hypnotic journey through the many worlds of modern dub, a beat inducing, head bobbing trip through worlds of sound and texture. This album will appeal to all the fans of dub and trip hop, those seeking an ambient mood but not wanting to sacrifice dynamics, and those just curious about the whole thing. A trip definitely worth taking. Check it out at:
www.biggabush.co.uk/releases-lh.htm
The Revolution - The Revolution Presents Revolution
Leaving the dub/African world of Bigga Bush, we pop right across the sea to an island nearby in the Caribbean, Cuba, and this percolating, dynamite dance-fest, celebration of all things Cuban, The Revolution. An all-star collaboration between some of the west's biggest producers (Fatboy Slim, Guy Sigsworth, Cameron McVey and Poet Name Life, amongst others) and some of the hottest emerging talent on the Cuban dance scene (Roisin Murphy, Lateef, Ariday Vega Martin, and the vocal quartet Sexto Sentido - known as the Cuban Destiny's Child- among others.) At times brooding and sinister, at times joyful and energizing, The Revolution presents Revolution consists of entirely original material taking in soul, reggae, house, old school hip hop, jazz, pop, dancehall, trip hop, and the many styles of Latin music. Imagine if the Buena Vista Social Club got loaded up on X and partied the night away in a hot American club with the best DJ's spinning mixes, and you'll begin to get the idea.
What you may not predict, however, is the sheer trance-inducing beauty of "Yellow Moon," produced by Marius Devries and featuring the captivating vocals of Roisin Murphy. Without a doubt, Rosisin proves herself immediately as a soul/jazz diva worth recognizing. Her silky smooth, smoky voice trips as delicately across the deep bubbling rhythm as a Shaolin monk dancing across rice paper. An instantly infectious excursion into deep lounge. You also may not predict the rumbling Latin beat of "Siente Mi Ritmo," a Fatboy Slim produced trip of swirling percussion, rolling basslines and beautiful female vocals. "You Wouldn't Want to Be Me," is pure trip hop of the sort that would make Portishead proud, highlighted by the extra romance of the Latin lyrics and purring female vocals. "Lies," brings in precious moments of ambient bliss, immediately followed by the dancehall burst of Poet Name Life's "14Me."
No matter which way you slice this pie, you're going to uncover another gem. Upbeat and bouncing, slow and simmering in romance, or ambient and laced with moments of thought provocation, this album has soul. And that's something that seems to be missing from so much of the generically produced American dance music. But you'll find it here, a simply journey across the sea to an island paradise. Jump on in, the water's fine.
--Racer
www.rapsterrecords.com/therevolution
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8zzh4_the-revolution-presents-revolution_musicrevolution_music
Lion Head Compilation Vol 1Now, we've already raved about the mad dub world of the master, Glyn "Bigga" Bush, and his ongoing new ventures at Lion Head, but in truth, this time he's really outdone himself. Bigga Bush was the dub mastermind behind the phenomenal Rockers Hi Fi, who released a series of must have albums in the 1990's. These releases brought out the best of the early world of ambient dub, setting the foundations for what we all came to know as Trip Hop. Since then, Bigga has gone off on his own, doing his own mixes under the Lightning Head name and creating under the Lion Head banner, and now he's done dropped a megaton bomb on us.
Combining rare and unreleased tracks from Rockers Hi Fi, with Bigga Bush solo material, Lightning Head, Magic Drum Orchestra, and Ventoux, Glyn has fashioned a stand alone testament to the power of rhythm, groove, and the mastery of dub. Clearly, the stand out track here is the classic batucada remix of Ella Fitzgerald vs Rockers Hi Fi, with an amazing version of "Sunshine of Your Love." Trust me all you Cream fans, you've never heard anything like this before. Ella's voice is remarkable and nuanced as she moves her way through the lyric, the dub bubbling underneath like a volcano about ready to explode. Just check out the tension in that first 50 seconds, just Ella's voice, a slow heartbeat of bass, and some dub effects. It builds and builds, like a slow orgasm, until the percussion pops in, upping the ante, building gently. Apparently, the track is already causing an international sensation after getting play on the BBC, and it should. It would take a man with ears of stone not to be moved by the mix. Absolutely stellar stuff.
But the album doesn't end there. Inside, you'll also find a previously unreleased collaboration with Farda P, "Going Over," Bigga's first foray into dubstep, "Sound & Blues," the ambient guitar version of Rockers Hi Fi's "Push Push," plus a positively undulating track from Rocker's 1992 debut "More and More," and a whole bunch of other Bigga productions and collaborations. Overall, it's a mesmerizing, hypnotic journey through the many worlds of modern dub, a beat inducing, head bobbing trip through worlds of sound and texture. This album will appeal to all the fans of dub and trip hop, those seeking an ambient mood but not wanting to sacrifice dynamics, and those just curious about the whole thing. A trip definitely worth taking. Check it out at:
www.biggabush.co.uk/releases-lh.htm
The Revolution - The Revolution Presents RevolutionLeaving the dub/African world of Bigga Bush, we pop right across the sea to an island nearby in the Caribbean, Cuba, and this percolating, dynamite dance-fest, celebration of all things Cuban, The Revolution. An all-star collaboration between some of the west's biggest producers (Fatboy Slim, Guy Sigsworth, Cameron McVey and Poet Name Life, amongst others) and some of the hottest emerging talent on the Cuban dance scene (Roisin Murphy, Lateef, Ariday Vega Martin, and the vocal quartet Sexto Sentido - known as the Cuban Destiny's Child- among others.) At times brooding and sinister, at times joyful and energizing, The Revolution presents Revolution consists of entirely original material taking in soul, reggae, house, old school hip hop, jazz, pop, dancehall, trip hop, and the many styles of Latin music. Imagine if the Buena Vista Social Club got loaded up on X and partied the night away in a hot American club with the best DJ's spinning mixes, and you'll begin to get the idea.
What you may not predict, however, is the sheer trance-inducing beauty of "Yellow Moon," produced by Marius Devries and featuring the captivating vocals of Roisin Murphy. Without a doubt, Rosisin proves herself immediately as a soul/jazz diva worth recognizing. Her silky smooth, smoky voice trips as delicately across the deep bubbling rhythm as a Shaolin monk dancing across rice paper. An instantly infectious excursion into deep lounge. You also may not predict the rumbling Latin beat of "Siente Mi Ritmo," a Fatboy Slim produced trip of swirling percussion, rolling basslines and beautiful female vocals. "You Wouldn't Want to Be Me," is pure trip hop of the sort that would make Portishead proud, highlighted by the extra romance of the Latin lyrics and purring female vocals. "Lies," brings in precious moments of ambient bliss, immediately followed by the dancehall burst of Poet Name Life's "14Me."
No matter which way you slice this pie, you're going to uncover another gem. Upbeat and bouncing, slow and simmering in romance, or ambient and laced with moments of thought provocation, this album has soul. And that's something that seems to be missing from so much of the generically produced American dance music. But you'll find it here, a simply journey across the sea to an island paradise. Jump on in, the water's fine.
--Racer
www.rapsterrecords.com/therevolution
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8zzh4_the-revolution-presents-revolution_musicrevolution_music
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