cd96
Various Artists
Pay It All Back Vol 6
On U CD96

Once more 'On-U Sound' in keeping with its tradition of producing high quality music that encompasses and crosses (in a diverse manner) all musical boundaries, delivers a foretaste of forthcoming releases via this compilation.

  • The opening track is a remix of 'Pure Illusion' from the debut album from '2Badcard' 'Hustling Ability' released in the autumn of '95 and features the vocal talents of Sussan Deyhim.

  • This leads nicely into the Little Roy track from his debut album on On-U Sound, Longtime On-U CD/LP87 due for release in September '96. This a 'straight' reggae album in the old school vein; High on vocal quality and music and low on technological (to the point of non-existence) enhancements. If you hear it, it was sung not sampled.

  • The next track by Doug Wimbish 'Glorification Chant' is from his first solo project On-U CD/LP82 (as yet untitled) and see this master musician in full flow, with searing, soaring bass lines.

  • The next track on the CD and LP is 'Return' a remix of the track from the forthcoming album 'Slow Fuse' by Skip McDonald's band, Little Axe and features a vocal by Bernard Fowler of Peechboys/Tackhead fame. This album is due for release by Wired recordings in Autumn '96.

    *At this point the CD and Lp track listings follow different paths and these notes will foloow the CD track listing because all the tracks on the LP are contained in the CD.

  • The next track is a remix of 'Japanese Record' from the mighty Dub Syndicate album 'Ital Breakfast' On-U CD/LP84 and is a storming representation of their authentic heavyweight dub sound.

  • The next track is Audio Active's 'Paint Your Face Red' from their latest On-U Sound offering 'Start-Rec' On-U CDEP37, and will surprise some and delight others with the varied musical stance being taken by the original 'Tokyo Space Cowboys'.

  • The next track is 'Scorpio' by Mark Stewart from his latest musical outing 'Control Data'. It features all the original members of 'The Mafia' with the inclusion of Simon Mundey and sees Mr Stewart delving back into the corporation conspiracy theories he is so noted for. Out now on Mute records CD Stumm 93.

  • 'Mortal Passage' by Jalal (ex Last Poets) is from his new album 'On The One' OTO111. This was recorded at 'On-U Sound Studios' and is being distributed by EFA from Germany.

  • 'It Must Be A Dream' by Bim Sherman is a remix from the album 'Miracle' just released on 'Mantra Records' MNT1004. This is a radical departure for On-U Sound in being an album of purely acoustic reggae tracks with influences from the Indian sub-continent. This track is a very good representation of what can be expected on the full album.

  • '2003 Struggle' is a 'Dougie Wardrop/Centry' remix of the Dub Syndicate track '93 Struggle' and will feature on the new album 'Research And Development' On-U CD/LP85. This will feature remixes by the likes of: Disciples/Centry/Aba Shanti/Sound Clash/Iration Steppas/Rootsman and others of their favourite Dub Syndicate Track.

  • 'No Crack' by Akabu is the next track and is from their debut album release from last year 'Warrior Queen' On-U CD/LP71 and features DJ Pepsi on the chant.

  • The CD closes with those stalwarts of the new 'dub' the Revolutionary Dub Warriors with the track 'Irie Warrior' from their latest release on On-U Sound 'State Of Evolution' On-U CD/LP83. This is a rocking track that rolls like thunder and crashes like lightening.

    Overall this is a very well thought compilation and contains a varied mix of music to suit all tastes and styles.