Dubset - Hittites & Kassites
By request, and to lead on from recent similar posts, here are the two Dubset albums downsampled to 16/44 quality. Also known as Grace Cale's Dubset, Dubset are really an East Coast based multi-influence band led by Anglophile Nigel Holland. This their self-released debut, is a highly unusual but superb piece of work. It is a complex twist of influences ranging from incessant rhythmic drumming through some fine dub reggae to post-industrial experimentation and then finally jazz.
Side one works really well, imagine the sound of early 23 Skidoo playing On-U-Sound dub onstage with African Headcharge. Listen closely for some sharp dub and superb arrangements, much in the vein of 23 Skidoo with a good nod to The Pop Group, early Adrian Sherwood productions and P.I.L.
Side two turns everything on its head, like Bernard Herrmann's Taxi Driver soundtrack you are suddenly whisked away to a smokey jazz bar where a lonely trumpet, double bass and piano fuse in a complex syncopation in a dedication to mean streets. Dubset's second album Flesh Made Word released a few years later on Warner's affiliate Elektra, is a much more mainstream affair taking it's lead from the New York alternative disco sounds of the early eighties and latin based funk. I'll rip my copy soon and up it here too.
Ripped from a vinyl album released on AMI Records (POPE LP1) to high quality 16bit flac.
A1. Kassite War Chant (Hittite Dub)
A2. Schwaiia-Mū, (Government Dub)
A3. 4-In-A-Dub
A4. Dubset Verses The Pinhead Round [1] (Flesh Beat Dub)
A5. Bridge's Rap
A6. Bibbering Blaggat (Hittite War Chant)
B1. She Whispers "Master..."
B2. Porn Jazz
B3. Owner's Risk
B4. Nona
B5. Endpiece
B6. Schwaiia-Mū, (Government Version)
Dubset - Flesh Made Word
Firstly, if you were listening to this on the basis of the strength of the first album you could be disappointed. Flesh Made Word is remarkably different affair - I am not saying it is worse (or even better) ...just different. Nigel Holland now turns his attentions to a more commercial sound influenced by the New York alternative dance club scene. Think of the middle ground somewhere between Shriekback and Blue Rondo with a little Speaking In Tongues thrown in for good measure.
It is a highly enjoyable collection of funky latino rhythms, horn sections and Holland's eccentric lyrical prose. It's very much an eighties sound and could be deemed a little dated in places, but like the first album the high quality of the arrangements makes a worthwhile listen. Like most Warners albums of the same era it is a good quality pressing on a quality piece of plastic.
Ripped from a vinyl album released on Elektra Records (960347-1) in 1984 to high quality 16bit lossless FLAC.
A1. Dice Dub DiscoA2. Pop Roma
A3. Erotica's Den
A4. The Nameless Dread
A5. Vicious Affair
B1. Flesh Beat Fever
B2. Lounge Man
B3. Onyeocha Onyegee (White Man, Black Man)
B4. Ranking Janaow
B5. Risk Dub
