Dub Project, The

Bassist, producer, and one-man-dub orchestra Ryan Moore (of Legendary Pink Dots fame) has a well-established reputation for his traditional dub recordings and his production work with such roots legends as Michael Rose, Ranking Joe, and Big Youth. Under the name Dub Project, though, he gets a bit more experimental and weird -- and, frankly, apocalyptic. Beneath the heavy, heavy monster beats and the solemn dubwise vocals (courtesy of all three singers/chatters named above) runs an undercurrent of eschatology -- this is music that addresses, albeit obliquely, the collapse of civilization and the end of the world. Perhaps darkest and most despairing, ironically enough, is his violent deconstruction of a Big Youth/Ranking Joe collaboration titled "Love Humanity" which, in the mix presented here, sounds like it could have been retitled "Breakdown of Humanity." Drummer Style Scott (Roots Radics, Dub Syndicate) contributes to a couple of tracks, and hornsman extraordinaire Dean Fraserappears on the gritty "Civilization". Even "Joy", featuring the gorgeous voice of Shyama, seems more regretful than joyous, pretty though it is. If you like a little bit of thought-provocation along with your heavy dubwise riddims, then this album is definitely for you. ~ Rick Anderson|