Sound Iration in Dub

Originally released in 1989, Sound Iration in Dub helped to define what would come to be a unique style of reggae music: U.K. steppers. Sound Iration were a duo comprised of producer Nick Manasseh and DJ Mr. Scruff, and their sound combined the hard, shiny surfaces of British electro-dub with the more open, warm sound of vintage 1970s reggae. They avoided the sonic extremes of countrymen Adrian Sherwood and Mad Professor, and instead developed a restrained but still adventurous sound that wound up influencing a whole generation of English reggae musicians. This reissue of the duos debut album adds a bonus disc that includes seven tracks recorded for a second project that never came to fruition, along with a handful of demos, dub plates, and previously unreleased remixes. Some listeners might find the Sound Iration sound a bit too clean and antiseptic, and its true that the drums can sound a bit stiff at times (particularly on the richly dubbed-up but slightly affectless "C.T.U.F.B."), but Scruff and Manasseh are adept at defining an enormous sonic space with a minimum of raw materials. There are ghostly melodicas and classic basslines recycled for modern use, and the remix disc takes several of the original tracks farther into outer space, into a corner of the galaxy where instruments fly around independently and the bass booms like an intercontinental elephant. Fans of Dennis Bovell, Mad Professor, and the Equalizer (with whom Manasseh later worked) will find plenty to enjoy here. ~ Rick Anderson

89年にアナログのみでリリースされたサウンド・アイレーションのアルバムが、未発表音源も追加収録して奇跡のCD化！ リリース元はアレックス・パターソン（オーブ）とユース（キリング・ジョーク）の主宰レーベルからで、ダブ～レゲエ信者はもちろん、ニューウェイヴ好きや、曲によってはアンビエントのファンも楽しめる内容。丸みのある柔らかな音色とルーズなグルーヴがクセになる快楽盤だ。
bounce (C)青木正之