Analogue Mindfield – Visions in Sonic Sense

Analogue Mindfield’s Gizzy D explains that the group want to, “create auditory soundscapes of challenging yet accessible music, whilst retaining an inspired socially conscious theme to our tunes”. This ferociously creative outfit indeed harks back to a golden age when reggae called itself roots and planted socially-conscious lyrics into the public’s consciousness. Delivered with sensitivity and passion over stellar riddims, laid down by musicians with an intrinsic feel for the groove, whilst adding a 21st century update in message and incoming musical influences, the results are 100% dynamite.

The three main participants are Gizzy D, Snapper J and Kitty B, who are joined on their third studio album, Visions In Sonic Sense, by a supporting cast of singers and players including MC Ishu (Step 13, Manasseh Soundsystem), MC Jaz (DJ Reeza, Scribble Orchestra and now Analogue Mindfield’s new live MC), techno forager Suspira (Transient Dreams who have worked with Eat Static and Ozric Tentacles), Asian Dub Foundation’s Dr Das on occasional bass and G Frequency (Goontrax, Domination Records) providing some luscious double bass and top turntablism. From the upbeat politically-biting skank of Political Patsy to haunting female-sung ballad Reflections, they handle conscious roots outings like Mediocracy and the brass-splattered toast of Eire Beag like the great Jamaican vocal groups of the 70s but still take the form to new vistas in roots dub ballad Dread Up, all bathed in a rich dub afterglow. Be Careful Out There could be a new street anthem for the 21st century while Music Man seems to put an 80s electro-pop outing through the dub blender.

Over the years, Analogue Mindfield have worked with a diverse array of UK and Jamaican musicians and made a substantial impact with their first two albums, 2006’s Digital Brainwave and last year’s A Fine Adjustment of Time. Their third album is a mature affirmation of their vision and talent for working with sympathetic co-conspirators while grasping the original multi-cultural roots ethic and taking it into modern times. As to be expected from a Malicious Damage act, Analogue Mindfield don’t confine themselves to the one genre they might be identified with: Soul Crew brings in elements of UK free party dub-techno while Burnt Out plants its incisive rhythms over a drum ’n’ bass charge. The possibilities are infinite.

The opening track “Anna Be Careful” is a true Roots track with all the right ingrediants, this is followed by a couple of non-traditional tracks but still keeping with a Reggae beat. Then comes “Need A Leader” which would be just as proud to be made by the likes of Burning Spears et al, a beautiful and entrancing roots track. Again this is followed by a few non-traditional tracks that give sense that the label involved is the same house as ‘The Orb’, very dubbyonic electronica. “Mediocracy” is another high quality produced roots track that any reader of this site would just love, followed by a very powerful Dub track called “Family Ties” which has enchanting vocals and delayed drum beats – top quality indeed. There are even some hints of Drum ‘n’ Bass within this album and I’m talking the 180bpm type not the Sly ‘n’ Robbie kind.

If all the above is sounding a bit repeated, then it only goes to prove the high quality of this album, every track just breaths serious production and superb sound writing. If you love Roots, Dub, Future Dub or indeed electronica lead Reggae, then this album is a must buy. A complete mix of styles ranging from the traditional to the future, check them out now…

Reviewed by Dean Marcel – UKRG Crew

1.Anna Be Careful

2.Political Ppatsy

3.Downbeat Rebel

4.Need A Leader (Dub)

5.Soul Crew

6.Reflections

7.Mediocracy

8.Family Ties

9.High Beam

10.Dreadup

11.Burnt Out

12.Eire Beag

13.Be Careful Out There

14.Music Man

15.Party's Over

16.Visions In Dubnicolour

17.Need A Leader (Reprise)

Offical Website: www.analoguemindfield.com/index.html

Malicious Damage (label): www.maliciousdamage.biz/index.html