Bill Laswell - Smoke + Glass & Realm of Spells Review

Bill Laswell - Smoke + Glass and Realm Of Spells Review

Having significant involvement in the creation and release in over 100 albums since the early 80s, the breadth of musical discography that bassist, producer, and record label owner, Bill Laswell has accumulated is enough to overwhelm the senses and make your head spin. Still, Laswell, an undeniable influence in the genres of world, jazz, and dub, does it again with dual collaborative releases in 2019, Smoke + Glass (with Alex Haas), and Realm of Spells (with Jah Wobble).

The Nomad - Perilous Times Review

For years, Daimon Schwalger, aka The Nomad, has been producing electronic sounds, masterfully mixing elements of dubstep, reggae, drum and bass and electronic music. His unique sounds continue on his sixth LP, Perilous Times, which features a foray of electronic beats spanning many genres that all feel related, and a multitude of singers to give every song a fresh face. The Nomad proves to listeners that they should not expect to hear the same thing twice, as his tracks all bring something new to the table. The dark funky lull of the opening track, “Give Some Love,” resonates with a neo-disco soul similar to electronic dance artist TV On The Radio. The reggae melody that races through “Run Through These Streets” takes surprising twists and turns as Vida-Sunshyne sings, “These are really perilous times.”

Easy Star All-Stars - Dubber Side of The Moon Review

Another Dub Side? Easy Star All-Stars, the same guys behind the reggae cover albums for Dark Side of The Moon, Radiohead’s Ok Computer, and Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, unveil a brand new release: Dub Side of The Moon, but remixed and reworked, and inevitably redubbed; Dubber Side of The Moon. These new tracks, redone with a more atmospheric and heavy bass quality, resonate proudly through any good pair of speakers, and you can tell instantly that these songs were meant to surround you, and pull you in. From the very start of “Speak To Me / Breathe,” it is obvious that this is a re-imagining of the classic Pink Floyd album. Synth programming and sound effects add all the more tribute to the intricacies of Pink Floyd’s masterpiece.