Needle Time

  Dubset - Flesh Made Word [960347-1 DEU 1984 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC] I last ripped this album over ten years ago -  Flesh Made Word is remarkably different affair to  Hittites And Kassites - 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, and it's British equivalents. Finding a middle ground somewhere between Shriekback and Blue Rondo A La Turk with more than just a little Speaking In Tongues thrown in for good measure, this is a much more uptempo affair full of hooks and pop star sensibilities. It is a highly enjoyable collection of funky latino rhythms, horn sections and Holland's eccentric lyrical prose. This is very much an eighties new wave crossover 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 German pressed Warners albums...

  Grace Cale's Dubset - Hittites And Kassites [POPELP 1 BEL 1983 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC] Known as Grace Cale's Dubset for this release (I doubt Grace exists), Dubset are really an East Coast based multi-influence project by extravagant anglophile Nigel Holland. This their self-released debut, is a highly unusual but superb piece of work. This record represents a complex twist of influences ranging from incessant rhythmic drumming through some fine dub reggae to post-industrial experimentation and then finally a whole side of abstract jazz. Side one works really well, imagine the sound of early 23 Skidoo playing On-U-Sound dub powered indigenous beats. Listen closely for some sharp dub and superb arrangements (and a didgeridoo). This is a very well recorded and mastered album, full of styles reflecting influences from 23 Skidoo,  The Pop Group, early Adrian Sherwood productions and Public Image Ltd. Side two turns everything on its head,  you are suddenly whisked away to a ...