Easy Star All-Stars

Today I'll be reviewing 3 albums by the Easy Star All-Stars, who are a band primarily known for their 'reinvented' reggae cover albums. 

a happy, diverse looking bunch

With titles such as Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread and Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Club Band you might expect some classic albums with perhaps more than a touch of Reggae - and right you would be.

Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon", Radiohead's "OK Computer" and The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - mess with such classics at your own peril.  Now when musicians start to meddle in this territory it's more than just your average cover.  These are full albums and it would seem they've set themselves up for ridicule, or at worst complete and utter failure.  At the very least it may prove a little difficult to take them seriously. 

Year of Release: 2003

Label: Easy Star

Genre: Reggae / Dub

Music:4.5

Sound: 4
Format Reviewed:LP

LISTEN

Much to my surprise this is a brilliant album.  When I first listened to this record, I didn't know what I was listening to (I was given a burned CD that said "Dub Side of the Moon".  My elated response 10 minutes later was that this was pure fucking genius.  I now own the re-released coloured 180g vinyl, which is not really my thing but if you're into that, it's a nice mellow yellow.

Speak to Me / Breath (In The Air) opens with the same pulsating beat that fades in at the start of  Dark Side with the moon with a few choice additions:  distant percussion, Rastafarian mutterings and what I was quite sure was the sound of a bong being smoked.

This album concept works from start to finish, recapturing the same feel of original but successfully reworking what is originally already wonderful with reggae, dub and even drum and bass without losing the quality of the source. 

I can't bring myself to give a 5 - even though I really enjoy this album and it is musically sound.  However, I can't help but feel as though it's some sort of joke and perhaps it is (the start of Money, the sound of the cash register is replaced by the sound of a lighter and the smoking of a bong), but the result is thoroughly enjoyable.

Year of Release: 2006

Label: Easy Star

Genre: Reggae / Dub

Music: 3.5

Sound: 4
Format Reviewed:CD

LISTEN

I bought this one the basis of Dub Side of the Moon.  Think about it  for a moment:  Radiohead's OK Computer then think Reggae - not exactly a match made in heaven is it?

This concept doesn't work as well as in their debut, however the results are interesting and quite listenable.

Whilst, I have no hesitation in recommending Dub Side, I really do feel in order to enjoy Radiodread, you have to be a fan of both Radiohead and Reggae/Dub.

A curiosity and something to have in the collection if you're a fan.

Year of Release: 2009

Label: Easy Star

Genre: Reggae / Dub

Music: 1

Sound: 3
Format Reviewed:CD


LISTEN

Sometimes when I get lazy, I don't actively seek out new and innovative music and hope the artists that I already do know of, will keep it fresh for me.  This isn't always the case.

I saw this CD in a 2nd hand store for a few dollars and thought, "What can it hurt?".  Oh it hurts... it hurts so bad.

If you haven't heard the Easy Star All-Stars but give some thought to the concept of "reggafication" of choice classic albums from the 60s, 70s and 90s, you might get the feeling that the result will be not only be sub-par but at best, it will be cheesy and at worst, be an abomination compared to the original.  Lonely Hearts Dub Band is the manifestation of all your worst fears (mine at least)

Now I'm no purist (actually that's a lie - I am).  But this is an awful album.  When I decided to review this, I thought I'd get this one record out for another listen.  What ensued was firstly a search for it - as I couldn't remember where I had stashed it - followed by my cringing, the skipping of tracks and finally the ejection of the disc.

Nothing works here - maybe "Fixing A Hole" because of it's original rhythm but that's it.  I can't even bring myself to listen to it.  The production seems to take a turn for the worse or perhaps it's just the recapturing of the less than lush sound of Sgt. Pepper, but that's being generous and giving them the benefit of doubt.

Think of the most touristy place in the Caribbean with all it's cliches and forced sense of fun then put this album on and you'll magically be transported there. 

Their next release is due in 2011 and I hope it's not a continuation of this disturbing trend.