according to new Mojo, AMS is working with Kevin 'the Bug' Martin on a dub version of London Zoo.
could go either way i guess, but i'm hoping for all out sonic immenseness.
of course i wont get my hopes up until the disc is actually in my hands, as the list of on-u related albums i have got excited about only for them to never appear continues to grow (audio active slash-n-mix , mutant hi-fi to name but 2)
― mark e, Monday, 2 August 2010 14:22 (thirteen years ago) link
Classic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTgp8UtwmSc
― i find music confusing and annoying (Ned Trifle II), Monday, 2 August 2010 15:42 (thirteen years ago) link
^^^ my all time fave on-u track !!
― mark e, Monday, 2 August 2010 15:55 (thirteen years ago) link
The most hilarious thread ever.
― Shut Up. Kenny G. Etc. (u s steel), Monday, 2 August 2010 16:04 (thirteen years ago) link
New African Head Charge album streaming http://www.onu-sound.com/african-head-charge/index.html
― Daniel Giraffe, Wednesday, 16 March 2011 08:19 (thirteen years ago) link
will be getting that asap.hopefully this new release is the beginning of a proper 30th anniversary celebration.a boxset has been promised, but as always for on-u follwers, i suspect that patience will be tested.
― mark e, Wednesday, 16 March 2011 08:38 (thirteen years ago) link
They seem to be taking it quite seriously: To mark the label’s 30th anniversary in 2011, we will be reissuing a number of classic On-U Sound albums, a selection of new releases, renewed live activity and the release of an extensive box-set.
The year of celebration begins in early March with the release of a new African Head Charge album and 3 classic reissues – New Age Steppers debut, Creation Rebel’s highly influential Starship Africa and African Head Charge’s hard-to-find Off The Beaten Track.
The plan will then be to release further new albums and classic reissues throughout 2011.
The new releases planned include a collection of contemporary remixes of Lee Perry’s On-U Sound output, the long-awaited On-U produced Little Axe album and a New Age Steppers long-player – their first since Foundation Steppers in 1983 – featuring vocal contributions from the late Ari Up and Mark Stewart amongst others. Details of further new releases will be announced shortly.
Amongst the classic reissues are albums from some of the label’s most acclaimed artists including Lee Perry, Dub Syndicate, Bim Sherman, Tackhead, Little Annie and Singers & Players.
There are also plans for a deluxe box-set which will include extensive sleeve-notes from Adrian Sherwood, rare and un-released tracks from the archive, a collection of classic tracks and a selection of some of Adrian’s finest remixes.
― Daniel Giraffe, Wednesday, 16 March 2011 08:49 (thirteen years ago) link
They seem to be taking it quite seriously
That's been up for quite a while - we're now in the second half of March, and there's no listings of any forthcoming reissues of the three titles mentioned for release in early March. We've been through this before. What's sad is the huge amount of crucial early material in the archives still unheard - post-Slits Ari Up, various Mark Stewart goodies, a Prince Hammer record, etc. Will these ever see the light of day?
― crustaceanrebel, Wednesday, 16 March 2011 08:53 (thirteen years ago) link
Ah I see. I'll keep checking back then...
― Daniel Giraffe, Wednesday, 16 March 2011 09:01 (thirteen years ago) link
We've been through this before
i think its safe to say AMS struggles with the industry.
he has been burnt several times over the years (EFA going bust being the big one, the deal with EMI not going too well etc), so, i guess these things have gone back to being a cottage industry set up (literally ! on-u studio is now in the living room/kitchen of his house, according to various online videos), so, big projects like this will indeed take some sorting out.
AMS has said before how in the 80s his albums sold tens of thousands of copies, whereas now, a high profile release isn't going to sell anywhere near as much, meaning that a high cost project like a boxset is going to need funds, and i suspect he has become somewhat risk adverse, and so tests the waters for responses to such promises, in order to figure out demand.
i mean the last dub syndicate compilation was virtually a bootleg. no barcode, no label detail etc.
like i said, patience will be tested.
tis the on-u way.
― mark e, Wednesday, 16 March 2011 09:02 (thirteen years ago) link
more into the re-issues than the boxset tbh
― hapshash jar tempo (Drugs A. Money), Wednesday, 16 March 2011 18:41 (thirteen years ago) link
http://www.djhistory.com/interviews/adrian-sherwood
― jaxon, Tuesday, 24 May 2011 23:36 (thirteen years ago) link
Nice mix of old Adrian Sherwood/On-U Sound tunes:
http://testpressing.org/2010/02/02/producers-series-1-adrian-sherwood/
And here's a Part 2:
http://testpressing.org/2011/02/21/producers-series-11-adrian-sherwood-part-2/
― geeta, Friday, 8 July 2011 01:34 (twelve years ago) link
was just thinking on the way into work it could be time to delve back into on-u (i go for months without listening to on-u, and then once i start, its very hard to move away from it .. ), so these mixes could be just the job.also, seen the new reissues yesterday (african headcharge, and creation rebel).very nicely packaging - a bit like the old mo'wax cd albums in carboard covers.still, no word on the boxset though ..
― mark e, Friday, 8 July 2011 07:23 (twelve years ago) link
30th anniversary on-u sound tour, anyone checking it out?
i'll be at the sherwood gig on wednesday in boston (five bucks!)
― geeta, Sunday, 4 September 2011 21:15 (twelve years ago) link
The year of celebration begins in early March with the release of a new African Head Charge album and 3 classic reissues – New Age Steppers debut, Creation Rebel’s highly influential Starship Africa and African Head Charge’s hard-to-find Off The Beaten Track
has anyone picked up these new editions ?
are they straightforward reissues (albeit but in nice packaging), or is the music remastered ?
still no sign of the boxset ..
― mark e, Thursday, 8 September 2011 12:10 (twelve years ago) link
Saw Dub Syndicate live once and was bored to tears. It didn't help that the group was preceded by two hours of dub over the PA. So it was like dub dub dub dub dub dub dub dub dub .... 15 minute break ... dub dub dub dub dub dub.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 8 September 2011 12:51 (twelve years ago) link
i wouldn't be bored by two hours of dub, if it was a good PA!
went to see Sherwood last night. amazing to see that guy work a mixing board, and all those live effects he was using
― geeta, Thursday, 8 September 2011 17:46 (twelve years ago) link
"It didn't help that the group was preceded by two hours of dub over the PA. So it was like dub dub dub dub dub dub dub dub dub .... 15 minute break ... dub dub dub dub dub dub."
What the heck did you think it was going to be?
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 8 September 2011 17:51 (twelve years ago) link
"are they straightforward reissues (albeit but in nice packaging), or is the music remastered ?"
I think it's just nice packaging. The albums were reissued/remastered in the late 90s. Has remastering really improved that much since then?
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 8 September 2011 17:52 (twelve years ago) link
alex otm
― geeta, Thursday, 8 September 2011 17:57 (twelve years ago) link
no idea. just the latest dub syndicate compilation was specifically promoted as remastered, and sounds amazing.so was hoping AMS had gone back and spruced up these latest reissues, but i guess you're right.to be honest, i care not, if the reissues happen to still be there tomorrow, i'm grabbing them.and yes, 2 hours of dub = heavenwould love to have seen dub syndicate live ..
― mark e, Thursday, 8 September 2011 18:18 (twelve years ago) link
xpost I expected a little more diversity over the PA before the headliner went on, to break things up a bit. Just as you wouldn't play, I dunno, Bob Seger for two hours before Bob Seger goes on - or for that matter "Music for Airports" before Bang on a Can does "Music for Airports" - so I expected some contrast for effect. I also felt it lessened the presence of the live band.
Wasn't terrible music, mind, but I had a raging headache by the end.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 8 September 2011 18:30 (twelve years ago) link
"Just as you wouldn't play, I dunno, Bob Seger for two hours before Bob Seger goes on"
Uh sure, but I'd probably expect two hours of rock before Bob Seger. Or similarly minimal music pre-BOAC does "Music For Airports". Were they playing only Dub Syndicate tracks for two hours prior? Or is this one of those all dub sounds alike things?
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 8 September 2011 19:06 (twelve years ago) link
"I was shocked that when I went to this rave and all they played was techno and it all sounded the same."
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 8 September 2011 19:08 (twelve years ago) link
"I was pleased when I saw Diplo that he didn't confine himself to playing a bunch of dancehall. He also played a Celine Dion dubstep remix!"
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Thursday, 8 September 2011 19:16 (twelve years ago) link
Just as you wouldn't play, I dunno, Bob Seger for two hours before Bob Seger goes on - or for that matter "Music for Airports" before Bang on a Can does "Music for Airports"
dub is not one person: it's a genre, a culture, a feeling, etc. it's not one sound but a panorama of sounds--it encompasses so much
would write more but typing is hard for me, mostly confined to one-liners
― geeta, Thursday, 8 September 2011 19:16 (twelve years ago) link
This set of dub did not comprise a panorama of sounds, encompassing much. I blame the DJ and/or soundsystem.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 8 September 2011 19:24 (twelve years ago) link
At the same time, it was something like a decade ago, so maybe it was awesome and I was not.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 8 September 2011 19:25 (twelve years ago) link
i succumbed and picked up the new little axe and new african headcharge albums today.
love the artwork - much better than the last round of "new" releases, basically the mighty stepper/dubstepper releases - both of which had truly dreadful artwork. the new style fits in well, and goes with the redesigned website.as for the music : well, neither album stretches the boundaries of on-u sound, but are very solid albums.especially the new little axe, which as a project has become more and more real world/radio 2 friendly over the years, so good to have the sound go back to on-u both in record label, and sound.
not bothering with the new remix album of the mighty stepper as its by various dubstep producers and i doubt i'd enjoy it.
so all that remains now, is the much promised boxset ..
oh, and new age steppers album i believe thats on its way ..
― mark e, Wednesday, 1 February 2012 15:23 (twelve years ago) link
I'm a HUGE Adrian fan, and I stumbled on the New Age Steppers shortly after it came out (thank you Ray Farrell). The new album is dreadful IMHO.
― factcheckr (eat my dirt), Wednesday, 1 February 2012 17:06 (twelve years ago) link
not heard anything off new New Age Steppers album.
in what way is it dreadful, as i cant see it going too far off on-u course given that AMS has his thing pretty locked down these days.
― mark e, Wednesday, 1 February 2012 19:20 (twelve years ago) link
well today i did a u-turn on my own statement and got the dubstep styled remix album.
some good, some mad (the cover of 'iron man' with dennis bovell is a bit hard work .. )
still no sign of the boxset.
(aint going to happen .. )
― mark e, Thursday, 24 May 2012 11:02 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SbnsgRaiZ0
― Cyders from Mars (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 24 May 2012 15:44 (twelve years ago) link
*spam*
http://soundcloud.com/twitch/optimo-podcast-12-adrian
http://soundcloud.com/alexchase/ohm-dedication-series-2-jd
― stirmonster, Thursday, 24 May 2012 15:47 (twelve years ago) link
new solo album by adrian sherwood is a lot more mellow than previous releases.
none of the usual on-u style edginess, which i have to admit takes a bit of getting used to.
― mark e, Thursday, 23 August 2012 22:23 (eleven years ago) link
I've been finding it pleasant enough, in the background while reading or whatever. But yeah, it sure doesn't seem much like an Adrian Sherwood album.
― xhuxk, Thursday, 23 August 2012 22:25 (eleven years ago) link
exactly.
its pleasant.
i dont normally listen to on-u for pleasant.
its a definite late night/reading soundtrack kind of album, which of course sounds amazing.
― mark e, Thursday, 23 August 2012 22:27 (eleven years ago) link
i thoroughly, thoroughly recommend stirmonster's MONSTER mixes linked just four posts above this one, btw.
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 23 August 2012 23:40 (eleven years ago) link
well, i ignored this statement and picked up the new new age steppers album today.
its certainly not dreadful, i suspect AMS wanted to make a 'final' album worthy of one his best friends so made sure the album covers all sorts of bases, its good, but i concur it's not a classic.
it is a solid on-u album, and even in 2012 that's always going to hit the spot for me.
oh, and the new solo album by AMS has clicked.
once i readjusted my expectations i have really come around to loving it.
― mark e, Thursday, 27 September 2012 19:40 (eleven years ago) link
boxset is never going to happen is it ..
― mark e, Tuesday, 23 October 2012 20:37 (eleven years ago) link
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19299-creation-rebel-new-age-steppers-threat-to-creation/
reissue
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 10 June 2014 15:36 (nine years ago) link
originally released in 1981
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 10 June 2014 15:50 (nine years ago) link
classic. going to play "chemical specialist" at max volume right now.
― stirmonster, Tuesday, 10 June 2014 15:54 (nine years ago) link
Been listening to Starship Africa, which is awesome
― nova ydal (Drugs A. Money), Tuesday, 10 June 2014 19:21 (nine years ago) link
news just in :
"Various Artists: Sherwood At The Controls Volume 1: 1979 – 1984Double vinyl / CD / download, out 6th April 2015, via On-U Sound
· Compilation of early tracks produced or remixed by the legendary Adrian Sherwood; a pioneering blend of post-punk, mutant disco, dub, funk and electro
A1. Medium Medium – Hungry, So Angry (1981)A2. Maximum Joy – Let It Take You There (1982)A3. Nadjma – Some Day My Caliph Will Come (1984)A4. Mark Stewart + The Maffia – Learning To Cope With Cowardice (flexi version) (1983)B1. The Fall – Middle Mass (1981)B2. Gardening By Moonlight – Strange Clues (1983)B3. Shriekback – Mistah Linn He Dead (1984)B4. Voice Of Authority ft. Congo Ashanti Roy – Running (Feeling Wild) (1984)C1. The Slits – Man Next Door (1979)C2. Annie Anxiety (aka Little Annie) – Third Gear Kills (1984)C3. Prince Far I – Nuclear Weapon (1983)D1. Singers & Players – Reaching The Bad Man (1981)D2. African Head Charge – In A Trap (1982)D3. Vivien Goldman – Private Armies Dub (1981)
"
oh and according to the PR :
"This is the first release in an extensive On-U Sound reissue campaign that will be coming out over the next few years."
hahahaha .. i have lost count the number of times i have had my hopes raised by such a statement.but you never know ..
(ahem ... boxset .. )
― mark e, Thursday, 29 January 2015 17:36 (nine years ago) link
Ha, was just about to post this here, thank ya Mark.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 29 January 2015 17:46 (nine years ago) link
Very short trailer for it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxJLCI3qDJg
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 29 January 2015 17:50 (nine years ago) link
hopefully this does not mean the collaboration with pinch has been dropped off the release schedule as i am really looking forward to that.
― mark e, Thursday, 29 January 2015 17:51 (nine years ago) link
in 2015 it is a weird thing for me to still get PR mailouts about things of interest to me.
― mark e, Thursday, 29 January 2015 17:54 (nine years ago) link