Review: Stephen Garfield Townsend is the Ghetto Priest (and also works as Levi Judah and Squiddly) and he is a rather prolific talent who has dropped five albums and some 29 EPs. This one came last year and finally arrives on wax. 'Smile' is a deep dub with endless echo and reverb swirling around the lower end as his vocals bring a smoky soul next to the wispy melodies. The flipside 'Nature Boy' is more light and airy, with sun kissed island feels and another unhurried, storytelling vocal that is delivered with grace and control.
Review: Healing Force Project is prolific Italian artist Antonio Marini. Over the last decade he has dropped plenty of heat on the likes of Firecracker, Berceuse Heroique, 2 Headed Deer, Random Numbers and more. Drifted Entities Vol 1 is his latest offering and is an experimental take on dub, cosmic funk, jazz and drum & bass with the HFP signature unifying it all. 'Tiny Germs' opens up on dark, sparse drums that are kinda haunting then 'Upbeat Damage' is a deconctructed jungle jazz cut with squealing synths that bring the horror. The flip side continues in that eerie manner with fresh musicality and loose arrangements drawing you in.
Review: The Goodies label makes its bow here with a fully licensed 7" that features the Enos McLeod tune 'Ram Jam Party' backed with 'Rammed'. The former was the opening and title track from the Jamaican reggae singer's 1996 album. It is impassioned lovers' rock with his yearning and vulnerable vocals over clean reggae rhythms, with bright chords and lumpy drums and bass. The flip is a dub version with crispy hits and digital synths paired with the natty guitar riffs and organic piano chords. This is a good start and augurs well for the future of this label.
Review: Shaka Man is an LA-based drummer who offers up a pair of new tunes here. The stick man has a truly unorthodox style which is showcased in the rhythms he manages to cook up - they will have you utterly in knots and lost in space and time. These are never before heard tunes that were recorded at home in his basement and are full of raw and honest expression. 'Coronation Binghi' is built on a foundation of drums that are run through plenty of delays to make for some seriously heft low end. The rich percussion finishes it off with a beautifully minimalist style while 'Chain Reaction' features a vocal and instrumental version.
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