Alien Dread - Overcharge (Reggae) [320 kbps]

History of release (from on-line magazine):

This album is a rarity, due to its initial distribution and promotion, which was somewhat silent. It submerged within a tidal wave of releases. However, if you take just a few listens to this collection, you'll discover some real gems in there and I feel this was one of the stronger & most original Reggae albums in 2010.

This collection features an Italian saxophone player called DannyG, who is a professional musician in Italy. This was his first involvement with a Reggae producer and he took to the work ably, as you will discover. His vibrancy & character are clearly heard in the track Tom Fool - a real scorcher; revealing his obvious inclination towards Jazz arrangements.

The producer here is a guy called Andrew Passey, an old hand from the UK Reggae scene whose youth was spent with the Rastafarian community in Handsworth, B'ham. He is the lead member of Alien Dread (a somewhat rag-tag bunch of musicians whose eclectic skills lend the AD releases a unique sound).

Also onboard here is Martin Campbell, who takes a back-seat, but popped the lid on a few rhythm tracks for Andrew to work with. Noteworthy is the roots track, Valley of Decision (also featuring Danny).

Track 10 also features Phillip Gadd on organ. Its a rough sounding track, but included never-the-less.

All in all, a solid album, and a damn shame it didn't appear to sell that well.


4/5 stars


Tracks:

1. Overcharge
2. King Rock
3. Tom Fool
4. Rocker's Lament
5. Put the Knife Down
6. Find the Dub
7. Valley of Decision
8. Valley of Dub
9. Babylon River Dub
10. Look Behind (Gadd59 version)
11. Look Behind Dub Vs.
12. Township
13. Great Old Men
14. Great Old Dub
15. Kortonic Dub (2010 version)

(ripped at 320kbps from CD)

Support the label: ACL2000Ltd./Reggae Retro Records