Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Bass Culture - the reggae label, not the French house imprint - collaborates with the incredible Natty Nature on this new release which come son a nice hand-numbered 12". The A-side features an extended vocal version which is a powerful statement of intent reflecting Bass Culture Players' (which features top musicians like Adubta, Javi Arkotxa, General Soria and Carlos Amalgamah) core philosophy. On the B-side, Bass Lee pays homage to the golden era of 70s roots reggae with an instrumental clavi and melodica cut. The release concludes with a dub version, showcasing the raw energy of the rhythm section crafted by Bass Culture Players.

Review: After a long a post-COVID quest to repurpose his music as a vessel for healing, Richard Norris (The Grid, Beyond The Wizards Sleeve) tops up the fourth edition of his oracular, thinking-man's-dub Oracle Sound series. Volume 4 describes its the nine dub versions as "outernational, widescreen versions", and if by widescreen Norris means the stereo field, then this is realised with abundant clarity on the outset that is 'Connected Dub', on which ample effects riffle across a club-readied plod, as a knowing gravel-voice suggests a paternal spirit guide keeping watch over the reels. 'Earthsea Dub' continues, nodding to Ursula Le Guin's fictive planet through sloshing water FX and ticklish 808s, while the three closing 'Ceefax' bits take teletext retro-nostalgia headspaces to the extreme. Jon Carter's Guest Mix is a special closing freakout, one that could convey itself well even over copper wire, never mind the now ubiquitous fibre-optic.

Review: Richard Norris loves a series. The former Grid man and noted psychedelic music afficionado has umpteen on the go at present, including ones dedicated to meditative ambient sounds ('Music For Healing') and modular experiments ('Abstractions'). Then there's his dub-wise and 'outernational' music series, Oracle Sound, which here reaches its fourth - and possibly strongest - instalment. Highlights are plentiful, from the languid and woozy head-nod of opener 'Connected Dub' and the intoxicating, flute-sporting musical mystery of 'Earthsea Dub', to the up-beat dancefloor dub of 'Maximum Dub', and the sub-heavy, near dub techno pulse of John Carter hook-up 'Ceefax'. That one also comes accompanied by alternative takes by both Norris and Carter.

Review: Japanese digital dub legend Takafumi Noda and Dutch synth wizard Danny Wolfers (best known as Legowelt) reunite for a great second album under the Noda & Wolfers project on Nightwind Records. This album blends digital dub, raw lo-fi electro and acid influences into a captivating, deviant sound that is rich in wild, untamed synths which collide with rough rhythm boxes as seductive spring reverbs dissolve into space echoes. Intense bass crumbles over decaying fuzzy tapes and Noda's haunting melodica melodies elevate the album to new, mesmerising heights. A fascinating fusion of creative worlds.