Dub Syndicate

Though this outing suffers from the absence of regular bassist Flabba Holt (instead, all basslines are played by keyboardist Noel Brownie, and keyboard bass just doesn't cut it for roots reggae), it still provides significant amounts of pleasure both traditional (Prince Far I's stentorian pronouncements, "Style" Scott's martial drumbeats) and experimental (Adrian Sherwood's typically over-the-top production). The found vocal snippets are sometimes more anonymous (that could be anyone saying "Watch, operatah -- jus' lick back de riddim fi I, seen?") and sometimes more specific (that has to be Jim Morrison intoning "Out here we're stoned...immaculate"). The rhythms themselves sometimes sound a bit generic, but not objectionably so. All in all, a slightly more restrained but still rewarding album from this consistently fine band. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide