Event : Adrian Sherwood Sound System

Location : Queen Elizabeth Hall ( London )

Date : 15 / 12 / 00

Reviewed by : text-Smart Monkey / images Lewis Zip Dog

Reggae's re-cycling, versioning and gleaning of it's previous generations riddims and values is an established part of the medium, each time reappearing in either a new gleaming form or a pile of cynical smelling crap. "Re-hash or re-cycle" seems to basis of much debate in art space at present. Re-cycling is also something born out of necessity. Sherwood and friends have felt the chill winds of change recently . On-U-Sounds have been largely dismissed and ignored by the mainstream music media in the last 5 years and judging by the wads of press passes left unclaimed at the door, it goes to show where the majority of so called music journalists were ... still out to lunch maybe?

There have also been large scale changes in Sherwood's music family. Bim Sherman's passing on is still sinking into those who knew him and his work. His sweet textured vocals were always a centre point of the Sound system's collaborations. Add to this Dub Syndicate co- conspirator Style Scott releasing albums that haven’t been through the creative channelling of Sherwood and Bonjo's (African Head Charge ) move back to his homeland, has all meant the stalling of great working partnerships.

Whilst Gary Clails transformance into a voice from the past rather than the cultural commentator of today's struggles has meant that once again new voices and artists are tonight being road -tested.

All these factors could have been real body blows to a collective celebrating their 20th year in the spotlight. Sherwood and long time musical spars Pete Holdsworth and Mark Stewart, champions of U.K Dub-Techno and roots reality style, have a recording output now in treble figures and from this evening it sounds like this is about to swell.

The evening was about a temptingly laid out spread of rich archive mixes of Perryisms and Dub Syndicalists, and the dread dread sounds favoured by Sherwood epitomised by Junior Delgado's timely delivery :

"I said the whole world
is calling for Ganja to be free
and the whole wide world
is calling for Ganja to be free
It's good for Glaucoma
people drink it for Asthma.
dreadlocks push it inna chalwa
The hemp was heaven sent
So what is your rant Sir?
People say it's good for cancer."

Sherwood knows some stagecraft and about minimalist presentation, having the ability to put on a show wherever and whenever. His response is to "bring on the youth," to the assembled hoards of dub freaks and mutant funksters. Sherwood was for once, front of stage demonstrating the mixing desk as creative instrument and tool. This was a stunning display of bewildering aural dexterity to a highly receptive audience who lapped up the spellbinding collages and grooves from the dub wizard's caldron of dub chaos and techno vibes. Sherwood's approach has influenced a whole new generation of dub and powerfunk nuts (check out the recent Dry and Heavy collaborations and associated Audio Activities) This was evident at this evenings bashment....a smattering of Asian Dub Foundation in the mix , a taster of the new Little Axe album (3 years in the making.) a cool selection of classics as well as hot new dubs.

But if anything tonight was about the introduction of vocalist "Ghetto Priest." into the reggae mega mix. Ghetto Priest is a sweet powerful and conscious youthful vocalist whose collaborations with Sherwood looks set to for essential 2001 releases.

Ghetto Priest's showcase medley of "Minds"-(Playing tricks on their minds ) and "Different Eyes." highlighted his range and dexterity, here's a vocalist able to combine sweet soulful intimation with ruff ragga spiked hip-hop vibes .

Sherwood's obsession for the dancehall ethic remains alive (he is currently collaborating with Jamaica's greats Lee Perry, Delgadoe, Little Roy .. ) Nothing was more devastatingly demonstrated than with his current collaboration with Yellowman on "Wild Wild West." A Sergeo Leone inspired epic. Reggae's fixation with the myth of the Western continued tonight as this brutal radics-style dubwise riddim was dropped half-way through the show, layered with phased vocals reverse gates and all the sound and feel of an industrial strength vacuum cleaner.

Mark Stewart's vocal presence linked Sherwood's dub to the techno-fuelled rantings of Stewart's flexing global realism and cool rage, unleashing hard-core-tech mixes of "Consumed" and "Citizen Zombie". Stewarts exorcising the demons of a mass culture's dreams.

Then it was all over Pete Holdsworth dropping a conscious reggae dub plate and lights on.. Hmm ! 10-30pm.

"Like the Dead Kennedy's playing in a library " remarked someone in the awaiting departure lounge. Maybe, knowledge and power sure make an exciting combination and tonight saw the re-birthing of the dub collosus. Pass me the Rizla.....

"This is not a time of fighting it's a time of freedom. So stand fast and prepare for your judgement..."

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