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Ever since his debut album Basslines that came out in the mid-eighties, Laswell has been in great demand on the decks and has produced many classics including Panthalassa: The Music Of Miles Davis 1969-1974 and the remix Dreams Of Freedom- Ambient Mix Translations of Bob Marley In Dub.

Roots Tonic are the backing band of Matisyahu who had a Laswell produced album Youth out earlier this year. I’m not sure about Matisyahu’s brand of Hasidic reggae, even if Sam Endicott (The Bravery) tipped him as the next big thing for 2006.

The thing is, without Matisyahu, as soon as the you hear the opening to ‘Road To Axun’ with the thundering bassline and the sound efx, you know this is an old skool 70’s dub appreciation CD. And that’s one thing I am sure we all love. Even if it’s the closest to what King Tubby was doing thirty years ago, it’s worth the investment on that basis alone.

The band of Josh Werner (bass), Johah David (Drums) and Aaron Dugan (Guitar) are a really tight unit. Laswell’s board work doesn’t overshadow the band and other highlights are ‘Akademicus Du Umbeigu’, the echo chamber on ‘JD3’, the space ships on ‘Instrument Of The Trinity’ and the excellent ‘Healing Of The Nations’.

Having said that, there are no duff tracks on this CD at all. And if anyone says that all dub just sounds the same, compare this CD with Mossman Meets Vander and convince them it’s not (even if a Jah Wobble line connects both CDs).

As the label says, “Support Independent Music” and get out ya bass bins for what is ideal for Notting Hill Carnival Weekend along with all the other great reggae tracks we’ve had this summer such as, YT, Gentleman and Serocee.

Hectic Mix Nomination: ‘Road To Axun’ & ‘Healing Of The Nations’

Reveiwed: Roots Tonic meets Bill Laswell - Roots Tonic Meets Bill Laswell (ROIR -Reachout International Records) Cat. No RUSCD 8297 Release date: July 2006

Tracklisting:
1. Road To Axun (5:34)
2. Concrete Sunrise (5:23)
3. Akademicus Du Umbeigu (5:10)
4. JD3 (6:35)
5. Employees Must Wash Your Hands (6:10)
6. Instrument Of The Trinity (6:29)
7. Healing Of The Nations (5:48)
8. Clean Escape (The Crew Is Here) (6:09)

Links
www.roir-usa.com
The Music of Bill Laswell, Buckethead, Jah Wobble & related www.turning-groove.de
www.matismusic.com
www.myspace.com/matisyahu
Guardian Dec2005 - Hottest Acts for 2006
Recommended Record Stores
Play De Record, 376 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario tel 416-586-0380 Web Site: www.playderecord.com
Beat-nick, 3770 St. Denis, Montréal, Québec Web Site: www.beat-nickmusic.com
Fred’s Records. 198 Duckworth Street, St. John’s, Newfoundland tel. 709-753-9191 Email: FredsLtd@canada.com. Web Site: www.freds.nf.ca
BOP City Records, 211 Simms St. Courtenay, BC tel. 250-338-6621