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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Clashing cultures… wonderful. Maverick music maker John Wardle aka Jah Wobble spent July and August 2008 bringing the UK a feast of his groundbreaking show Chinese Dub. Some might draw comparisons with Damien Albarn’s high profile project Monkey: Journey To The West. Not having seen either show, it’s impossible to make comparisons. The legendary bassist, one-time member of PiL, is married to Chinese born Guzheng and harp player Zi Lan Liao, so this is probably influenced by her. According to sources, Chinese Dub was a visual and aural spectacular and so is this album, on his own label 30 Hertz. Check 30hertzrecords.com/chinesedub We mustn’t forget at this point that this music was intended to accompany a visual performance, but out of context, it still makes a great listen. Also on board are the delightful vocals of Chinese singers Wang Jingqi and Gu Yinji who both add the indigenous timbre of the Orient. His boys John, (Glockenspiel and Dai Hu) and Charlie (on Gao Hu) are also in on the act, making it a real family affair. They play on Dragon And Phoenix.
Only somebody of Wobble’s quality could pull this off. He retains the regions sensibilities (Cantonese melodies principally) adding his unique dub ethos. This is probably best featured on L1 Dub. His thumping basslines blend brilliantly of this sprightly jaunt. He was also keen to capture the strands of the Yunnan, Mongolian and Tibetan folk styles, which he’s fond of. Its execution is brilliantly performed by the other seven musicians including Zi Lan Liao. Amongst the many highlights are the funky dub reggae of Dragon And Phoenix Dub, the hauntingly beautiful L1 Dub with Clive Bell’s stunning flute work, though it’s Gu Yinji’s Mongolian vocal that steals the show on Walking The Horse. It’s incredible the genius effect a drone can have, which covers the entirety of the first three tracks, texturised by various instruments. The Verdict: Simply brilliant.
Radio: Hear tracks soon on wrexhamfm.com
Weblink: 30hertzrecords.com
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
