"Dub Side of the Moon"
Easy Star All-Stars
Easy Star Records
An adept reggae adaptation
of Pink FloydBy Gary C.W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.comThis year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," a head trip of an album that's become a perennial favorite and also the inadvertently synchronistic (... or is it?) soundtrack to "The Wizard of Oz."
Well, if you want a decidedly different, if parallel, herb-filled jaunt down the Yellow Brick Road, try putting on this reggae take of the Floyd's '73 album. "Dub Side of the Moon" stays faithful to the original concept and execution, right down to reproducing some of its original sonic elements. What are missing are searing guitar solos a la David Gilmour; in their place, since roots-oriented reggae doesn't feature the six-string, are either guest deejay toasts by Ranking Joe (on "Time" and the dub version of "Any Colour You Like" called "Step It Pon the Rastaman Scene") and Dollarman (appropriately enough on "Money"), or horns.
This is a very adept adaptation of the original, it being surprisingly well suited for the reggae treatment by this New York-based outfit. The core band, with bassist Victor Rice laying down an especially solid pulse, play these memorable songs with respect and enough of a groove that should please both Floyd and reggae fans.
The highlight of the album is their spacious, one-drop version of "Us and Them," with a fine vocal by Frankie Paul. There's also a nice touch of Nyabinghi drums that lead in and out of the album, plus a humorous and knowing change in the opening cash register sounds of "Money," replaced with potent-sounding bong hits and coughs.
Four authoritative dub treatments are added bonus tracks to this breakout release for the label.
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