Search - Rootsman :: Versions of the Unseen Ep

Beautiful dub mayhem - diverse and satisfying.

11/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In their continuing campaign to create a worldwide dub collective, the boys at Portland's BSI Records have hooked up with UK pioneer The Rootsman for an EP of remixes and reinterpretations, his first US release. Despite the heavy hand of studio wizards like San Francisco's Landau and France's metal god Ras Boras, all six tracks sound like they've flowed from the same fountain, while still displaying amazing variety. "Al Andalus (Dub #2)" is sparse and haunting, while "Imitator (Landau Remake)" is cacophonous, with beats crashing into each other and piling up like wrecked cars on the I-5. The two versions of "Beyond the Hills" have easy rhythms and textured, idyllic melodies, while the original "Al Andalus" energizes the disc with hip-hop beats and the flow of MC Johnny Lone. Clocking in at just over 30 minutes, Versions of the Unseen EP delivers more satisfying music than most full-lengths, and Portland should be proud of BSI's bid to move to the forefront of progressive music. Don't let this music go unheard. Jamie S. Rich"

A wonderful and varied EP - Dub, drum n bass, hip-hop...

Stephen Klusza | Philadelphia, PA | 11/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"it is a wonderful EP. IIRC, two tracks come from the Realms of the Unseen, Al Andalus (w/ MC Johnny Lone) and the Hills are Alive. Al Andalus is a great hip-hopish track, Johnny Lone has a laidback style to his rap. Al Andalus Dub 1 and 2 are basically different dub takes on the track. The original The Hills are Alive fuses dub, and reggae over a hip-hopish beat with an awesome synth melody and an absolutely wonderful female voice sings (maybe Dayjah?). The Ras Boras is a great remix of it and landau's reamke of Imitator is a whacked-out computer bleeping stuttering jungle/d n' b like track. It is a very varied EP, and I think it is great for getting a feel of what the Rootsman does."

Killer EP of futuristic dub, dancehall, and hip-hop.

Stephen Klusza | 11/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is definitely the hardest Rootsman release I've heard yet - maybe because it feels like a full length, but isn't. No filler! Six tracks that span the range from solid dub and funky downtempo that'll make you bob your head, to Landau's drum and bass explosion. The MC on Al Andalus kicks some serious lyrics too. If you've never heard the Rootsman, check this release out first, and if you have, grab this cheap EP - worth every cent..."