Mossman

Mossman's Montreal massive strikes again. Message in the Dub is old and new vibes rolled into one. It was completed over five years ago and represents Mossman's debut disc. Since then he's recorded two more discs, both sounding somewhat different than this one. Message is a dub version of local legends Jah Children Band's only album. Although his Perry-esque dub tactics are already in evidence, the source material is heavy on electronic drum pads and keyboards, sounding very much like a contemporary roots band of the ’90s rather than Mossman’s self-produced skewed take on ’70s rhythms. Also, because this is a dub album based on a band's full-length project, it has a consistency of sound that contrasts with Mossman's other discs that featured diverse instrumental and technological line-ups from track to track. This adds even more room for experimentation, though, as different approaches are required to make each track sound unique. "Born in Dub” is a wonderful two-part journey, the second half being dubbed out funde drums and ethereal vocals, spiked with one or two beat punch-ins of the main riddim. "One Fine Day” is also great, the most vocal track on the disc and heavy reliant on the flanger. The liner notes allude to "ghetto politricks” holding up this disc’s release; whatever the specifics, it’s nice to finally see this come out, and it will make Mossman’s next album seem like an even greater contrast, which in the world of dub is a definite virtue.