Cool Hipnoise

Cool Hipnoise are a lucky find for anyone unaware of the exciting new ground being traversed in Portugal’s club circuits. The Lisboa trio consisting of Joao Gomes, Francisco Rebelo and Tiago Santos formed originally in 1994, and two albums later have handed over their musical tapestry to dub producer par excellence Nick Manasseh. Select Cuts Showcase & More is precisely that: a 17-track dive into their gorgeous blend of Kingston groove, Havana syncopation coming together in a startling Lisbon cocktail. Dub music fans will be utterly delighted with this Portuguese trio’s selection of treats treated with sublime style under Manasseh’s trusted hands. Adding dub poetry to the mix are Harlem’s finest the Last Poets, on "C’mon Family.” In showcase style, each vocal track is followed by its dub-heavy, instrumental version. Despite the apparent presence of numerous guest musicians, the overall mood is intensely minimalist, with steady bass riffs and congas lending a subtle layer over dub beats. Sharing the stage over various periods with the likes of Lee Perry, UB40, Dreadzone and Zion Train, Cool Hipnoise is in the company of the best in the scene. As this showcase reveals, that’s no surprise — the hipsters have their fingers on the pulse and the rhythm is intense.