While Trojan comps are a dime a dozen, heres one that should not be overlooked. Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood apparently gained reggae credentials after Easy Star All-stars turned OK Computer into a dub-scape last year and hes reaping the benefits by selecting the tracks for this CD. Greenwood clearly favours 70s roots material, with a special place in his heart for dub and Lee Perry, but the tracks he chooses are rarely obvious and his taste is impeccable. Ranking deejay Linval Thompsons "Dread Are the Controller might just be the boss-est sound around and Joe Gibbss twelve-inch mix of Marcia Aitkens "Im Still in Love not only has one of the most beloved bass lines in reggae but this version also morphs into Trinitys calling card, "Three Piece Suit. Experimental dubs by Scientist and Jammy ("Flash Gordon Meets Luke Skywalker), Lee Perry ("Black Panta) and Bunny Lee ("A Ruffer Version) will have you questioning what actually defines a reggae song, while Junior Byless cover of Peggy Lees "Fever and Marcia Griffiths take on Curtis Mayfields "Gypsy Man will remind you that reggae has always been able to successfully mix the commercial and the dread side of the music business successfully. Theres so much more here to discover. You just got to buy it.
(Trojan)Various
Jonny Greenwood is The Controller
BY Brent HagermanPublished Mar 28, 2007