Barry Biggs
Illusion

Inspired by the land we live on and the connection to all that have gone before and will follow, inspired by the multicultural power of our community, inspired by the paradox of the story of the Black Buddha. From the perversity of the pandemic and its imposition of separation comes Good Evening Black Buddha, celebrating togetherness. Darkness is light.At the heart of Black Jesus Experience’s inspiration is Ethiopian/Australian singer Enushu Taye. Enushu’s openness and poetic insight, delivered with unique beauty in her own Amharic tongue. Also including full fourteen piece polyrhythmic, polymetric, polytonal Ethiofunk juggernaut with six-piece horn arrangements.

Mysticisms keeps the Dubplate series moving, welcoming one of the seminal Dub producers of all time in Scientist. His unique studio techniques and understanding of rhythm are exalted and present on Step It Up, a enlightening example of his genius and matched with a widescreen remix by label associate DJ Normal 4 aka DJN4, teaming up with fellow Dusseldorf producer AKI AKI, to offer a dreamland breaks-steppers anthem.The fact that Hopeton Overton Brown aka Scientist is one of the true pioneers of Dub music is undisputed. His productions, first as an apprentice at Studio One, then breaking through whilst teamed at King Tubby’s studio, led to Channel One and a series of seminal Dub masterpieces throughout the 1980s, mixing engineer Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes’ productions with the Roots Radics, alongside vocalists Barrington Levy, Jonny Osbourne and Jah Thomas.Step It Up precedes, taken from the period of seminal Tubby’s work with Bunny Lee’s house band, The Aggrovators. As often with Reggae’s history, much is disputed, however, this unmistakable Scientist production showcases Brown’s high pass filters in effect, the trademark riding 4/4 – 4 track – mixing desk, a joyous bounce.Working on the license from the outset, Tim Schumacher aka DJN4, waited in the wings to dive in the desk for a modern-day remix. Partnering with up-and-coming producer Aki Vierboom (Phaserboys / Candomble), the Digi-Dance MixX is bass-quaking histrionics, a steppers meets rave culture overdose that will be heard from festivals to dancehalls, a righteous dub-breaks riddim y’all.