Dub Colossus

Addis To Omega (IRL)

4/5

YOU could do an awful lot worse than making this latest outing from Dub Colossus one of your soundtracks of the summer.

The band fronted by Nick Page — aka Dubulah — have been mining the rich seam of Jamaican reggae and Ethiopian blues and jazz since their debut album in 2006 and this, their fourth release, should both please their many die-hard fans and newcomers to what seems like an inexhaustible source of inspiration. 

Despite their popularity, commuting between Addis and Britain to record proved an over-expensive initiative and Addis To Omega has been mainly produced by Britain-based artists.    

The agenda is set from the off with the infectious dancehall anthem Boom Ka Boom (And The Dub Disciples). It  provides  a riveting fusion of contemporary reggae and jazz dub, driven by top-drawer vocals from Joseph Cotton.

Later, there’s more “lovers’ rock” oriented delivery but those softer tones are interspersed by  hard-driving brass from the Horns Of Negus which light the fire under tracks like Fight Back.

Other artists — PJ Higgins, Mykael S Riley, Natacha Atlas, Albert Kuvezin and Winston Blisse—make committed contributions.

But it’s  Dubulah himself who steals the show with Madmen, whose pointed political lyrics typify the radical world view to be found on other tracks like Family Man. 

It’s that combination of excellently produced  material and hard-hitting content that make Addis To Omega a must-buy.  

LEN PHELAN