High and mighty, 1976’s “Super Ape” saw Lee “Scratch” Perry move away from no-more-roots reggae and make dub a standalone concept, defining the genre in terms of pure studio implementation. It might have become an established technique in the following four decades, vocals being weeded out and/or fogged in the clouds of echo with bass taken to the fore, but the legendary producer still keeps ahead of the curve and, with the help of SUBATOMIC SOUND SYSTEM, releases an updated version of his classic album. Out on September 22nd as CD, vinyl and download, “Super Ape Returns To Conquer” marries live instruments to electronica as captured in concert and mixed on the spot, thus preserving music’s instantaneous energy in a Black Ark manner. It took the New York collective seven years of backing the Jamaican veteran to find a way of reflecting his ideas through modern technology, and here’s the result.
Elements of old “Super Ape” and fresh additions render the record truly special. That’s how it rolls (read the review):
SUBATOMIC SOUND SYSTEM –
Super Ape Returns To Conquer
1. New Ark Subatomic Energy
2. Zion’s Blood
3. Chase the Devil
4. War Ina Babylon
5. Dread Lion
6. Patience Dub
7. Super Ape
8. Curly Dub (Sing Along Jah Jah Children)
9. Underground Roots
10. Dub Along
11. Go Deya (Three In One)
12. So It Conquer
13. Croaking Lizard (dubstrumental mix)
14. Black Vest (dubstrumental mix)
15. Super Ape (dubstrumental mix)
16. Dread Lion (dubstrumental mix)
