In Print  Home  Directories  Reviews  Get In Touch  Forums  Links  Gig Guide  

Dave Dobbyn: Anotherland

On paper the combination of Dave Dobbyn and producer Adrian Sherwood (English dub-reggae maniac behind the ON-U Sound label) may seem a little strange, but both have always searched for the soul that is the centre of everything they produce. Recorded in London 'Anotherland' is the result of this unlikely combination and it sees Sherwood drawing some of the best vocal performances for years out of Dobbyn on a set of slow paced ballads that echo their soul, R'n'B and reggae influences. Though it may not have the immediacy of previous Dobbyn efforts the album grows on you with its slow grooves, slinky horn lines and the subtle sonic touches that are a hallmark of Sherwood's work. Lyrically all the usual suspects are here, the land, water, the human condition and the inevitable ups and downs that are part of everyday relationships, and once again Dobbyn has produced some gorgeous melodies to support these universal themes. It's another side of Dave Dobbyn that before now has rarely surfaced, but thanks to his unlikely pairing with Sherwood he has taken the best of what he does and moulded it into something new.

Related Information