Honest review of Dreadzone,The Good,The Bad and The Dread..The Best of

lenstoptips · 05-15-2011, 03:40 PM

This is an honest review of this album ....why the other was removed I dont know....

The Good, The Bad and The Dread…The Best of……Dreadzone

It’s hard to believe that Dreadzone first released their influence on the music scene over 17 years ago and have now only now decided to release a Best of; telling the tale of their incredible legacy so far. Their music is an awesome mix of ska, dub, reggae, rock and dance which has often been copied but as we know the originals are still the best.

Zion Youth (single mix) kicks off this collection, first seen on Second Light LP and is one of four tracks taken from this iconic album. Little Britain (vocal version) follows and is still one of the most distinctive and well loved of their tracks and this version has the melodic vocals of Earl 16. Its energy and individuality is coupled with the other show stopper Captain Dread (single edit). The album would never have been allowed to be released unless these tracks were included in this collection! Love, Life and Unity (96 mix), the other selection from one of their most recognised albums, is usually an early starter at their gigs and, perfectly illustrates what the band is all about.

Ali Baba emerges as one of the selections from Biological Radio with its kicking bass and the wonderful tones of Earl 16, again gracing these tracks with the 1997 album title track itself sounding initially like its breaking into some African chant…

The album Once Upon a Time also has its presence felt with I Know and Iron Shirt. The later being a wonderful assault on the ears and I defy anyone not to tap their feet or nod their head to this. With the usual distinctive vocals on this anthem from Earl 16 again and MC Spee stamping his lyrical mark soon after, it could never have been left out.

Only two tracks appear from the groups first album, 360°, which are House of Dread; the Rio feel to this track coupled with the samba rhythm could easily have been lifted from the carnival itself. The Good, The Bad and The Dread… does what you’d think, takes you straight to the Wild West…but then you find the wonderful haunting melodies sung by guest vocalists and illustrates the diversity of all the bands previous recordings.

Digital Mastermind’s kicking bass and hot stepping rhythm, coupled with an almost Egyptian keyboard riff sits comfortably with Return of the Dread which ironically starts “sit tight and listen keenly”, which says it all. Different Planets is also taken from the album Sound released in 2001.

Gangster and American Dread appears fresh from their latest studio album, Eye On The Horizon and shows their newest work illustrating the bands ability to keep their distinctive style and sound but still evolve. With so many good tracks on this album it must have been difficult to choose. (The only notable absence from this collection was Beyond a Rock which for me is slightly sad, as it was my anthem for Glastonbury 2009).

Incredibly Fight The Power ’95 never appeared on an album but was released as a single. This shows the band doing what they do best. A Sprinkle of a social comment, which stays relevant even now, cracking bass and guitar solos ripping throughout and this has the added bonus of a easily recognised Beastie Boys sample thrown in for good measure. Try sitting still to this one…

Dreadzone stay an incredible force in many people’s musical memories, both for the group’s energy, ambience and individuality. I look forward to their next material which I have no doubt will be of similar outstanding qualities. They have an inexplicable ability to make you feel good no matter what, and you will never keep still whilst listening.

This is a stunning collection of tracks but with so many to choose from, we should expect to see a “best of……” volumes two and three….following soon!

The conclusion is that this is a stone skipping over the sea of their past catalogue that you will only appreciate by listening to it all or better still, see them at their best…live…

I shall leave the last words for the last track…….”only Dread will come over.”

Respect…..

Review by Michael Hibbit

05-15-2011, 03:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
lenstoptips Groupie Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1	Honest review of Dreadzone,The Good,The Bad and The Dread..The Best of This is an honest review of this album ....why the other was removed I dont know.... The Good, The Bad and The Dread…The Best of……Dreadzone It’s hard to believe that Dreadzone first released their influence on the music scene over 17 years ago and have now only now decided to release a Best of; telling the tale of their incredible legacy so far. Their music is an awesome mix of ska, dub, reggae, rock and dance which has often been copied but as we know the originals are still the best. Zion Youth (single mix) kicks off this collection, first seen on Second Light LP and is one of four tracks taken from this iconic album. Little Britain (vocal version) follows and is still one of the most distinctive and well loved of their tracks and this version has the melodic vocals of Earl 16. Its energy and individuality is coupled with the other show stopper Captain Dread (single edit). The album would never have been allowed to be released unless these tracks were included in this collection! Love, Life and Unity (96 mix), the other selection from one of their most recognised albums, is usually an early starter at their gigs and, perfectly illustrates what the band is all about. Ali Baba emerges as one of the selections from Biological Radio with its kicking bass and the wonderful tones of Earl 16, again gracing these tracks with the 1997 album title track itself sounding initially like its breaking into some African chant… The album Once Upon a Time also has its presence felt with I Know and Iron Shirt. The later being a wonderful assault on the ears and I defy anyone not to tap their feet or nod their head to this. With the usual distinctive vocals on this anthem from Earl 16 again and MC Spee stamping his lyrical mark soon after, it could never have been left out. Only two tracks appear from the groups first album, 360°, which are House of Dread; the Rio feel to this track coupled with the samba rhythm could easily have been lifted from the carnival itself. The Good, The Bad and The Dread… does what you’d think, takes you straight to the Wild West…but then you find the wonderful haunting melodies sung by guest vocalists and illustrates the diversity of all the bands previous recordings. Digital Mastermind’s kicking bass and hot stepping rhythm, coupled with an almost Egyptian keyboard riff sits comfortably with Return of the Dread which ironically starts “sit tight and listen keenly”, which says it all. Different Planets is also taken from the album Sound released in 2001. Gangster and American Dread appears fresh from their latest studio album, Eye On The Horizon and shows their newest work illustrating the bands ability to keep their distinctive style and sound but still evolve. With so many good tracks on this album it must have been difficult to choose. (The only notable absence from this collection was Beyond a Rock which for me is slightly sad, as it was my anthem for Glastonbury 2009). Incredibly Fight The Power ’95 never appeared on an album but was released as a single. This shows the band doing what they do best. A Sprinkle of a social comment, which stays relevant even now, cracking bass and guitar solos ripping throughout and this has the added bonus of a easily recognised Beastie Boys sample thrown in for good measure. Try sitting still to this one… Dreadzone stay an incredible force in many people’s musical memories, both for the group’s energy, ambience and individuality. I look forward to their next material which I have no doubt will be of similar outstanding qualities. They have an inexplicable ability to make you feel good no matter what, and you will never keep still whilst listening. This is a stunning collection of tracks but with so many to choose from, we should expect to see a “best of……” volumes two and three….following soon! The conclusion is that this is a stone skipping over the sea of their past catalogue that you will only appreciate by listening to it all or better still, see them at their best…live… I shall leave the last words for the last track…….”only Dread will come over.” Respect….. Review by Michael Hibbit