Creation Rebel
began in the late '70s, consisting of members of the legendary
Prince Far I
's backing band,
the Arabs
.
Dennis Bovell
engineered the group's first album,
Dub from Creation
, which was the very first production by
Adrian Sherwood
, and the debut release on his
Hitrun
label, the precursor to
On-U Sound
. The group's lineup shifted frequently, and they backed
and other artists on-stage and in studio, playing gigs with
the Clash
,
the Slits
, and
Don Cherry
. Their most groundbreaking release, 1980's
Starship Africa
, is as futuristic as dub gets, and it remains a serious contender for best dub album of all time. The group attempted a more commercial sound afterwards, and after
was murdered in his Jamaican home in 1983,
disbanded. Several decades later,
invited three of the group's members (guitarist
Crucial Tony
, drummer and vocalist
Eskimo Fox
, percussionist and vocalist
Ranking Magoo
) to join him for live dates, and they gradually worked on music together during the COVID-19 lockdown. The result,
Hostile Environment
, is the first
album in over 40 years.
The album's title is a reference to one of the harshest immigration policies in U.K. history, introduced by former Prime Minister Theresa May, and it serves as a reminder of the oppression that refugees have consistently faced for ages. With all that in mind, the music is uplifting, acknowledging the daily struggle and pressure but still expressing joy and gratitude. The arrangements are tight, melodic, and groove-heavy, but
Sherwood
and company still go off the rails with crazy effects when inspiration strikes. The album is a well-rounded mixture of conscious lyrics, pop melodies, and far-out dub heaviness.
remains the group's guiding spirit, and his ghostly baritone makes appearances on two tracks, including "This Thinking Feeling" with
Daddy Freddy
. "Stonebridge Warrior" is a gorgeous melodica showcase, and "That's More Like It" is a slow, mesmerizing wash-out in the vein of
and other heavy dub excursions. "Whatever It Takes," a song about strength and perseverance with
Adrian
's daughter
Denise Sherwood
on harmony vocals, is the album's most traditional reggae-pop tune, and "The Peoples' Sound (Tribute to Daddy Vego)" is a more rousing celebration, paying respect to the late promoter and sound system legend. Rounding out the album are more sweet, spacy dub tracks like "Salutation Gardens" and "Off the Spectrum."
is a triumphant comeback effort, and it continues
's run of late-career highlights from veterans like
African Head Charge
and
Horace Andy
. ~ Paul Simpson