Dub Narcotic Sound System
leader and
K Records
founder
Calvin Johnson
has stated that
is, on at least one level, a band whose records could be played at parties by musicians who didn't want to listen to their own music anymore.
Rhythm Record, Vol. 1: Echos From the Scene Control Room
is the epitome of that facet of
DNSS
' sound. Unlike the more
indie rock
-based (but still dubby funky)
Boot Party
, on most of which's tracks
Johnson
sang in his foggy baritone,
Rhythm Record
is straight-up
house
-band,
-party limber
funk
instrumentals. This version of
includes, though,
-era members
Larry Butler
,
Tod Ranslow
, and
Brian Weber
, among others. The cuts aren't given many dubbed-out effects; rather, these songs seem designed to be the source from which other producers can pull beats, basslines, and other groove elements. It seems as likely a candidate for that sort of plundering as any record in the bin, but where
truly succeeds is a mood-inducing aural wallpaper that eventually seeps into the conscious part of the listening brain, enough to make one want to move their behind. Featuring ten rubbery tunes that range from spacey to sweaty,
is a tribute to the
Stax
-era
band and the ability of D.I.Y. rockers to stretch out of the stale musical mold into which they're often cast. The personnel appearing here represent a who's who of the
musical community, with multiple folks taking turns working it out on drums, bass, bongos, guitar, trumpet, organ, and melodica. They all end up, in
's funky sauce, making the party sound that much more fun. ~ Chris Handyside