Issue 803
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Movie Reviews with Simon ThomsenJah Wobble/Bill Laswell: Radioaxiom – a dub transmissionFestival Mushroom
They've played for just about everyone who's ever strung two notes together over the last two decades. And the pun is intended in saying they're now playing with each other to write, produce and ‘direct' this dub-laden jam of brooding soundscapes dominated by prowling, lush basslines. Of course the talent carries the day, with Sly & Robbie's Sly Dunbar belting out polyrhythmic percussion amidst tabla, haunting jittery trumpet notes, African vocals and jagged guitar rhythms. As the duo explain in the liner notes 'Radioaxiom is a study in low-end theory, combining bass and beats to create an ‘alien broadcast' of dub tracks that draw further strength from modern jazz fusion, African and Jamaican rhythm styles and ambient electronics.' And a high distinction for that thesis Professor Wobble! If you're a bass buff with jazz tendencies, you won't be disappointed, despite the dark tone in many of the seven tracks – which noodle along for between 6 and 8 minutes each. Rating: 3 stars Club Byron: Green Shed Session Vol. 1301 RecordsNow that everyone with two Goldfrapp or Air tracks to rub together is putting out some sort of chill compilation, it's refreshing to find a laid back concept album that's not only original, but also local. The story behind this 12 tracker, featuring guest vocals Grace Knight, Doug Williams, Ava Fardon and Nyrie McKenzie, is almost as fascinating as the music. Tom Misner, the driving force behind the proposed international music academy in Byron Bay, has recording studios around the globe, including the low key Greensheds in Byron Bay. Misner's rumoured to be one of the most expensive engineers in the world. Listening to Club Byron you can hear why – the production is crisp and clean. If there's one gripe, the whole album sounds a little too tightly controlled and overproduced. If there are ‘real' instruments used, they all end up sounding electronic. Misner shares the production, engineering, mixed, programming and playing duties on Club Byron with Jochen Miller. It's a laidback mix of soul, funk, dance and ambient electro-doodles. Vocoda-infused vocals of newcomer Nyrie Mckenzie drift across the dreamy opening track ‘Ba di di da', while Grace Knight pops on the disco diva clogs for the R 'n' B-ish ‘Stay'. Doug Williams is suitably soulful, crooning a love song, but Dolphin winner Ava is dealt the weakest card in the deck on Latin-tinged ‘Love Boat'. The standout track is the jaunty instrumental ‘Dance Groove Number 9' – a joyous summer driving track to bop along to. Rating: 3 ½ stars
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Fans of four strings driving the rhythm section will recognise the names Jah Wobble and Bill Laswell – two musicians regarded as the bass players' bass players. 
