Audiopile Review: On-U Sound founder Adrian Sherwood is one of those quintessential British underground figures whose career encompasses reggae, punk, and all manner of experimental weirdness. His singular vision and extreme productivity are equivalent to a figure such as the godlike Peter Hammill, just to pick a completely random example, without much forethought or any hidden agenda. One of Sherwood’s most enduring projects was Dub Syndicate, primarily a collaboration with Roots Radics drummer Style Scott. And boy are we excited that the ongoing On-U reissue series has alighted on Dub Syndicate’s albums from the first half of the 1990s. All these albums are fantastic, but 1991’s ‘Stoned Immaculate’ is absolutely the project’s best release. Whereas early Dub Syndicate albums showcase Sherwood’s mastery of classic dub techniques, not to mention his access to some of reggae’s top session players, the early 90s work is distinctly wilder and more electronic. ‘Stoned Immaculate’ is full of stuttering samples, pinging syn-drums, and psychedelic chaos. Totally stoned and utterly immaculate. ‘Strike The Balance’ is a close runner-up, though, as it features ‘Cuss Cuss’ and ‘Mafia’, two of Dub Syndicate’s hoojest choons.  ‘Echomania’, ‘Ital Breakfast’, and ‘Obscured by Version’ are also available this week. All are, if we’re honest, essential for On-U fans.

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