Review: Hollie Cook - Move My Way (Black Science Orchestra Remixes) (Merge Records)

Hollie Cook's new single, taken from her album 'Happy Hour' is all you'd expect from the 'Lil' Slit' with her reputation for bouncey lovers rock that here is produced with the help of Youth. 

It's backed by a track called 'Unkind Love' and if you are a fan of her 2011 debut album on Mr Bongo (produced by Dennis Bovel that got full  Prince Fatty dub overhaul) you'll won't be surprised by the quality of this new material.

What perhaps will surprise you (thanks to Mrs Ramrock, Jo Wallace for pointing this out) is that there's a Black Science Orchestra remix and dub versions.  We've not seen/heard these guys since Junior Boy's Own/Afro Art way back. 

The remix is very much in a disco-shuffle-jazz-funk groove and with a proper 'dub'; it's going to get you moving as the synths and percussion take on a very 80s go-go vibe with reggae island horns and organ; what more could you ask for? Kitchen sink? (only kidding).

Lets hope this is the start of Black Science Orchestra taking on more remixes like this.

P.S. There's an interview with Ashley Beedle in the new DISCO POGO magazine [#2] in which he covers his Black Science Orchestra days and much more.

Artist: Hollie Cook 

Title: Move My Way (Black Science Orchestra Remixes) 

Release Date : 14th September, 2022

Catalog Number : 

Label : Merge Records

Format: Digital

Review: Ghetto Priest X D.Foe - Snapshot Of Reality EP (Ramrock Records)

When it comes to the team behind Ramrock Records, who would be surprised that their latest release is Marvel styled 'dystopian' goodness.  

This 4 track EP is themed with an end of the world vibe brought on by toxic waste (are you listening utility companies?) via a Bristolian dub heritage.  The title track speaks for itself but you want to get heavy?  Yes I do - the deeper 'Self Dialogue' goes off into a strings vs. spaghetti western dub, twangy guitars seem to be 'in' at the moment.  The Sly remix is fully dubbed touching Bauhaus way (good one for forthcoming Halloween - I take it Bela Lugosi is still dead]'

'Land of Origins' is a anitdote to the dystopia with a theme of "love not hate"; it'd be cool mixtape starter but so is 'Self Dialogue' as there's lots of tension and growing hypnotic angst.

Equally mad is that the cover artwork is from fellow Ramrock artist, Greg Blackman (yes, he of the last review on YOU AND THE MUSIC with Mr Bird ft Greg Blackman - Over Again (Ramrock Records)  Who'd have guessed and more evidence that it's best to buy all of the label's releases.

Ramrock/ Ramrock Blue/ Ramrock Red · 01. Ghetto Priest X D.Foe - Snapshot Of Reality

Artist: Ghetto Priest x D​.​Foe 

Title: Snapshot of Reality EP

Release date: 19th September, 2022

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR032

Format: Digital