Hostile Environment is the first album in over forty years from the legendary Creation Rebel, who were the original On-U Sound house band and responsible for classics such as Dub from Creation and Starship Africa. The trio of Crucial Tony, Eskimo Fox and Magoo are back with producer Adrian Sherwood to create a modern spin on their heavyweight dubwise rhythms.
The sound of the album is surprisingly diverse, low-slung funk through to spaced out, psychedelic dub, and even inspirational, soulful and warm R&B. A clue to this eclectic approach comes in the form of penultimate track ‘The People’s Sound’, which pays tribute to West London sound system operator Daddy Vego. All of these tracks could fit into the kind of blues parties and shubeen dances the band members grew up on, and whose influence forms an intrinsic part of their musical DNA. Producer Adrian Sherwood is on a hot streak currently, having masterminded late career renaissance records from the likes of Lee “Scratch” Perry and Horace Andy. On Hostile Environment he repeats the trick, teaming up with these incredible players and longtime friends to craft a worthy showcase for their collective talents.