CLUBS

It’s dub. It’s live. It’s the Mad Professor, obviously. Adam Anonymous twiddles some knobs.

A death and a rebirth in one night seems an overwhelming combination, though that’s the formula for Pama International vs Mad Professor and Babyhead’s multi-faceted extravaganza at Fiddlers. On the one hand, skanking hometown party crew Babyhead are likely to offer a sneaky peek of overdue dark third album ‘Heavy Weather’, out 1 November on Rockers Revolt. On the other, it’s the final ever Bristol date for groundbreaking Brit dub reggae collective Pama International. And they’re going out on a high, having decided to call time on a decade-long career that’s seen them support The Specials, Jimmy Cliff and Madness and become the first new band to sign for seminal label Trojan in three decades.

This tour animates momentous parting shot ‘Rewired! In Dub’, aka last year’s ‘Pama Outernational’ album lent a full-length re-imagination by veritable living dub legend Mad Professor. The fruits of what Mad Professor labels a “very enjoyable” recording experience (“I mix and add overdubs,” the celebrated Guyana-born producer/engineer clarifies), the project was five years in the pipeline after he met Pama International while sharing a bill in East London. “Mad Professor’s pedigree and legacy speaks for itself,” enthuses Pama International keyboardist Sean Flowerdew. “I started listening to him back in 1990. He was my first introduction to dub, but I also love his other work.”

Now in his mid-50s, Mad Professor is busier than ever, talking to us via email direct from Brazil, part of his ceaseless global touring. But he’s not forgotten Bristol, having enjoyed strong links since rewiring Massive Attack on classic dubbed-up 1995 LP ‘No Protection’. “A very good homely kinda city, very welcoming,” is how he remembers it.

“Totally!” Mad Professor exclaims, meanwhile, when we enquire how much playing solo varies from shows with Pama International. “With the band it’s two different vibes, different musicians contributing.”

Every ticket for the Fiddlers show generously comes with a free digital copy of ‘Rewired! In Dub’ ahead of its full release (also on Rockers Revolt on 1 Nov). And despite the fact that Pama International’s live life will be over by Christmas, one final record, crossing sonic swords with recent Roots Manuva remixer Wrongtom, is due in January. “‘Rewired! In Dub’ was liberating, giving the masters to Prof and letting him do his thing,” Flowerdew concludes. “I’m sure it’ll be exactly the same taking it live: very creative, very inspirational and very enjoyable. Live dub like no other!” 

PAMA INTERNATIONAL VS MAD PROFESSOR PLAYED FIDDLERS, BRISTOL ON SAT 9 OCT.
 

Copyright Adam Anonymous 2010

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