Easy Star All-Stars
Dub Side Of The Moon (2003)

THE REVIEW

Imagine Gilmour & Co. on a beautiful Jamaican beach, under the shade of some palm trees with regulation joint at the lips and unkempt dreads, performing "The Dark Side Of The Moon"... in dub version!!!!!

Well, all things considered, at first listen, it might really seem like that's the scene, except that instead of our fantastic four, we have here 5 Jamaicans who truly treat reggae with great care. The sound is so perfect it would make Peter Tosh in his heyday envious! Dang, these songs re-interpreted like this are so enjoyable to listen to (and dance to!!!) (it's true, die-hard Pink Floyd fans might not take to this album kindly, although in my opinion the quality and depth of these musicians are really enviable!).

The effects are completely transformed, just consider that the intro of "Money", originally based on the sound of a cash register, has been changed to the sampled sound of a cyloom bubbling, a lighter, and the consequent coughing after lighting it... The best part is that it sounds the same as the original!!!
Moreover, how not to be amused by the intro of "time", to which our Easy added an alarm clock sample with a rooster's "cock-a-doodle-doo" and a little trumpet, and going through the whole drum'n'bass base of "On The Run"... Hilarious!!!

In short, it's really fun, mind you, absolutely not comparable to the original, but in return, in its simplicity, this project sounds really carefree and fun, especially in a period where covers have now invaded all musicians and very often (see Morgan) are simply unlistenable. Who knows, it might become the perfect soundtrack for this summer for some of you. Try, try and try again to believe it. ;)

P.S.: hey, now you might as well guillotine me, but this album is really done with all the right... um... you know!