On the initiative of Harrison Stafford, leader of the US band Groundation, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their mythic album “Hebron Gate“, Brain Damage revisited its nine tracks : here is not about bare remixes or another dub album, but a true reinvention of that monument of contemporary reggae, a complete recomposition, from the original takes, which will be taken to a further level when performed live on stage by Martin Nathan / Brain Damage.
It is about surprising, a bare succession of remixes, re-mastered tracks or simple dub mixes won’t hit the mark. Of course, the original versions shouldn’t only briefly be referred to, and the whole result should be accessible and consistent. A second birth. Keen on this kind of challenging exercise, the French producer tackles it with the precision he is known for, and initially dissects the piece, daring to extract and isolate each note. With this colossal work done, all sorts of moves are now possible: re-composition, harmony changes, integration of recording scraps, outer and new part additions.
The Californians’ unique style, melting reggae and jazz, fills here with a different energy, psychedelic, more introspective, surely confusing at first for the fans, but soon exciting, for them as for the neophytes. A true reinvention of a monument of contemporary reggae for a completely new album, in essence highly recommended for Groundation fans for an “Alice in Wonderland” like trip, but also for all reggae and dub enthusiasts and every curious music-lovers.
Dreaming From An Iron Gate
Release : 26.05.2023
cd, 2xLP, digital • Baco Music
1 Between Earth And Zion
2 Forgiveness
3 Spitfire
4 Deaf Ears
5 All I’ve Seen Today
6 A New Star
7 They Are Wrong
8 Dreaming From An Iron Gate
9 The Garden
