Deadbeat – New World Observer

Low and slow -- that's the beauty of Deadbeat's _New World Observer_. Scott Monteith, the man behind Deadbeat, creates more spacious forms of dub, from the floating French vocals on "Port-Au-Prince" to the languid "N'Importe Quoi." The distorted and disembodied voices on "Abu Ghraib" lend an eerie sheen to an otherwise apolitical track (except for its title, obviously). "Texas Tea" adds some delicacy to its thick beats, surprising for a track named after crude petroleum, and anyone expecting a Christmas carol from “O Little Town of Bethlehem” will be sorely disappointed. Female vocals make a return on “Ruination,” a slow, trippy path through rhythm and reverb. And finally, "Habitat for Heavy Hearts" evokes an insect-ridden nighttime soundscape, a strange and wondrous place for a strange and wondrous album.

Fabulous dub monster. N'importe starts with this plodding, delicious, deep-slow vibe, then turns into a driving upbeat semi-glitch train wreck. Texas Tea is dub at its best with sexy wet vocal thrown in for good measure. Thought provoking experimental masterpiece in Abu Ghriab. Experimental ambient genre-bending soundscapes. Gloriously produced throughout. Find this at all costs!

Deadbeat's latest features some vocals now and is more funky and vivid than his previous work. Port-Au-Prince deserves as special mention - the track makes a perfect dancehall killer with it's clicky uplifting mood.