Ticklah - Ticklah vs. Axelrod

Ticklah the producer (Dub Side of the Moon / Radiodread) and Axelrod the instrumentalist (Antibalas) collaborate on this album, which isn't so surprising, considering they are the same person. As schizophrenic as this may make the album title sound, this is in fact a well-balanced blend of minor-key, uptempo dub, and upbeat roots reggae. Tracks like Two Face and Scratch to Win have the driving percussion and steady basslines of good wholesome dub, whilst Want Not has the soulful vocals of Tamar-Kali, and horns lift the tone in the bright cubano-reggae inspired Mi Sonsito. Close attention has been paid to production, and interesting samples abound with subtleties that promise to keep the listener interested. Yet all too often repetitive song structures mean that many tracks have the danger of becoming tedious by their end. Nevertheless, its good music to walk down a sunny street to, and thanks goes to Ticklah vs. Axelrod for bringing some life back to an increasingly electrified dub world. [Josh Coppersmith Heaven]