Search - Dub Syndicate :: Acres of Space

Closest to the Black Ark vibe

F.N. Wright | Philadelphia, PA United States | 11/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I want to say this is the best D.S. disc of all; at least I'll say that this is currently my favorite. This one flows much easier than "Green Planet" or "Mellow and Colly." Before this one I was digging "Ital Breakfast" the most out of the 90s output. (There is a marked distiction between the 80s and 90s sound of the Syndicate.) The two "actual songs" on this disc "One in a Billion" and "Time" are freakin' tremendous. Both performances (Luciano and Capleton, respectively) are highly inspired. (I admit I'm not a huge Capleton fan, but holy Jah the man tears it up big time!) Altho this may take the sound in a more "mainstream" direction, the versions of both tunes are also included here, taking it back to the classic Dub Syndicate style. (There are a few other vocal pieces but all DJ toasting/chanting, which are also great.) What really makes the difference for me is the presence of Earl Chinna Smith on guitar, as the only guitarist, throughout the whole set. I believe it's his first appearance on a D.S. release and he really provides that genuine Jamaican feel that so much lifted "Super Ape" and other classic Jamaican reggae/dub gems to the heavens. This is the closest that Dub Syndicate/Style Scott/Adrian Sherwood has ever gotten to that Black Ark feel, I believe in large part to Chinna's playing since he was such an intregal part of Scratch's musical lineup all throughout the Black Ark years. I really find myself pulling this one out more, and keeping it out longer, than any other Dub Syndicate release, and I have them all I'm proud to say. This one also elicits the most positive comments from friends whenever I put it on. Please, sirs, can we have another?"

Chalk another one up for the masters...

Allen DeFranco | Boulder, Colorado, USA | 08/07/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The classic collaboration of Style Scott and Adrian Sherwood has done it again. While Acres of Space is a bit more mainstream than their previous releases, the unmistakeable style of Dub Syndicate is very present on this album. Some tracks are more charged than typical Syndicate releases, such as "Time", featuring the energetic chanting of Capleton. Little David, vocalist on Fear of a Green Planet's "Emmanuel" is also featured on the opening track. Dub Syndicate's well-known mellow, melodic, instrumental side is very present in this release, on such tracks as "Wake Dem Up" and "More Kaya." Acres of Space carries the very familiar feeling of perfection amongst the Syndicate's typical echoes, reverbs, and of course, praises to Jah. This album may not end up as high on your list as Fear of a Green Planet or Ital Breakfast, but it is a worthy addition to the ever-growing Dub Syndicate legacy. Rest assured, this ingenious duo is still going strong as ever."