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UK Flu

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UK Flu

By Angus Taylor on Sunday, November 7, 2010 - Comment

An infectious update of an Alton Ellis classic.

Sampler

UK colds, flu and other viruses are an occupational hazard for the visiting reggae performer. Yet just in time for the sickly season, comes a "Flu" of a more welcome kind, an uplifting 12 track rhythm album out of Tippa Irie's Croydon-based Lockdown Productions.

The title might suggest a UK-only showcase but this is a truly international release. UK Flu The original template for the rhythm is Jamaican (Alton Ellis' Breaking Up), the band is UK-meets-Germany (drums and horns from Marco Baresi and Steffen Zimmer from Leipzig’s Far East Band, Bubblers from Ruff Cutt on keyboards) while some of the voicing artists hail from the Netherlands (the rich, soulful Maikal X), Belgium (Lee Perry's late-blooming deejay son Omar), Sweden (a Jah Cure like turn from Joey Fever) and even LA (rapper and protégé of the Eurhythmics’ Dave Stewart - Nadirah X).

In the end though, the British-based artists are not to be outdone. From Colour T's Bobo message Pure and Clean to JC Lodge’s straight-up home-grown lovers rock Love Rewind, there are enough takes on this perennial backing to keep everyone happy. Veteran Maxi Priest sounds unchanged on Bonafide Love (co-written with Mr Irie), while the catchiest and most immediate effort comes from Dan I with his Auto-Tuned Come Back To Love. Tippa’s fans will know his own Truths and Rights from latest album 'Stick To My Roots'.

United Reggae's UK office was hit by a virus literally the day this promo arrived. That it didn't halt the pleasure in a single piece of this classic relick series tells you all you need to know. Take the day off work and enjoy...