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Pressure
(Rephlex, 2003) The Bug (aka Kevin Martin) is a reggae journalist, remixer and music maker who has also performed as Techno Animal, Ice and God. Pressure is The Bug’s first full-length album. It features a number of guest vocalists including Daddy Freddy, Toastie Taylor, Roger Robinson, Paul St Hilaire, The Rootsman, and He Man. Pressure varies between the hardest of dancehall and bare ragga on "Killer" and "Politicians and Paedophiles" to the warm, rootsy dancehall of "Live and Learn." The real strength of this album is the variety, sentiment and power of the vocal performers that are presented. Without the vocals this project would be like Pole or Rhythm & Sound, but with them we have an energy-filled album that can hold its own with the other artists on Rephlex Records as well as those on Tigerbeat 6, Digital Hardcore, On-U Sound and Maximum Pressure. A modern reggae album that's not for the purist or lightweight listener. If you like to hear challenging music that involves roots, dancehall, ragga and toasting then check this out. Jerry Dammers is a fan of The Bug and it's easy to see why. - ragudave |
| Track Listing 1. Politicians and Paedophiles 2. Beats Bombs Bass Weapons 3. Executor 4. Live and Learn 5. Thief of Dreams 6. Superbird 7. Run the Place Red 8. Night Steppa 9. Some Days 10. Fuck Y-Self 11. Killer 12. Living Dub |
Aktion Pak (Rephlex, 2004)
*GUEST
REVIEW*
Normally
I avoid buying EPs and singles, but after hearing the haunting title track I
made an exception. This EP has three new tracks and five versions of tracks from
Bug’s debut album Pressure, and Warrior Queen and Ras B provide guest vocals.
The music here is strictly dancehall and very memorable. The dub versions show
the strength of the raw beats that The Bug works with. Imagine a film called the
Hammer House of Dancehall and you are partly there. Some of the dubs sound like
gabba on 33 or hard drum and bass. If you are fed up buying Blood & Fire,
Pressure Sounds and Trojan compilations and want something different, then give
some Kevin Martin (The Bug) a try.
- ragudave
| Track Listing 1.Aktion Pak with Warrior Queen 2. 3.Aktion Pak (Politicians Version) with Warrior Queen 4.Aktion Pak [Bomb Version] 5.Aktion Pak [Super Version] 6.Aktion Pak [Red Version] 7.Aktion Pak [Fuck Version] 8.Pain Yu A Ga Feel with Ras B |
Fire (Klein, 2005)
*GUEST
REVIEW*
The Bug is still advancing his own brand of dancehall. The
Fire EP has vocals from Ras B who worked on Kevin's Aktion Pak
EP. Two vocal and two versions are included on this twelve inch.
"Dash a Fire" is more hard edged and will keep the hardcore fans happy with the blunted rave stabs and demented vocals while
"Fire" is more funky grime. The versions are the real stars on this
EP. They take you on a journey through version, breakcore, rave culture and unhappy hardcore. This
EP wont convert any more dub fans to The Bug, but may just appeal to some extra listeners.
Sadly, it still wont be played on dancehall radio shows as its just not clean enough.
- ragudave
| Track Listing 1. Fire 2. Fire [Version] 3. Dash a Fire 4. Dash a Version |
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