*GUEST REVIEW*
Zion Train is a great name for a reggae band.  They are a UK based dub collective who were formed in 1990. I say collective because they are a band with changing membership, operate a record label (Universal Egg) and are also involved in sound systems and magazines.  This is one of their early albums and was undertaken with the Tassili Players in 1993.  The album cover and tracks are a little like the 1980s Scientist releases that were concept dub albums that focused on sporting events.  However, this album is much more roots-based than the output of Scientist.  It is nu roots with significant nods towards dub.  Additionally, Zion Train appear to have a string interest in dance culture.  However, this is more a chill-out room or warm-up music rather than a techno anthem.  This album is nice enough and would work well on a dance floor but is not as distinctive as On-U Sound material and is perhaps too electronic for some tastes.  But it still remains nice and crisp.  A couple of years after this album was released, Zion Train and Dreadzone went on to score well in John Peel’s festive 50.  Zion Train are still going in 2004 and continue to further the dub/nu roots scene in the UK.

Homegrown Fantasy (China, 1995)

*GUEST REVIEW*
I currently own three Zion Train albums. Homegrown Fantasy is the best of the three and their best selling to date. It’s nu dub with a distinctive flavour all of its own. The flavour is positive and upbeat, sample-friendly, and full of energy. It’s trance music that can fill a dance floor, raise a smile while still keeping the dubby sound alive. If you like Dreadzone’s Second Light, then seek this album out. This album can be repetitive and mildly cheesy at times. but it’s worth the listening investment. Reggae fans interested in nu roots and nu dub should investigate A New Wave of Dub Volume 3.

- ragudave

Grow Together (China, 1996)

*GUEST REVIEW*
The sleeve notes of this album make it sound interesting, with the anti-music business sentiment, the merits of artist credibility versus financial gain, and the "soundpool" concept.  The soundpool includes ideas, samples, conversations and collaborations with artists and other individuals.  This sounds like a great way to increase music quality, since it involves diverse artists such as Adrian Sherwood, Ozric Tentacles, Extreme Noise Terror, Timeshard, and Talvin Singh.  Sadly, the album is a significant letdown, with only one track making a listen worthwhile.  That track is a cover of "Babylon's Burning" by The Ruts.  Its unbounded energy makes up for the rest of the album, which threatens to become as middle of the road as M People at times.  Perhaps a more heavyweight production would encourage repeat listens.  In some ways, Zion Train might have been better using the soundpool concept to compile a DJ Rupture or DJ Shadow mix tape.

- ragudave