No Comments Written by Jpeg on October 9, 2008 – 12:09 am

Artist: The Bug

Album: London Zoo

Rating: 8/10

Similar Artists: King Tubby, Madlib, Flying Lotus, Amon Tobin, Aphex Twin, Salmonella Dub, Dub Syndicate

Genre: Dancehall, Dubstep

MySpace: www.myspace.com/thebuguk

Review:
Although the obvious entry point to the album will be the Dub-Step tag, particularly after the success of the three lead up singles: ‘Jah War‘, ‘Skeng‘ and ‘Poison Dart‘ (in that scene). London Zoo is a record that clearly reaches past and brings together/celebrates reference points from dancehall, grime, hip-hop, and noise onslaughts. A record that could have only come out of London sound-system culture but whose appeal spans past any singular city or scene.

From the opening strains of ‘Angry‘ (featuring reggae legend Tippa Irie) it’s clear that the world has been served notice from the heart of the UK capital. A position further strengthened as Ricky Ranking (best known for his work with Roots Manuva), Flowdan, Warrior Queen, Spaceape, Roger Robinson, Killa P, and Aya step up to lay waste to the boombastic rhythms put before them – eventually culminating in ‘Judgement‘ where Ricky Ranking leaves us with a prophecy:
‘…so much people are losing their minds, because we’re living in a serious time. I guess it come in like a judgement sign, the people have killing on their mind.’ … Living in end times indeed. Best start building the Marcus Garvey tug now.