The Frightnrs, “More to Say Versions”Available: Friday, Oct. 20, via Daptone Records as a digital download in MP3, FLAC and WAV formats. There is currently no plan for compact disc versions and the vinyl versions are now available for pre-order in limited runs. Opaque purple vinyl LPs are limited to 300 and the standard black vinyl LP is only getting a run of 3,000. Both LP versions have a snappy psychedelic 3D cover with custom Frightnrs 3D glasses included.
Back in December, I submitted a late review for one of my favorite records of 2016, The Frightnrs debut album on Daptone Records, “Nothing More to Say.” Next week we are fortunate enough to see the release get a proper dub mix by producer Victor “Ticklah” Axelrod.
For context: As a formative teen, a freshman in college, I came upon a garage sale in Lawrence, Kansas, where a trove of scrawled-on cassette tapes were being sold for next to nothing. I recognized some of the names, thanks to my best friend’s father, a German with impeccable taste in music. Turns out they were audio recorded straight to cassette from scratchy LPs, LPs by two of the most legendary dub reggae artists of all time: King Tubby and Augustus Pablo. Dub Reggae, for those unsure of the difference, is a subgenre of reggae itself, where original recordings are manipulated and vocals are removed, often resulting in an entirely new, often instrumental, version of a pre-existing song. So now, one of my favorite records from last year is getting a proper dub mix. To be totally honest, I’m almost more excited for this version than I was the proper release. I prefer dub versions of reggae tunes due to my affinity for instrumental music in general. These are going to be a treat for those the dug The Frightnrs debut, or for those that enjoy instrumental music of this nature, period.
Recommended for pre-existing fans of The Frightnrs but also the likes of Desmond Dekkar, Toots & The Maytals, The Specials, and The Selecter. Also recommended for those that dig the dub stylings of the great King Tubby, Augustus Pablo or Lee “Scratch” Perry.
Jon E. Lynch[email protected]
