Bass Is Maternal

Amazon.com
Long credited as trailblazers of the sound that Portishead, Massive Attack, and Tricky made famous, this reissue of Smith & Mighty's landmark debut, Bass Is Maternal, stands as a testament to their incredible influence and heritage. As the predecessors of the famed Bristol scene, Smith & Mighty set a blueprint: a precise convergence of dub, reggae, hip hop, jungle, and techno, later deemed "trip-hop." Recorded in 1989, Bass proved prophetic, featuring several tracks that showcase a smattering of sped-up breakbeats backed by a throbbing sub-bass, years before that sound officially emerged as "jungle." Utilizing moaning echoes and skittering beats that seem to slide sideways, "Jungle Man Corner," "Drowning," and the title track all eerily foreshadow the future. --Tricia Romano

Product Description
Re-Release of the First Album. Rob Smith & Ray Mighty, the Two Masterminds Behind the Sound-Aesthetic of the Smith & Mighty Sound System Originally Recorded this Collection in 1989 When Drum N Bass was Merely a Seed in the Minds of Its Progenitors.

Tracks:

Hold On (Strange Mix)
Jungle Man Corner
Closer
Walking
Evolve
Drowning
Accept All Contrasts
Bass Is Maternal
Down in Rwanda
Higher Dub
Maybe for Dub
Time
U Dub
Yow He Koh
Odd Tune for Piano

Amazon.com

Long credited as trailblazers of the sound that Portishead, Massive Attack, and Tricky made famous, this reissue of Smith & Mighty's landmark debut, Bass Is Maternal, stands as a testament to their incredible influence and heritage. As the predecessors of the famed Bristol scene, Smith & Mighty set a blueprint: a precise convergence of dub, reggae, hip hop, jungle, and techno, later deemed "trip-hop." Recorded in 1989, Bass proved prophetic, featuring several tracks that showcase a smattering of sped-up breakbeats backed by a throbbing sub-bass, years before that sound officially emerged as "jungle." Utilizing moaning echoes and skittering beats that seem to slide sideways, "Jungle Man Corner," "Drowning," and the title track all eerily foreshadow the future. --Tricia Romano

Album Details

Re-Release of the First Album. Rob Smith & Ray Mighty, the Two Masterminds Behind the Sound-Aesthetic of the Smith & Mighty Sound System Originally Recorded this Collection in 1989 When Drum N Bass was Merely a Seed in the Minds of Its Progenitors.

Customer Reviews:

When it's loud I feel safer, too!.......2000-07-27

I'll be the first to admit that this CD is not as good as their DJ Kicks release or Big World, Small World, but who really cares? It's still a really good listen and gives you insight into how their sound has progressed. The only reason this album sounds a little tired and dated compared to their other ones is because this album really is from another era anyway, and it's not their fault we're only now getting to hear it. Love the My Bloody Valentine-esque backwards guitar loops on the opening track. The title track just plain kicks even if it does sound less than totally fresh at this point. Judge this album on its own merits without worrying too much about how it fits into the current musical landscape and you won't be disappointed.

Excellent.......2000-06-22

I've been looking for this classic release for years without any luck. I'm a hardcore Dub fan but lately I've been listening to a little drum n' bass and funky beats. I'm always looking forward for a new Smith & Mighty release and I must say that this CD is solid. Deep Dub influenced Basslines fused into the funky beats and some great vocals makes this a must have for any Smith & Mighty and More Rockers Fan. This is the roots of Smith & Mighty at their classical best!

In lieu of DJ Kicks and BWSW, I was disappointed.......2000-06-14

This is Smith & Mighty's debut album, originally released in 1995. Apparently it has been re-released as of June 2000. I'm really not sure why they bothered. This album is a mixed bag if there ever was one. The album starts out with what sounds like a record playing backwards beats. This drags on for about four minutes, and has no musical qualities at all. The second track is one of my favorites. With out it and "Down In Rwanda", this album would not even be considered 'dub'. It has some interesting change-ups and grooves well but overall is rather repetative. Unfortunately, Rob and Ray decide to stray from this, and the rest of the album is off and on. Track three really gets you excited and it seems as though this is where the album will really take off. However, this track doesn't really go anywhere. They seem to get stuck on a few ideas that never develop. The next five tracks seem to struggle for something that never manifests. I found myself suddenly noticing that a track had just ended, however I couldn't remember much of what I'd just been listening to. It just doesn't grab you. The pinnacle of the album is probably tracks 9 - 11, and then the last four tracks just kind of fart around, and never really go anywhere. Whereas DJ Kicks and BWSW are the kind of albums that I stop what I'm doing to really get into, this album would best serve as the background music for doing something more important. I recommend this album only for hardcore smith & mighty fans like myself. I say this because from this album you can gain insight into where the guys have come from musically, and compare it with where they are now. When you look at it that way, you really begin to appreciate how much they've grown musically over the last five years. I expect the future albums from smith & mighty to only get better. As I said before, I don't know what possesed them to re-release this album. If I were them, I don't think I'd want to remind people of it.

Album Review:

Album Review

album review

Album Review

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