Album: Heart and Soul
Artist: Jah Wobble
Year: 2007
Genre: Dub Reggae/ World Dub
Label: Sanctuary
Jah Wobble was the bass player for Public Image Ltd. But that was a long time ago. Since then, his focus has been mainly in Dub Reggae and World Music, with the most Punk thing he’s done since being his work with The Damage Manual. This album, Heart & Soul, is a Dub Reggae album to the max. And maybe that’s the problem. I’ve heard a lot of different kinds of music, and am pretty well versed in Reggae and Dub. I actually like Dub a lot, but I don’t really like Jah Wobble doing it by himself. I say “by himself” because not long ago he collaborated with Bill Laswell on a Dub project that, in my opinion, was very successful. Part of that was because it was instrumental, with voice (that wasn’t Jah’s) only used as another instrument. The problem with Heart & Soul is Jah’s voice. It’s not actually about lack of vocal talent, but rather this weird wobble (Ha-HA) effect he’s using on it that causes his voice to be both high and shaky, like Horace Andy, but fake-like. If the whole album was instrumental, it would be fine. Jah’s bass is, as always, brain devouring and excellent. But that damn voice, when it sings words, it’s just unbearable. The occasional weird howling I have no problem with, actual words about the state of the nation, problem. I’m sorry, but aside from the instrumental tracks, and the tracks when he’s not using that damn wobbling effect, fine. But overall, it’s just not that great. Goodish, but not great.
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