29/01/2008
Trojan vs Rawfusion
Cargo, London
25 January 2008
If you haven't copped a sneak preview of Simbad's soon-to-be-released-in-the-UK-after-much-prevarication 'Supersonic Revelations' you have a treat of the highest order in store. It's an amazing journey to the outer limits of future soul, with all manner of stuttering, syncopated and dub-inflected joy in between. An interesting proposition to juxtapose this man against the mighty Trojan Soundsystem, renowned for its quality reggae output delivered with a veteran swagger.
Simbad, part of Mad Mat's Raw Fusion crew – the label putting out his debut – played a set steeped deep in the spirit of his album, with a bit of madness thrown into the mix. It was in his second set that he really found his groove, throwing in some filthy dub-step and deliciously off-kilter beats.
Interspersed, the Trojan boys did what they do best, digging up the requisite reggae flavour and attitude; but the leap between the two camps felt a little extreme. On their own, it was perfect, but together, it jarred. Collaboration can be a beautiful thing when it works, but when that's not the case, the set-up has the danger of coming across just a little diluted. Words: Helene Dancer
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