Paolo Baldini DubFiles - In The Shell (La Tempesta Dischi)

Unlike his earlier works, which primarily focused on dub-heavy (post-)production in the Jamaican tradition, for ‘In The Shell’ Baldini decided to start from scratch.

The 10 or 12 tracks on the album (depending on whether it’s the vinyl or CD version) are built on a series of recordings and samples of ethnic sounds he captured in West Africa, particularly in Senegal. These influences are especially evident in tracks like ‘Big And Bad’ featuring Mellow Mood or ‘Ticking Bomb’, again with Mellow Mood, but also with contributions from Zacky Man and Lasai. Baldini used these elements to create a hybrid sonic collage, transcending the borders of dub and reggae, and serving more as an exploration of the entire spectrum of Black Caribbean music.

It wasn’t until the instrumental foundation was complete that Baldini sought out suitable vocalists. On the one hand, he collaborated with international artists like Kabaka Pyramid (‘Nice And Easy’, one of the more traditional reggae tracks in the track list), Anthony B (the powerful stepper ‘Deep Meditation’), Queen Omega (the even more forceful ‘You’re Not Alone’), and 5 Star Celestial (featured together with Bleue, whom we still remembered from her work with Pura Vida, in ‘Sunlight’). On the other hand, he tapped into his inner circle, with familiar faces like Jules I (the excellent ‘Praises Be’), Forelock, Andrew I (the dancehall-infused ‘Mata Mata’), and, most notably, Mellow Mood, who appear an impressive five times.

With ‘In The Shell’, Paolo Baldini reaffirms his position as the grandmaster of the Italian reggae and dub scene!