Flying Vipers - Off World (Music ADD Records/Easy Star Records)

Whereas in the past Flying Vipers focused exclusively on instrumental compositions and dub, for ‘Off World’ they brought vocalist Kellee Webb on board, marking a new chapter in the band’s evolution. 

As the album title suggests, ‘Off World’ takes listeners on a nine-track journey through outer space. In addition to six original compositions, the track list features three remarkable cover versions. 

‘No One Wants An Alien’ is a reggae reimagining of the 1983 track by American punk band Wipers. 

For ‘La Planète Sauvage’, Flying Vipers enlisted jazz harpist Brandee Younger. The track is a compelling rework of the theme from the 1973 French-Czechoslovak animated sci-fi film of the same name, directed by René Laloux and based on the novel ‘Oms En Série’ by Stefan Wul. The cover art by Texas-based visual artist Jaime ‘Zu’ Zuverza also seems to echo Laloux’s distinctive illustration style. 

And then there’s ‘Outer Spaceways Inc.’, possibly the first dub-infused reggae take on a Sun Ra track. 

Finally, for ‘Make Ah Move’, Flying Vipers brought Jamaican veteran Ranking Joe into the studio. 

Top-notch album from an American reggae band we wholeheartedly recommend you check out!