Anyone who knows me a little knows that I have been an unconditional fan of Adrian Sherwood and his label On-U Sound for almost half a century. If Lee Perry was a genius, then so is this studio wizard, with his impressive catalogue as a producer. In all these years, this is only the third record he has released under his own name, as usual in close collaboration with musicians who have often crossed his path: Brian Eno, Doug Wimbish, Keith Le Blanc, Gaudi, Jazzwad... Google their names and you realise that Sherwood operates in a select club.
That is also the big difference with the deluge of electronic dubs that have seen the light of day in recent decades. We hear real bass and drums, a real flute, a real saxophone, organ and cello, a real trumpet and percussion, a real piano and a vintage Roland 60. And a real harmonica, in ‘Spaghetti Best Western’, Ennio Morricone goes dub. No matter how futuristic On-U Sound sounds, and has always sounded, it is still the human input that elevates the music to a universe beyond category, somewhere in outer space. This time with a little help from AI, says Adrian Sherwood. It seems a logical evolution for a man who has spent his entire life innovating and experimenting with new equipment.
Dub is and remains the basis of On-U Sound, but this album actually only features one track with a recognisable reggae rhythm, ‘Dub Inspector’. The other tracks (with cheerful titles such as ‘Battles Without Honour And Humanity’ and ‘Hiroshima Dub Match’) are carried by lingering bass lines and subtle drum patterns somewhere between jazz, hip hop and psychedelia. Together with his musicians, Sherwood tells a different story each time, creating wonderful little soundtracks, suitable for horror and sci-fi films yet to be made, for dreams and nightmares yet to come. While everything around us collapses, Adrian Sherwood’s On-U Sound remains proudly intact.
Be sure to check out the cool artwork in the video clips and (if, like me, you buy the vinyl record) on the super-cool cover and inner sleeve, designed by Peter Harris.
Adrian Sherwood will present ‘The Collapse Of Everything’ live at Club Wintercircus in Ghent on Friday, February 6, 2026!
Reggae enthusiast since 1977, writing professionally since early 1980s for publications like De Morgen and De Standaard. Founded the website in 2002. Author of two books on reggae culture and history.
October 29, 2025