Pure Thrill Seekers

A fairly straightforward outing for the sometimes otherworldly band, Pure Thrill Seekers is Dub Syndicate's most contemporary Jamaican-sounding album yet, thanks in no small part to their guests. Minus the occasional freaky stutter, spoken word samples, and a harmonica solo that recalls their On-U brothers Little Axe, Pure Thrill Seekers is the album least touched by the quirky hands of producer Adrian Sherwood. He shares a mixing credit with the great Scientist, but this is Dub Syndicate leader Style Scott's album mostly, and the drummer has been pretty laid-back and leading the island life as of late from the sounds of it. The great "Guns & Cocaine Crime" betrays its gritty title with a breezy beat and ethereal samples that could accompany the slow swing of any hammock. That doesn't mean the album is without teeth. Scott's crew have traded quirky tape loops for the conscious and deep lyrics of Luciano and Gregory Isaacs, who gets both a lovers rock track and a beat-down conscious number. Isaac also figures into "Private Dub," an instrumental version of the singer's massive "Night Nurse," and the glittery/druggy duality of the singer's late-'90s-and-on albums is the spirit throughout. The underappreciated Cornel Campbell delivers the sweet "Tricks," and the straight dub tracks are all good groovers, this time lightly dusted with freaky and spacy instead of entirely coated. While the cover is better suited for some crap dance collection, Pure Thrill Seekers is a satisfying, easygoing album for Dub Syndicate fans that always wished they'd put out something for uncluttered afternoons. ~ David Jeffries, Rovi