The great man meeting up with the American big-band, the Either/Orchestra — rehearsals, interviews, and finally a joint performance at the 2006 Banlieues Bleues Festival.
Vintage Tikiman. Instrumentalist, singer and producer; laying back in both analogue and digital settings.
‘Perhaps the first time he has chosen to showcase the full range of his skills. The set is intoxicatingly rich and, with a couple of exceptions, largely downbeat… Sonically there’s much more variation — if not in the pace of the riddims, then certainly the instrumentation and textures — making it St. Hilaire’s most approachable album for non-dub-techno aficionados… A modern master whose importance and influence can now — though long overdue — be fully recognised’ ((Steve Barker, The Wire).
Tikiman running full range, from the spoken-word dread of What’s This to the Rhythm & Sound-style call-to-action of Send Them On.
Nine dazzling collaborations with Mala, Shinichi Atobe, Batu, Azu Tiwaline, Gavsborg, and full crew.
With Stanley Clarke, Cecil McBee, Eddie Henderson, Carlos Garnett, Gary Bartz and Buster Williams.
Like a dream, but authoritatively, this remix from Jamaica magnificently crosses the Afrobeat of Fela Kuti with the grounation reggae tradition of Count Ossie.
Pressed on vinyl for the first time.
‘A marvellous set of jazz reggae instrumentals… a unique entry of super cool amid the chaos of the On-U catalogue’ (Steve Barker, The Wire).
‘Beckett’s genius is that he is always true to himself, whoever he performs with. His effervescent, tumbling, improvised melodies never fail to lift the spirits.The Modern Sound Of Harry Beckett is a magnificent sonic treat.’ The Guardian.
‘Sherwood’s production style strikes a perfect balance here between sonic creativity and respectful restraint, and Beckett himself is brilliant, creating horn lines that weave and insinuate themselves through the grooves rather than riding on top of them. Established On-U Sound fans will find this to be an enjoyable curiosity; Harry Beckett fans may find it revelatory’ (All Music).