News: On-U Sound reissue Singers & Players' - "War Of Words"

Whether it be The Clash covering ‘Police & Thieves’, DJ Don Letts spinning reggae at the Roxy or Steel Pulse opening for The Stranglers, dub reggae has been associated with the punk rock scene, in the UK, USA and beyond, since at least as far back as 1977. The influence, and shared experiences (for starters punks and rastas were both seen as social, and to a certain extent, musical outcasts) are well documented. Despite initial reservations – apparently Jnr. Murvin claimed The Clash has destroyed his song – it was almost inevitable that the two tribes would unite, not only as the anti-racist movement ‘Rock Against Racism’, but also on disc as collaborators, influencing and infiltrating each other’s scene…

Originally released in 1981 via the 99Records label, ‘Singers & Players : War of Words’, featuring Bim Sheman on lead vocals, a combination of top Jamaican deejays, and musicians – Prince Far I and Jah Woosh, and band members from the Arabs and Roots Radics – playing alongside some of the foremost London punk / post-punk luminaries – The Clash, Ari Up (The Slits) and Keith Levene (PiL) – proves to be a valuable document of the times, showing how the intrinsic link between Jamaican dub and punk transcends beyond mere influence and shared dance halls.

Good news is that this crucial recording is set to be re-released next month and will swiftly be followed by a 10” pressing ‘War Of Version’ featuring previously unreleased tracks from the War Of Words studio sessions; including the never before heard, Calling Over The Distant Sea, by Prince Far I. Both the album and the EP have been produced by On-U stalwart Adrian Sherwood, and both have been re-mastered and re-cut at Dubplates & Mastering Berlin to ensure the bass is as deep as is physically possible.