Album Review: Inspiration Information - Horace Andy and Ashley Beedle

Album Review: Inspiration Information - Horace Andy and Ashley Beedle

17 February, 2009
by: Music Team

Beedle's about...but in a good way.  

For those whose reggae knowledge doesn't extend much past a bit of Bob Marley or Musical Youth, Horace Andy is probably best known for his cameos with Massive Attack. From his roots at Studio One to that modern incarnation with Bristol's trip hop godfathers, he has worked with some of the greats, including: Bunny Wailer, Dennis Brown, Mad Professor, John Holt, and Bim Sherman. This quirky release on Strut Records, however, finds him in more unusual company: house DJ, remixer and producer Ashley Beedle. The second in the 'Inspiration Information' series follows on nicely from the Sly and Robbie/Amp Fiddler release of last year.

It's another quality record in what is becoming an increasingly impressive back-catalogue. With the release of the new Grandmaster Flash album, 'The Bridge', this month too, it looks to be a good year for Strut. There's a live, playful feel to this album. It drifts effortlessly through elements of house, reggae, funk and jazz all with a dubby undercurrent. Beedle has created a polished and eclectic backdrop, and I love the sense of space he achieves, but it's very much Horace Andy's voice that takes centre stage.   

Stand out moments are: 'Seek It', which for some reason reminds me of Beverly Hills Cop, 'Rasta Don't', which rocks a dancehall swagger, 'Babylon You Lose', which has Horace's vocals sounding particularly sweet over a straight up steppy dub tune, and 'Hypocrite Dog' which is a great reworking of a Marley classic. In fact the only tunes I didn't like as much were 'The Light', which sounds like 'Turn Your Light Down Low' with Neptunes-esque breakdowns. It just doesn't hang together quite right. The other let down is the other cover on the album, The Rolling Stone's 'Angie'. Horace's voice actually really suits the song but I felt the instrumental left something to be desired.   

All in all this is a good album. Ashley Beedle has done a decent job on the controls, there are parts that don't work so well, but in the main the music is really nicely stripped down, funky and warm. Horace Andy is a living legend and owner of one of the most recognisable voices in music. Lyrically, he is on good form on this album, full of wisdom and positive energy. It's a sunny album, one for festival fields: roll on Spring.

Tom Oleson

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Music Team